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Botanical Garden
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For instance, visiting a place that is definitely several degrees cooler than the rest of Pondicherry. Though located in the heart of the town, it is an island of peace and quiet. Wonder where it is? Well, it is the 22-acre Pondicherry Botanical Garden, a green retreat, quite a contrast from the hot and polluted roads in the rest of the town.
What better place could there be to chill out and that too at no cost. (There is no entrance fee.) And what does one do inside the garden? Take a nap, stroll about, listen to the birds (a rare thing in Pondicherry), enjoy the cool breeze and learn a thing or two about the trees and plants.
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Educational experience
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Yes, a visit to the 178-year-old garden is not just entertaining but also an educational experience. This has become possible after the Department of Agriculture started putting up signs all over with the botanical names, Tamil names and common names of the trees, plants and shrubs.
It is, at present, in the process of putting up more signs that will inform visitors about the uses of each tree, the amount of oxygen it gives out and its medicinal value.
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Notable one in east coast
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It is the only botanical garden of its kind on the east coast of India. And it contains a mix of species from all over the country, both endangered and otherwise. At present, the authorities are in the third phase of reviving and conserving the garden, a process which involves creating new attractions.
such as parks for children, areas where herbs will be grown, a place for meditation, an aquatic garden and a rock garden which will be home to a variety of cacti.
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Interpretation centre
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According to sources in the Department of Agriculture, the garden is divided into 28 plots for the sake of convenience, each with a separate theme. Of the 28 plots, 16 are being developed as forest plots, and the rest into different parks. Since 2003, around 215 species have been added to the garden.
Through an Interpretation Centre which is in the process of being established, seeds will be given to other gardens and links maintained with other botanical gardens in the country.
The Botanical Garden is already linked to the Royal Botanical Garden in Kolkata and Lal Bagh in Bangalore. It will soon have a documentation centre, a library and an eco exhibition for children, with touch and see models.
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History of garden
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The garden was developed by the French settlement in Pondicherry in 1826. It was started as an experimental plot to ascertain the crops that could be cultivated in the region. Gradually, trees were planted.
All credit goes to Perrottet who is largely responsible for transforming the place into a botanical garden in 1831. His memorial still exists inside the premises. In 1960, after the Transfer of Power from the French, the garden became the centre of horticultural development in Pondicherry.
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Flower shows
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As of 1978, the Government has been organising a flower show here to promote ornamental gardening in the Union Territory. However, the show has been shifted since outside the garden. After the devastating cyclone in 1999, the garden is being revamped in phases, based on the recommendations of an expert committee.
Every year at the month of february flower shows coul be conducted in this garden. Those three days many farms place their stalls offer plants for half the market rate.Farmers also display their farms productions.
Many competetions were conducted during this flower show.
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Childrens entertainer
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Really this botanical garden is a good entertainer to children. One toy train is there, it roams around the entire park. It passes tunnels, bridges, waterfalls etc. Really every children will enjoy the journey with toy train.
Ticket cost is also very less, one rupee for childrens and 2 rupees for adults.
Aquarium:
Aquarium is also there in this garden maintained by state fisheries department.It contains all type of fishes .You have to pay 2 rupees to visit aquarium.
Dancing Fountain :
There is also a place for dancing fountain in this 22 acre garden.It is operated in the evening time. Better to visit in week ends.
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Jawahar balbhavan
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Inside the garden jawahar bhalbhavan is there. Here childrens can learn fine arts like drawing, music, dance etc.Childrens can also practice marsal arts like karathe. Classes are conducted during evenings and week ends.
Childrens can learn fine arts and marshal arts from balbhavan without disturding their school timings and studies.
Quick Links to Other Tourist Places :
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