Himachal: Panchvati parks for senior citizens to bond, unwind, says Kanwar

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Govt has set up Panchavati Parks, an exclusive space for connecting senior citizens to nature, providing access to physical activity opportunities, and serving as a safe space for making social connections at no cost.
The state govt has started an ambitious project named as “Panchavati Park” since the year 2020 under which 4 to 6 parks would be set up in lush green land in all 90 blocks of the state where the senior citizens can unwind and work out in a lush green environment near their homes aimed at light cardio workouts and gentle strength training to promote healthy ageing, said Virender Kanwar Minister for Rural Development.
A total of 518 park sites have been identified in the state for setting up parks dedicated exclusively to senior citizens till today. So far work on setting up parks on 284 sites is in full swing while 57 senior citizens’ parks have been set up in the state so far. Around 200 Panchwati Parks will be set up in different parts of the state during the current financial year by spending a sum of Rs 9 lakhs on each park.
Each Park will benefit around 50,000 in rural areas by keeping ageing populations healthy for longer than ever before. The state govt has spent a sum of Rs 1566.57 lakhs on the construction of Panchvati Parks in the state since the year 2020 and a sum of Rs 18 crore will be spent on the construction of these parks in the state during the current financial year said Mr. Virender Kanwar Minister for Rural Development.
In first, each park will have state-of-the-art exercise and recreational equipment intended to improve fitness and balance – targeting areas that typically show decline with age. Each Park will have — one metre wide and 150 metres long stone pitched jogging track, walking tracks, an exclusive space for yoga and meditation classes, and solar lights among other amenities like ladies, gents’ toilets, and flower beds. etc where senior citizens especially those living in remote/tribal and backward areas will be able to spend their time fruitfully.
The parks will be spread over an area of around one bigha with the convergence of MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission (G) and Finance Commission. The park offers soft adventurous activities, a joggers’ track; walking path; amphitheater; an educational and interactive garden with medicinal, aromatic and flowering plants; and also stretches of Green Neem or Pipal Trees along its periphery said Sh Virender Kanwar Minister for Rural Development
In a first, each park will have state-of-the-art exercise and recreational equipment — one metre wide and 150 metres long stone pitched jogging track, walking tracks, an exclusive space for yoga and meditation classes, and solar lights among other amenities like ladies’, gents’ toilets, flower beds. etc. where senior citizens especially those living in remote/tribal and backward areas will be able to spend their time fruitfully.
Each park will have Benches, Land Scaping, Flower Bed, Boundry Wall or Fencing around the Park, Ladies & Gents’ Toilet, Dustbins, Exercise Equipment & Recreational Equipment, stone pitched paths. Ayurvedic and medicinal plants such as amla, neem, tulsi and aloe vera and shade grass (lawn), will be grown in the parks to beautify them for health-conscious citizens besides other basic amenities for aged people.
These parks will also be used for the promotion of sales of local products of Self-Help Groups to generate additional economic activity and employment avenues at the village level. These parks will be set up by experts from rural development departments in the land areas ranging from one bigha to two bighas in all 90 blocks of the state while their upkeep and maintenance will be managed by local Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Park areas in higher hills or tribal areas will be approximately one bigha while in Plain lower areas the Garden area can be extended up to two bigha or beyond depending on identification or availability of suitable land in the region, said Minister. (UNI)