Srinagar opens zero-carbon park with vintage tractors, jeeps as planters

A 1970s-era tractor manufactured by HMT Ltd and a vintage jeep from the Jammu and Kashmir Garages Department now serve as planters in Srinagar's inaugural zero-carbon recreational garden, which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah opened on Friday.

The waste-to-wonder park, situated in the Polo View area of central Srinagar, runs entirely on solar power and features installations donated rather than purchased, according to Masooma Banoo, Director of Floriculture, Kashmir. "We tried to use abandoned vehicles like jeeps, wooden ticket posts and tonga (horse-driven cart) from the pre-70s as installations in the garden," Ms. Banoo told The Hindu.

Recycled heritage as garden décor

Among the repurposed items are a pre-1970 ticket counter from the famous Chashme Shahi Garden, a vintage Ambassador car, a classic Kashmiri tonga, floral boats and scooters, old tyres and other reclaimed objects. The garden welcomes additional donations from residents willing to contribute installations.

Nearly 90% of construction materials came from recycling and refurbishment rather than fresh procurement, officials said. The site provides green space for the congested Barbar Shah and Maisuma neighbourhoods.

Free plants with a promise

The garden launched a "Take a plant and make a promise" initiative, distributing free succulents, caladiums and hanging varieties to locals who pledge to care for them at home. "We want locals, especially women and children, to use the park to enjoy the installations and learn about the flower varieties of Kashmir," Ms. Banoo said.

Plant selection follows a bloom-succession schedule designed to keep the garden visually active from spring through late autumn. Kashmir has 271 gardens in total, with roughly 93 in Srinagar.

Waste awareness at the core

Mr. Abdullah said the initiative aimed to promote recycling, reuse and public awareness about plastic waste. "The message of the garden was to encourage responsible reuse and prevent plastic waste from ending up in drains," he said. The garden follows the principles of Reduce, Recycle and Reuse, positioning itself as a model for resource-efficient and sustainable landscaping.

Source: The Hindu