Sourav Van Vihar is located in the beautiful town of Palampur, Himachal Pradesh; it is one of the many unknown quantities which have eventually become one of the favourite favorite recent green zones of the region. From an empty piece of land, the site has over the years grown to be a home to wildlife and human beings. However, the growth from the small garden, it is at present, to the heavenly park has not been a piece of cake.
Indeed, the genesis of Sourav Van Vihar started way back in the year 2000 when few officials of the Palampur Municipal Council and few enthusiastic ecological minds opined that the nearly baron piece of land at the outskirts of Palampur awaiting its guest. The area was largely left unutilized and there were few signs that it could turn into a dazzling park of any kind. But using devises and imaginations, the idea was set—for a natural area, for the residence and tourist, to find some nature as well as, to support the native animals.
It was not just a question of planting trees which would then be left on their own; it was about building an ecosystem where native plant and animal species would be welcome. This was not a short-term investment, it was going to take time, and planning as any careful strategist can tell you.
Several years of persistence saw the Sourav Van Vihar transformed to a new look. The first was to introduce plants in their natural state at the workplace. It was a desert and there was no enough foliage, common and trees to maintain an active park. Thus they sowed trees more cautiously, native seeds were used and sown depending on the climatic condition and the type of soil found in the region. Since then, trees evolved to become strong, tall, and developed into the canopy that sets Tapestry’s theme in the park.
Another piece of the puzzle was wildlife. It was not just about planting but developing a balanced environment of green at Sourav Van Vihar for birds and people alike. Different types of birds, insects and small animals were released making the park a busy one for various wild animals. Gradually, it turned into a wildlife bustle, with birds flying on the trees and sometimes squirrels jumping on trees.
The establishment if the park was however not something that could be achieved overnight, there was a lot of struggles. Starting with proper watering and ending with the problem of weed development, there were a lot of challenges on the way. But yes, with time, Sourav Van Vihar the name evolved into home for not only nature but also for the community.
Today, Sourav Van Vihar park means much more, it serves more as a shelter for anyone who would wish to come. The park is planned in a way that there are meandering pathways, that may be used for jogging or a brisk morning walk or in fact, simply relax for some time. This was found perfect for those moments of stillness especially when the chimps are under tall trees, chirpings adds to the silence and tranquility.
This is a place where people go for weekends, having children playing around and people jogging, walking being free from the noises of the city. Any given day one can catch families having their lunch, residents walking on those trails or tourists drawing in fresh mountain air. Another bonus for people who like nature; the park where the memorial is located is very calm, which leads to people relaxing and thinking about something.
To the children, Sourav Van Vihar is an institution of play school like education center. This place has different types of plants and animals for exhibition and thus the best place where students can learn all that nature requires in practice. Many local school take their students to the park as a teaching tool in their environmental and conservation lessons.
What sets Sourav Van Vihar apart, however, is the facility’s potential to operate as a centre for environmental education. The park has lately turned into a model of living green life in Palampur. They can educate themselves about the subtleties of maintaining such a park, for example, how native inhabitant species are important to the environment, or how the water supply helps support the green areas.
From rain water collection to waste management the park has been sensitive to environment conservation over the years and has set an example to other parks in the region. It may be noted that through adopting the concept of sustainability the discussed park not only grows but also serves as an example of sustainable behaviour in the context of environmental preservation.
For those interested in conservation it is much more than just a park; it is Sourav Van Vihar. They themselves give living example of what can be done if communities work together for the protection of the nature. It’s a message that the globe can improve simply, we just have to learn to make a small area of land accessible for more living entities to thrive in.
As with any long term business strategy, the journey has not been without challenges on the way to this successful destination. These are the challenges of managing the growth of the park, funding the management of the new development and maintaining the balance or interface of the maasai mara ecosystem and the intruding human interference. They have experienced occasional tourist pressure, constant invasion by other species, and occasional climate change that helps determine their levels of invasiveness.
However, through proper management and implementation of relationship with community groups, all these challenges have been dealt with. Year after year, the park becomes even more robust and adapts to the requirements for both the nature of the park and for those who utilize it.
The further growth of Sourav Van Vihar is still a story waiting to be written. For the future, there is a plan on broaden the understanding of visitors and introduce new activities for them. There is also an emphasis on increasing the species diversity through out planting of native plant and animal species.
This park will also go on providing general information on the nonviolent relationship between man and the environment. Its future looks bright, bright for Palampur and for any man who has faith in the parks as introducing men and improving the quality of nature around us.
Sourav Van Vihar has taught us that if we wish to nurture a plant or a tree with a genuine intention, we will be paid in multiples. The park has in fact become an asset of Palampur and like any young growing garden will shape generations of protection of this lovely world. Whether you go there for morning walk or to learn about the concepts of wildlife conservation from Sourav Van Vihar, I believe it will always provide something for everyone; a break from the normalities of life and experience the simplicity of existence.
