On a cozy Golden Hour in February, Lal Bagh invited us for a walk. At a leisurely pace, we checked out its clear lake and the diverse habitat. Many water birds such as egrets and herons casually took in the afternoon sun and fully used the islands of vegetation on the lake.
Rows of Sapota trees full of fruit lined the sides as we made our way to the north end of the park. Huge but elegant Bombax Ceiba (Kapok) trees put on a welcoming show to its admirers. Eucalyptus leaves draped over us inviting us to take a whiff of it’s medicinal scent.
One brownish yellow necked egret stood really still for as long as it was in our sight. It seemed overkill as there were plenty of fish in the lake. Read the room, buddy.
Native Trees from Australia, Mexico, West Africa, Bolivia among more line one’s walk, reflecting the cosmopolitan legacy of the garden.
Mangifera Indica put on a silent show underplaying it’s true power over the populace. It will hold sway over people’s palates in a few months time.
The glass house has less glass and more air. It’s waiting for better times for urban dwellers to visit and for the roses to put on a show.
For a city of 12.6 million urban population, the park was strangely empty. Are people too busy to enjoy an oasis in the urban concrete desert? pc: Jayashree Krishnan
