A promising civic initiative designed to nurture Nagpur’s green lungs has seemingly withered away due to administrative neglect and lack of public awareness. The ‘Udyan Mitra’ programme, launched by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in September 2024, had aimed to engage citizens in the development and upkeep of city parks. However, after an initial flurry of enthusiasm, the initiative now stands forgotten. The NMC, which oversees 182 public gardens, including 26 major parks and 156 smaller ones, had appointed volunteers as Udyan Mitras with the objective of involving local citizens in nature conservation. Each Udyan Mitra was expected to operate within a 2-kilometre radius of a designated park, ensuring its proper functioning and reporting issues to the Garden Department. Their responsibilities were wide-ranging: daily cleanliness, supervision of greenery, upkeep of green gyms and play areas, inspecting fountains, recommending improvements, and aiding in park construction.

 

These citizen volunteers were also meant to attend monthly meetings and relay their feedback to the Garden Superintendent, Amol Chourpagar. Unfortunately, the momentum of the scheme appears to have stalled. While ID cards were distributed to Udyan Mitras and roles were assigned, coordination between them remained minimal. Worse still, most citizens are unaware of who their local Udyan Mitras are or how to approach them with park-related concerns. “The programme had immense potential,” said one concerned resident. “It offered a channel for direct involvement in community green spaces, but after the initial push, it was all forgotten.” A senior NMC official acknowledged the dormancy of the initiative, attributing it to staffing challenges.

 

“We are waiting for new staff appointments. Currently, our workforce is entirely on contract. Once recruitment is completed in the next 2-3 months, we will revive the Udyan Mitra programme,” he assured. In the meantime, the consequences are visible. Several parks have slipped into neglect. Instances of unauthorised activities, roaming animals, and poor sanitation are increasingly common, conditions that could have been avoided with active local oversight. As the city expands, safeguarding green spaces becomes more critical than ever. The revival of the Udyan Mitra initiative may not only improve park maintenance but also rekindle a spirit of civic participation among Nagpurians.