Will HM Shah Inaugurate DDA's Kite Festival at Baansera Today?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
In New Delhi, on January 16, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to kick off the third International Kite Festival organized by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at the scenic Baansera grasslands located on the Yamuna floodplains near Sarai Kale Khan in the heart of the capital.
Attending the ceremony will be Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena, who will serve as the Guest of Honour, alongside Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
According to DDA Vice-Chairman N. Saravana Kumar, the inauguration will commence at Birsa Munda Chowk in Baansera around noon on Friday, as part of a three-day celebration.
The DDA had opened the restored grasslands for public visits in August 2024, inviting residents to enjoy the revitalized area.
On Thursday, L-G Saxena praised the DDA’s efforts in a post on social media platform X, sharing a video showcasing the transformation of the land, captioned, "Baansera -- From Degradation to Restoration as a Green Oasis."
He emphasized, "Inspired by PM Narendra Modi Ji's vision to restore 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land in the country by 2030, we initiated our efforts in Delhi on May 28, 2022, shortly after I assumed office as L-G."
The L-G described how he envisioned Baansera during a visit to a severely polluted area along the Yamuna, opposite Sarai Kale Khan on the Ring Road. He noted that the project not only involved restoration but also reclamation and transformation within just 18 months, thanks to the dedicated work of the Delhi Development Authority.
Characterizing the DDA as the guardian of the Yamuna floodplains, L-G Saxena stated, "Today, Baansera boasts around 30,000 bamboo trees, each exceeding 30 feet in height, along with various indigenous trees and a lush landscape filled with grass, flowers, and water bodies, making it a remarkable new recreational spot and ecological treasure in Delhi."
Once a polluted wasteland buried under tons of garbage and construction debris, Baansera has now become an oasis, featuring bamboo that produces 30 percent more oxygen than other trees while rejuvenating the soil.
The park now hosts a variety of social and cultural events, including the Kite Festival, yoga sessions, and musical evenings. Baansera exemplifies the extraordinary healing of the Yamuna floodplain, showcasing improved soil health and a richer environment. The L-G urged all residents of Delhi to explore the Baansera park.