New Delhi, Jan 15 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will officially open the third International Kite Festival organized by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at the Baansera grasslands on the Yamuna floodplains near Sarai Kale Khan in the capital tomorrow, as confirmed by an official on Thursday.

The event will feature Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena as the Guest of Honour, alongside Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

N. Saravana Kumar, the Vice-Chairman of the DDA, mentioned in the invitation for the three-day festival that the inauguration is scheduled to take place at Birsa Munda Chowk in Baansera around noon.

In August 2024, the DDA opened the restored grasslands at Baansera, inviting citizens to enjoy the revitalized area on the Yamuna floodplains near Sarai Kale Khan.

The L-G praised the hard work of DDA officials in a post on the social media platform X, sharing a video showcasing the area's transformation, captioned 'Baansera -- From Degradation to Restoration as a Green Oasis'.

Inspired by PM Narendra Modi's ambitious vision to restore 2.6 crore hectares of degraded land nationwide by 2030, we embarked on this initiative in Delhi on May 28, 2022, shortly after I became L-G, he stated.

During a visit to a previously polluted stretch along the Yamuna opposite Sarai Kale Khan on the Ring Road, the concept for Baansera, a haven of bamboos, was born. The revitalization has resulted in significant reclamation and transformation over just 18 months, attributed to the dedicated efforts of the Delhi Development Authority @official_dda, remarked L-G Saxena in his post.

Characterizing the DDA as the guardian of the Yamuna floodplains in Delhi, the L-G expressed, 'Today, with around 30,000 bamboo trees towering over 30 feet, alongside other indigenous flora and a picturesque landscape filled with greenery, flowers, and water bodies, Baansera has emerged as a distinctive recreational hub and an ecological marvel in Delhi.'

He further noted, 'This initial effort signifies a substantial leap toward enhancing Delhi's botanical variety. Baansera is now a fertile ground for the renowned Lakadong Turmeric from Meghalaya and blooming tulips.'

Once an unpleasant area buried under tons of garbage and construction debris, Baansera has now transformed into a lush oasis, featuring bamboo plants that produce 30% more oxygen than typical trees while improving the degraded soil, according to L-G Saxena.

The park now boasts new water bodies, undulating grassy lawns, and amenities such as a restaurant, a musical fountain, walking trails, and a children's play area, which welcomed visitors yesterday.

The park is now the venue for social and cultural activities, including the Kite Festival, yoga sessions, and musical events. Baansera symbolizes the remarkable recovery of the Yamuna floodplain through enhanced soil health and a richer environment, reaffirming the belief that ecosystems can be rejuvenated through gentle natural processes. I urge all residents of Delhi to explore Baansera Park,' the L-G concluded.