Reviving Green Spaces: Delhi's Innovative Gardener Scheme

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has reintroduced a scheme to tackle the shortage of gardeners. Resident Welfare Associations will receive financial aid to hire gardeners, with the scheme based on a Public-Private Partnership model. This initiative aims to enhance park maintenance and improve green spaces in the capital.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has reintroduced a scheme to combat the gardener shortage affecting the capital's parks, officials announced on Friday. The scheme involves Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) receiving Rs 13,500 per acre to hire a 'mali' (gardener) for park upkeep.

Under the Public-Private Partnership model, the initiative was revived last week by the civic body's horticulture department, following its initial launch prior to the 2022 municipal corporation merger. Different policies on financial aids were uniformed, adopting the South Delhi rate of Rs 13,500 per acre.

The scheme promises free compost to RWAs and payment after verification of park maintenance efforts. Currently, the MCD maintains over 15,000 parks but struggles with staffing, relying on outsourcing and a welfare measure scheme.

(With inputs from agencies.)