Agra's zonal park will be renamed 'Geeta Govind Vatika' says UP minister

Agra MLA and Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay named the zonal park as 'Geeta Govind Vatika', which was developed by the Agra Development Authority on an area of about 17 acres.

There are about a dozen small and large government parks in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, which are known by different names and are maintained by the Agra Municipal Corporation.

Yogendra Upadhyay said, “Efforts will be made to ensure that tourists coming to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal also visit the 'Geeta Govind Vatika' for which many attractions will be built here. "Agra's first 'chowpatties' have started here recently and soon boating facilities will also be available on the adjacent lake," he added.

Minister Yogendra Upadhyay further argued that the zonal park should now be known as 'Geeta Govind Vatika'. He said he made this suggestion in a meeting with Agra administrative officials. He further added that to make this place a popular tourist destination, plants like tulsi, kadamba etc should be planted in accordance with the Braj culture of the ancient Krishna era.

Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber Secretary Vishal Sharma said, “If the aim was to attract tourists, the Shahjahan Garden adjacent to the Taj Mahal could have been improved. Vishal Sharma claimed, “Shah Jahan Garden is more accessible to tourists than the zonal park named 'Geeta Govind Vatika' by the minister. It is located far from the Taj Mahal and the main road.'

In official documents, Shahjahan Garden is also referred to as Motilal Nehru Garden, but in common parlance it is still referred to as Shahjahan Garden. "The administration should consider developing this garden as a night attraction after the Taj Mahal is closed to visitors," Minister Vishal Sharma said.