Mysuru: A park which was lying in a state of neglect with wild growth is now blooming with greenery even in the summer season. In a park where hardly anybody could step in has now become a favourite place of the walkers. And one person, a retired government official is responsible for this transformation.

Retired KEB Accounts Officer Mariappa, influenced by the Swachh Bharat and Swachh Mysuru Abhiyan, is tending to the park in Vijayanagar 3rd Stage D and E Block since the last two years. He has dedicated his retired life to the care of the park.

He is taking care of nearly 350 trees by watering them regularly. Joining hands with the walkers,  he is giving importance to the greening of the park. He works from 6.30 am to 9 am and again from 4.30 pm to 7 pm every day.

Mariappa approached the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for adoption and it gave the park to him for 23 months apart from imposing 13 conditions to conserve the park.

The MUDA had handed over the park to the Forest Department. Since it was under the Forest Department, the park was meant for sheep and cattle to graze. Seeing this, Mariappa approached everyone concerned to develop the park but to no avail.

Then he himself came forward to improve the park stage by stage. He cleaned the park from his own funds. He got the water connection with the cooperation of MUDA and Gram Panchayat and every morning and evening he waters the plants.

Having a keen interest in saving environment, he applied for adoption on 8-03-2017 and MUDA gave him permission for adoption with conditions in a letter dated 8-02-2018. Like Mariappa if others also involve themselves in keeping the parks in their areas clean, then there is no doubt that Mysuru will regain the top spot in cleanliness in the country, say residents.

Organic manure: Mariappa is manufacturing organic manure by digging two trenches and collecting fallen leaves from the trees there. He has spent money from his own pocket to buy water pipes and also paying salary to the gardeners. His selfless service has become a role model to others to follow in keeping the surroundings clean.