The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is set to significantly expand a successful initiative that empowers women while enhancing urban greenery. Following a positive pilot project, the civic body has proposed handing over the maintenance of 63 additional parks to women self-help groups (SHGs) under the central government's Amrith Mitra scheme.
Building on Initial Success
This move comes on the heels of a promising trial run over the last two months. During this period, the MCC successfully handed over 10 city parks to six trained SHGs for maintenance. The groups entrusted with this responsibility include Sammathi Sangha in Naidu Nagar, Srilakshmi Saraswathi Sangha in Rajiv Nagar, Noor SHG, Gulman SHG, and Ya Habib SHG in Aziz Sait Nagar, along with Annapoorneshwari SHG in Srirampur.
These SHGs have taken charge of prominent green spaces such as Hyder Ali Park (ward 9), the park behind Al Badr Mosque, Shivaji Park (ward 29), Bandekallu Park in Sathgalli, Rajiv Gandhi Park (ward 34), and Madhuvana Park (ward 64).
Training and Responsibilities
After receiving specific training from the MCC's horticulture department, the SHG members have begun their regular maintenance duties. Their work encompasses a comprehensive range of tasks to keep the parks in pristine condition.
Their responsibilities include:
- Cleaning and sweeping the park areas
- Removing weeds and collecting green waste
- Watering plants and ensuring proper irrigation
- Producing compost from piled-up organic waste
- Following all guidelines set by the MCC horticulture experts
Scaling Up for Greater Impact
Encouraged by the effective maintenance and positive community response from the initial ten parks, the MCC has now initiated the process to transfer 63 more parks to women's groups. A formal proposal has been sent to the state-level internal committee of the urban development department for approval.
MCC Commissioner Syed Asif Tanveer confirmed that the recommendation for the additional parks has been forwarded to both the state committee and the Union government. He praised the six pioneering SHGs, noting their successful upkeep of the parks allotted to them so far.
PK Mohankumar, MCC's Assistant Director of Horticulture, explained the selection criteria and process. He stated that SHGs must have a clean financial track record and active membership for at least three years to be eligible. Once the state committee and central government grant approval under the scheme, the MCC will train the new SHGs and formally hand over the parks.
The financial aspect of the Amrith Mitra scheme is a key driver. The Union government directly deposits Rs 10 lakh annually into the bank account of each SHG for maintaining their allotted park, providing a significant source of employment and income.
Currently, Mysuru has a total of 585 parks within the MCC's jurisdiction. Of these, 382 are maintained by the MCC's own horticulture department, 22 are looked after by corporate firms under CSR funds, and several others are under an adoption scheme. The expansion of the Amrith Mitra initiative aims to simultaneously improve urban green infrastructure and foster women's economic empowerment on a larger scale.
