Interpretation centre at Gurgaon bio-diversity park soon

Gurgaon: The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) is constructing an interpretation centre at the bio-diversity park, located near Guru Dronacharya Metro station, to invite visitors to relax amid shade structures and suitable arid trees.

According to a senior official, the centre will be furnished with striated bamboo interiors and spread across 2,500 square feet of area with a café built over 1,200 square feet and a 350-square feet kitchen. The centre will also have washrooms that will be built over an area of 650 square feet. The facility will be set up in the background of a man-made pond.

Only eco-friendly material, including local soil, bamboo, sandstone slabs, and lightweight steel, will be used for the construction of the centre. No concrete slabs will be used. The project is expected to be completed by next year.

The design, layout and the details of the project are available to the public for feedback on the corporation’s website www.mcg.gov.in. People can send their feedback by April 15.

“The idea is to create a serene environment for leisure activities that gives an opportunity to people to interact with nature and use this as a getaway from their hectic schedule,” said SS Rohilla, spokesperson, MCG.

The project is conceived by Future Institute and designed by Abaxial, a Delhi-based architecture firm on a pro bono basis (work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service).

The centre will also boast of galleries, partly in open courtyard and covered spaces that will feature photography or painting exhibitions with public art being illuminated at night by thousands of LED lights.

Towards the MG Road entry, a bamboo hut café similar to the café at Leisure valley has been conceptualised with a seating capacity of nearly 50 people.

Public toilet units, similar to those at the Dilli Haat, will be set up. These would have a mechanised toilet system that decomposes excretory waste in a storage tank.

“On paper the project is attractive and will have mass appeal. If implemented and maintained properly, it can give breathing space to people,” said Anirudh Sarnalia, a resident of Arjun Nagar.