_pages-to-jpg-0001.jpg)
Delhi now has a new green landmark. Baansera Park, the city’s first bamboo-themed park, has opened its doors to the public near Sarai Kale Khan on the western bank of the Yamuna. Spanning over 10 hectares in the floodplains, the park is being hailed as an eco-friendly escape in the heart of India’s bustling capital.
The foundation of Baansera, also called Baansera, was laid on August 9, 2022. After a year of careful development, the park was inaugurated in September 2023. Its design aims not only to offer Delhiites a place to unwind but also to contribute to the city’s ecological restoration.
With bamboo as its central theme, the park underscores the role of sustainable materials in urban planning and the potential of green interventions in transforming degraded city spaces.
Architectural and Ecological Highlights
Baansera Park is divided into two main zones: Bamboo Plantation and Bamboo Recreation. The plantation hosts over 13,000 bamboo saplings, sourced from different parts of India including Assam, and representing 15 varieties from the Bambusa and Dendrocalamus families. These towering plants, many rising over 30 feet, contribute significantly to Delhi’s urban greenery, producing 30% more oxygen than most other trees and requiring minimal water.
The park’s built structures, from kiosks and huts to seating areas and a watchtower, are entirely made of bamboo, reinforcing the theme of eco-conscious design. A 6-acre depression area has been transformed into a water body, further enhancing the park’s natural ambience and supporting local biodiversity.
Beyond its ecological and architectural features, Bansera includes a recreational club, a food court offering multiple cuisines, an organic haat, and even a tent city to encourage tourism. Walking trails, rolling lawns, and spaces for musical fountains, children’s play areas, and community events make the park a versatile destination for residents and visitors alike.
A Transformation of the Yamuna Floodplains
Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Saxena, highlighted the park’s journey from a degraded land to a green oasis. “On a visit to a heavily polluted stretch along the Yamuna opposite Sarai Kale Khan, Baansera (abode of bamboos) was conceived. What followed was not only restoration but reclamation and transformation within just 18 months,” he said. The area was once buried under construction and demolition waste, with heavy encroachment and limited greenery. Today, it stands rejuvenated, housing indigenous flora, green lawns, and water features, alongside nearly 30,000 bamboo trees.
Saxena emphasized the park’s ecological and social significance. “Baansera has become fertile ground for the famed Lakadong Turmeric from Meghalaya and blooming tulips. It is now hosting social and cultural events like the Kite Festival, yoga sessions, and musical evenings. This park epitomises the remarkable healing of the Yamuna floodplain, reaffirming that ecosystems can be revived through natural processes.”
Why Baansera Matters
Baansera Park offers Delhi a unique combination of recreation, nature, and environmental stewardship. Bamboo, as a sustainable material, not only contributes to cleaner air but also serves as a model for green urban design. The park provides a space for relaxation, social interaction, and eco-tourism, while simultaneously demonstrating how degraded urban areas can be transformed into vibrant public spaces.
By integrating sustainable landscaping, bamboo architecture, and water management, Bansera sets a precedent for future urban green projects in Delhi and across India. It serves as a reminder that even densely populated cities can reclaim natural spaces, blending leisure, education, and environmental responsibility.
A Place for Everyone
Whether it’s a quiet morning walk, a family picnic, or an evening spent attending a community event, Baansera Park caters to diverse needs. Visitors can enjoy serene bamboo groves, scenic water bodies, and thoughtfully designed recreational facilities. The park’s careful attention to design and environmental impact makes it a model for sustainable urban development.
In the words of LG Saxena, “Inspired by PM Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of restoring degraded land, this was a baby step for Delhi that has become a leap forward in enriching the city’s flora diversity. I appeal to all residents to visit Baansera Park and experience this transformation firsthand.”
Baansera Park demonstrates the potential of urban green spaces in improving quality of life, promoting environmental awareness, and enhancing city aesthetics. With its bamboo-themed architecture, ecological design, and diverse recreational facilities, the park is not just a public space—it is a statement of what sustainable urban planning can achieve in India’s capital.
