First week of Cubbon Walks sees full bookings in Bengaluru
Priced at Rs 200 per adult, the initiative offers curated walks through Cubbon Park, showcasing its ecology and heritage.
The horticulture department, which is conducting the walks, said the response has exceeded expectations. "The numbers are speaking loud, and this is indeed a huge success for the programme," said Kusuma G, deputy director of the department. On launch day, participants were split into Kannada, English, and mixed-language batches to accommodate preferences.
The concept was originally proposed by the tourism department but was later implemented by the horticulture department, following a planning meeting in June involving ecologists, historians, and citizen groups. The aim is to highlight Cubbon Park as both a lung space and a living archive of the city's past.
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Three batches completed the tour Sunday, guided by subject experts who pointed out historical monuments, native trees, and ecological features.
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The department currently limits participation to 60 people per day, but plans to scale up depending on demand.
A dedicated website has been created for online registrations and payments. Organisers expect the walks to become a recurring feature, aimed at encouraging responsible tourism and environmental learning.
The Cubbon Park Walkers Association welcomed the initiative, but recommended a few additions, including providing refreshments after the walk, discounted rates for students, and group discounts for bulk bookings. The horticulture department has said these suggestions are under consideration.
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