Hyderabad: The Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation launched a pilot initiative to entrust park maintenance responsibilities to women from self-help groups (SHGs).
The initiative aims to strengthen livelihoods and promote economic empowerment.
Officials announced the programme on World Environment Day.
Under the pilot project, the corporation allotted at least two parks in each zone to SHG women.
Officials said the programme would create self-employment opportunities and improve park upkeep.
Park maintenance project launched across Malkajgiri zones
In the LB Nagar Zone, officials handed over HUDA C-Type Park in Saroornagar to Janmabhoomi MPS SHG.
They also assigned Yashoda Enclave Colony Park in Hayathnagar to Adarsha MPS SHG.
Similarly, in Uppal Zone, SHGs took charge of parks in Bank Colony and Gokul Nagar Colony.
Meanwhile, officials allotted parks in Prashanth Vihar Colony, Sai Krishna Enclave, Bhudevi Nagar and Nehru Nagar to various SHGs in Malkajgiri Zone.
Under the programme, SHG women will oversee cleanliness, plant care, water supply and gardening activities.
In addition, Urban Biodiversity Division personnel will provide technical guidance.
Officials will also monitor the works regularly.
Authorities said they may gradually hand over more parks if the pilot project succeeds.
To encourage participation, the government exempted SHGs from EMD, GST and labour licence charges.
As part of the Praja Palana–Pragati Pranalika 99-Day Action Plan, the corporation also conducted sanitation drives and plantation programmes.
Furthermore, Municipal Commissioner Vinay Krishna Reddy urged residents to plant and protect saplings.
He said environmental conservation requires public participation.