If you wish to see a flower garden or a herbarium in Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) at Mahim, you have a chance to suggest it now.

The MNP society which runs the park has begun inviting suggestions, ideas and comments from citizens for a mega renovation that will be undertaken soon. “In a newspaper advertisement on Wednesday, the society called for ideas and comments which would be used in the redevelopment of the park after due examination by a panel of experts,” Avinash Kubal, deputy director said. He added that it was their second series of advertisements in the past one week, and that mails and letters have already begun pouring in.

“A majority of citizens have emphasized that we do not change the overall outlook of the park. However, most want to increase the educational value and effectiveness of programmes held here. They want newer projects and awareness activities like terrace gardening and mangrove workshops in the park. Infrastructurally, there seems to be a need for an up-to-date administrative building,” he said.

The MNP redevelopment comes after 15 years of its existence, and according to Kubal, the MMRDA is willing to fund as much as Rs 20 crore for it.

A 10-member committee — headed by retired IFS officer Ravindra Sule, the former principal chief conservator of the state— has been formulated to overlook the physical and educational development of the park.

Besides MMRDA and MNP officials, the committee also includes well-known scientist, taxonomist and educationist Dr C S Lattoo, architect and head of Rachna Sansad College of environmental architect Roshni Udyavar and landscape designer and scientific officer of the cosmetic maintenance section of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Dr C K Salunkhe.

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