Ananda Bana: Is Bhubaneswar's Urban Forest Meeting Visitor Expectations?
To take a break from the busy and rushed life of the city, the state government had planned an urban forest within the city to experience a blissful abode of nature. Recently unveiled, Bhubaneswar’s biggest park, an urban forest known as Ananda Bana, aims to offer a sense of adventure and an ambiance of nature to bring peace of mind from busy life. However, is this expectation being fulfilled? Is Ananda Bana meeting visitors' expectations?
The 89.5-acre area in the middle of the city has been allocated to Ananda Bana, promising to give an adventurous feeling of the jungle and an ambiance of nature. While the exterior of the park is designed to align with these promises, the inside view may disappoint visitors.
Previously a barren stretch of revenue forest land, it was unveiled in March as one of the biggest ecological landscapes in the capital. The park is divided into two parts, connected by a foot overbridge: the first part comprises 61.68 acres and the second 27.37 acres. It features 550 meters of rock trails and 32,750 square feet of water bodies that provide habitats for aquatic species. Ananda Bana offers various facilities, including walking, cycling, soil, rock, water body, and grass mound trails. It also boasts 12,000 Miyawaki plantations, utilizing the Japanese Miyawaki technique to preserve biodiversity.
The park provides 1,000 meters of soil trails aimed at connecting people with the earth in its raw form, while a 3,830-meter bicycle trail promises to delight cycling enthusiasts. Additionally, Ananda Bana has many more amenities designed to attract visitors and provide a jungle vibe.
Despite these efforts, many visitors have experienced a gap between reality and expectations. Our team spoke to several visitors to understand their views on Ananda Bana.
Prateek Sahu, a junior scientist at CIFA, said, “When I learned about it, I was very excited to visit the place. But upon visiting, I did not find that natural vibe or anything special about the place. Although a large area was allocated for development, it was not planned effectively. It felt like an underdeveloped farmhouse.”
He added, “There are two water bodies, but neither is well-maintained, and the water is very dirty. It seems like rainwater got stuck in a deep place. I did not find any natural factors to bind visitors here.”
Similarly, another visitor, Smrutirekha Padhi, stated, “I visited twice but still couldn’t see the entire 'bana'. For a visitor, there should be some vehicle arrangements to explore the 90-acre area. The ambiance doesn’t feel like a jungle tour; it’s just a dense forest within a boundary. More development is needed, such as introducing different kinds of birds and eco-friendly animals to showcase nature’s beauty.”
Atanu Mohapatra shared, “I usually come this way for a morning walk. I bought a ticket for Ananda Bana, but I didn’t find any difference between it and other places. It feels like just a place full of plants and trees within a boundary.”
Despite these criticisms, Ananda Bana has been promoted as the only urban jungle in the city, promising a complete feel of nature to refresh the mind and soul. While many visitors expressed disappointment, government officials justified their approach differently.
City DFO Ajit Satpathy said, “This park is not to amuse the public but to educate people on the environment. Visitors can spend time in nature, inhale fresh air, and activate their senses. We are close to providing bicycle rides, guided tours, and storytelling. We have planted 80 varieties of trees and more than 40 varieties of medicinal plants. Small steps like these will create a sense of responsibility for the environment.”
Some visitors have expressed happiness and gratitude for this natural destination. Lopamudra Jena said, “I frequently visit this place and get very good vibes. The QR codes provided are useful for learning about different plants. This park is beneficial in our busy lives.”
Bijeta Padhan added, “In this busy life, such a destination is a blessing. While its immediate effect may not be visible, a healthy environment truly brings good physical and mental health. My blood pressure has reduced after regular visits to this place.”
In conclusion, while Ananda Bana has made significant strides in creating a natural environment within the city, it still has gaps that need to be addressed to fully meet visitors' expectations.
