Vadodara: Spaces once defined by silence and grief are being reimagined as pockets of life and renewal on the outskirts of Vadodara, where community-led efforts are transforming crematorium premises into thriving green zones with butterfly gardens, banyan groves and native plantations.Marking Earth Day, four butterfly gardens are being developed at the Dumad crematorium, each designed to complement the vast expanse of the site while maintaining ecological and visual harmony. Circular in shape and arranged in a triangular layout, the gardens create a balanced, serene landscape within the open grounds.The idea traces back to Manjusar village, where environmentalist Suneet Dabke created a 2,000 sq ft butterfly garden near a crematorium in memory of his mother-in-law, Pratiksha Kulkarni. Built on a former dumping ground, the initiative showed how spaces associated with loss could also nurture life, inspiring similar efforts in the region.At Dumad and other sites, a variety of butterfly-friendly plants and trees — including tabebuia, roses, star jasmine, Jamaican spike, jatropha, passion fruit, alamanda creepers, kesuda and kadam — have been planted to create a supportive habitat while enhancing biodiversity.Building on this concept, the Kachare se Azadi Foundation, along with local communities, has helped develop butterfly gardens, Miyawaki forests and banyan plantations at multiple locations, focusing on ecological restoration through public participation.“The Dumad initiative has seen collective support under Rotary International’s ‘Unite for Good’ theme. Groups like Saturday Club, BBN Global and the Rotary Club of Baroda Greens have taken up individual gardens, while one has been developed jointly with the Dumad gram panchayat,” Dabke said.So far, 26 participants have planted over 320 saplings across nearly 2,100 sq ft. The site already has 51 banyan trees planted through earlier efforts, with plans to add bamboo plantations and a mini garden by June 5.
