Ahmedabad: Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Parthivrajsinh Kathavadiya has alleged that Gujarat University (GU) has destroyed its historic botanical garden for other projects.Addressing a news conference at GU, Kathavadiya claimed that the botanical garden, which had been maintained since 1960, has disappeared along with several natural wetlands on the campus. He alleged that decisions related to major projects and tenders have changed with successive vice-chancellors.He said that during the tenure of former vice-chancellor Himanshu Pandya, a tender worth Rs 999.5 crore was issued for an arboretum project, which was supposed to be completed within 18 months. Kathavadiya alleged that the project involved JP Infrastructure as the contractor and an external consultancy agency, and claimed that structures were left incomplete.He further alleged that after Niraja Gupta became VC, a separate Rs 15.6 crore project called ‘Nav Van’ was planned at the same location. Kathavadiya claimed the botanical garden was bulldozed to make way for this project.He said the garden had more than 150 plant species, including rare varieties, and was used by botany and zoology students for research. It was also reportedly a breeding habitat for peacocks and other bird species.Kathavadiya questioned who authorised the demolition.
