Community Garden at Kasturba Nagar

Creation of new green areas, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Knowledge creation and awareness raising

- To develop a 'Community Garden' as a green initiative within the Kasturba Nagar locality to bring people together and provide them with a shared space for interaction as well as promote gardening. - To nurture a garden patch (by residents of all ages on their own) through organic cultivation of fruits or vegetables, medicinal herbs and flowering plants (i.e. grow locally and produce sustainably). - To improve soil fertility in the area of intervention. - To educate people through experimental gardening and create opportunities to learn and share knowledge through social engagement. - To develop opportunities for relaxation and reconnecting with nature by engaging in a sustainable initiative. - To promote human well-being through gardening activities. - To maintain the cleanliness of the area, mostly through the removal of plastic pollution. - To create an example of excellent community building exercise through this green initiative of community gardening (1,2,3,4).

The community group was proposed by a citizen in Chennai named Samyuktha Kannan, with the intention of developing a community garden in her locality. Following the project suggestion, this idea was supported by the Resident Welfare Association (RWA), a local NGO that takes care of the interests and welfare of locals. RWA granted permission and allocated an open area surrounding the community hall to create the garden. - At first, a couple of people who were interested in participating in the garden were targeted to receive insights into developing the community garden based on experienced farmers and gardeners included in the project team. The initial project team formed by Samyuktha Kannan discussed the essential infrastructure required to carry out the activities. - Different suggestions regarding what type of greening ideas can be carried out (like the use of native species, cultivation of local crops, providing a home for pollinator bees etc.) were discussed, and a layout was developed for further implementation (2). Subsequent activities included: - Clearing of the space filled with weeds and waste; - Plantation of saplings of fruits or vegetables like tomatoes, spinach etc., flowering plants and a variety of herbs - Use of dried fallen leaves for mulching - Provision of compost by residents - Understanding the challenges through conversations with experts to improve soil fertility, as well as related to the use of pesticides and use of techniques like fences and plantation of different crops to repel pests - Division of garden into three sections (flowers, vegetables/fruits and medicinal herbs): which now (at present) blooms with fresh tomatoes, gourds, chillies, beans, peas, basil and Chinese potatoes, among other variants - say a mix of plants for ecological and educational purposes (1,3). Activities carried out regularly include weekly gardening sessions, sapling and seed exchange programmes, events and workshops to promote gardening (1,2,4). Weekly gardening sessions (for people of all ages) take place every Saturday, which are open to the public (anyone who would like to do volunteering is welcome). On a day-to-day basis, there are three or four dedicated volunteers who look into and execute the details of garden management. Subsequent development ideas of the project team to implement in the near future (information from 2022), include: - incorporation of a bird feeder, a beehive and an aquatic area - involving local businesses and explore composting experiments - raising funds from local businesses and - seeking support from the local government (1,2,3).

• Citizens or community groups
• Marginalized groups: Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed)
• Food producers and cultivators (i.e. farmers, gardeners)
• Young people and children