Ahmedabad: UNM Foundation – Torrent, in a public-private-partnership with the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC), today unveiled a newly developed Heritage Park on the Eastern Riverfront of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad.

The park was inaugurated virtually by Amitbhai Shah,  Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Government of India and Member of Parliament, Gandhinagar Lok Sabha.

The Heritage Park is a linear park between Swami Vivekananda bridge and Nehru bridge with the Bhadra Fort in its background, becomes the 12th public park in Ahmedabad to be developed and maintained by UNM Foundation under its Pratiti initiative, in association with AMC.

The Heritage Park has been developed over a 20,000 square metres area in the Jamalpur Ward of AMC’s Central Zone, with an expenditure of over Rs 10 Crores.

The Park is designed as a living canvas, enabling citizens to learn about the social and cultural transition the city has undergone through centuries of its history. There are five permanent installations that narrate the story about Ahmedabad’s history and contemporary growth.

1. The Circus Tent Circle:

When the seasonal Sabarmati river turned dry, its riverbed was converted as a preferred venue for many recreational activities for citizens. Till the year 2000, circus tents used to occupy this place during school vacations. The Heritage Park revisits those Circus Tents with an installation, evoking nostalgia.

2. The Dynasties of Ahmedabad Circle:

This circle represents the key regimes that have shaped Ahmedabad into becoming what it is today. These regimes include the Bhil tribes, Chalukyas, Sultanates, Mughals, Marathas, British, and post-Independence governance. This circle narrates the stories of Ahmedabad’s various rulers, depicted through seals from their time.

3. City Evolution Circle:

The nucleus of the city continued to migrate – first it was across the river, and then it moved towards the South. While the financial, social, and cultural nucleus of the city kept evolving over time, the geographical centre of the city – between Eastern and Western halves – remained at this spot. The installation recognizes this evolution.

4. The Royal Axis Circle:

Adding significance to the park’s location is The Royal Axis – a virtual axis formed by three structures i.e. the Jama Masjid, Teen Darwaja, and the Bhadra Fort, built by Sultan Ahmed Shah-I in 1411. This circle in the park, with the fortification in its backdrop, becomes a part of this Axis when a straight line is drawn from this spot, passing exactly through Bhadra Fort, and Teen Darwaza.

5. Mata Ni Pachhedi Circle:

The 400-year-old folk art tradition of Mata ni Pachhedi comes alive at the fifth circle in the park. The installation pays homage to the local community that lived on the banks of the Sabarmati River but were displaced due to urbanization.

Under the Pratiti initiative, UNM Foundation has restored, developed, and maintains 12 public parks across the city of Ahmedabad (including Heritage Park) covering a total area of more than 1.5 lakh square meters, which amounts to more than 15% of the total green area of the city.

Additionally, 4 more parks are currently under development in Ahmedabad with a combined area of more than 40,000 square meters.

UNM Foundation said its efforts have expanded  in the areas of community healthcare, education, ecology, art, and culture. Through these diverse philanthropic initiatives, the Foundation has positively impacted over 2.5 crore lives till date in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Daman (U.T.).

Under its Pratiti initiative, UNM Foundation restores, develops and maintains public spaces including parks and lakes. So far, 17 parks, 2 lakes, and other urban and semi-urban green spaces have been restored and are being maintained in Gujarat. The total area covered under Pratiti is 8.44 lakh square metres attracting a cumulative footfall of over one crore till date. The foundation has also committed to restore and maintain 69 lakes in and around Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

The Pratiti initiative is now being extended to Maharashtra.