The waters of calm

Cool breezes blowing from across the lake and through the clumps of trees planted to the right of the entrance welcome the visitor to the park.

Wide gravelly paths with cosy nooks half-hidden by the thick foliage afford pleasant walks for those out for a quiet stroll. The outstretched branches of trees lining the sidewalks form a green canopy throughout the park, which is open to the public between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Picnickers enjoy a day out in the open under the shady trees while children can be seen traipsing up and down the slides and jungle jims placed in a corner at the start of the sidewalk. A small path descends to the lake below where an occasional kingfisher darts into view.

Trenches and pits dug into the ground, road-rollers and workers at various places throughout the park indicate that work on the development of the ambitious zoological park, which is soon to develop at the Katraj Udyan, is on in full swing. Some of the benches lying in a state of disrepair and broken bulbs, however, do create an eyesore in this scenic setting. “With work for the development of the zoo in progress, most of the park that covers about 200 acres will be redesigned for the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Work on it started four years ago. The Katraj Udyan is not being maintained as a garden at the present,” clarifies Pune Municipal Corporation Garden Superintendent Yashwant Khaire.

One of the major attractions of this spot is a boat ride on the Katraj lake, courtesy the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. A small enclosure to the right of the park houses the office where one can book one’s boat ride and get some refreshments. Steps lead to the lake below where a fleet of orange, yellow and white motorboats lie in wait.

“The peak season is in the summer and winter holidays, and even during weekends, when all the 14 boats operating on the lake are full of visitors,” says Ravindra Bhoke, a supervisor at the park. A 20-minute ride on a four-seater costs Rs 55 (per boat) while a 15-minute ride on the two-seater costs Rs 38.50 (per boat).

As you leave the sylvan surroundings of the Katraj Udyan, it is with the certain conviction that you will return to savour its tranquil beauty.