Malkajgiri parks now in hands of women’s SHGs as World Environment Day pilot

Hyderabad: Public parks in Malkajgiri are getting a community makeover this World Environment Day, with women’s self-help groups taking over maintenance duties from contractors and municipal workers.

The pilot project aims to create sustainable self-employment while pushing community participation in upkeep of green spaces. Under the initiative, at least two parks in each municipal zone have been handed to SHGs. Women members will handle cleanliness, watering, plant care and horticultural maintenance under guidance from the Urban Biodiversity Department.

Officials call it a shift from contractor-led maintenance to a community-based model, placing local women at the centre of neighbourhood park management.

The project director for urban community development and district project officers will monitor the pilot closely. If the SHGs perform well, the government plans to gradually transfer more parks currently managed by contractors to women’s groups.