A key aspect of developments planned at Sundar Nursery is its conception as a self sustaining model. Revenue generating components like amphitheatre, restaurants, cafe, convention facilities etc. have been planned to ensure upkeep of site to highest standards. Also linkages have been designed between the various heritage zones of Nizamuddin Area and it is envisioned that the integration of sites across the area will uplift currently neglected complexes while enhancing interpretation at the same time.
Since the completion of the various project components, the partners of the MoU have agreed to participate in and assist in the establishment of a permanent self-sustaining project management structure for the effective management of Sunder Nursery, and to ensure that such structure is in place for the up-keep, maintenance and management of each component of the project components after completion of the project.
The objects of the Trust shall be:
To secure the long-term sustainability of the initiative, the project seeks to establish a Sundar Nursery Management Trust comprising project partners Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) and Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) as private partners to oversee the management of the redeveloped park. Systems are being established to ensure that the revenues generated through the facilities created at Sunder Nursery such as Restaurant, Food Court, Interpretation Centre, Garden House, ticketing and parking will provide for the management of the park and ensuring it is financially self-sustainable. Surplus from these revenues will be ploughed into continued development and improvement of the facilities in the Nursery.
Sunder Nursery, a part of a designated District Park in the Delhi Master-plan 2021 and under the aegis of the Urban Renewal Project has been provided with nursery area equal to 20 acres distinct ecological zone featuring water bodies and microhabitats, a grand Central Vista that will stretch across the north-south axis of the park from the pedestrian entrance, an amphitheatre for cultural shows, lectures to student groups and entertainment, conservation and formal landscaping of and around the several monuments at site while providing linkages with the adjacent Batashewala Complex and built facilities as per MOU.
Following these ecological, heritage, educational, cultural and entertainment facilities developed at the Sunder Nursery and the adjoining Batashewala Complex, a significant increase in the human resources will be required to successfully run the education, cultural, ecological and marketing programmes in addition to visitor management, management of infrastructure and recreational facilities, security, horticultural and civil maintenance. Therefore, a trust Deed has been proposed to, devise, establish, maintain, promote, manage and operate revenue generating activities to provide funds for the management and maintenance of Sunder Nursery.
Having an effective management system for Sundar Nursery will ensure a calendar of events featuring heritage & ecology walks, cultural events, world class security, fundraising, advertising, marketing, conservation, exhibitions, operate restaurants, library, craft fairs, conference facilities, world heritage reporting, public lectures and film screenings, generating solar energy, training, garden workshops, and innovative ways to attract public.
Sundar Nursery will have an array of visitor facilities like micro-habitat zones, amphitheatres for cultural and educational purpose, restaurants, cafes, heritage walks, nature trails, musical programmes and poetry recitations, sale of Delhi’s native flora planted in the microhabitat zone, display of flora from other regions, variety of plants not found in other regions etc. The Management Trust will ensure access to differently- abled visitors, GIS mapping for flora and asset management, public conveniences, providing interactive Maps and developing apps; audio-visual aid; parking; information guide; signages’ emergency buttons; lockers; Information Center; cafeteria; Pet shelter/track; tour guides; cycle stands; First-aid kit etc. to all the visitors to Sundar Nursery.
It is envisioned that the ongoing development of Sunder Nursery and the adjoining Batashewala Complex with ecological, heritage, educational, cultural and entertainment facilities will increase manifold, which will have a manifold increase in the human resources required to successfully run the education, cultural, ecological and marketing programmes in addition to visitor management, management of infrastructure and recreational facilities, security, horticultural and civil maintenance.
The landscape masterplan has the vision of introducing educational facilities to allow Delhi residents and especially school children to enhance the understanding of history, craftsmanship, ecology and nursery activities integrated through the various zones.
The school programme will include customized heritage walks and nature trails through the Nursery environs, alongwith opportunity for outdoor classrooms, gardnehouse where children can learn about the ecology and understanding of Delhi’s flora.
In order to ensure financial sustainability of the Sunder Nursery, the management and security requirements of the World Heritage Site, the Management Trustees has to create facilities such as an exhibition spaces, restaurants, training/ conference/ exhibition centre, etc as well as additional parking, introduce ticketing for visitors to Govt. Sunder Nursery, the Batashewala Complex and the Interpretation Centre located partly in Govt. Sunder Nursery and partly in the adjacent Humayun’s Tomb complex has also to be developed by the Management Trustees, that will generate sufficient revenue for sustainable maintenance.