The 100 parks of city that the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) is going to develop, will be named after flowers, not political icons.

The LDA officials have already listed 28 flowers and are thinking up more for 72 other parks. The parks will be developed under a common project, for which Chief Minister Mayawati laid the foundation on February 5.

The LDA has identified the parks and has developed them with help from the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, College of Architecture and the Arts College. The development cost is expected to be around Rs 20 crore.

“Flowers of various varieties will be planted. One specific variety will be planted in abundance and the garden will be named after it. Chrysanthemum garden and Aloe Vera garden can be two,” said an LDA official.

But why did the LDA drop political figures?

“When parks are named after a ‘mahapurush’ it gives the place the feel of a memorial, not a green area for the public. Naming parks after flowers will also truly depict nature,” said an official.

LDA vice-chairman Mukesh Kumar Meshram said, “Not just flowers, the idea is to name parks after things that are part of nature.” The names, he said, will be finalised at the time of inauguration.

Experts from NBRI and the state Horticulture Department will plan the flowers according to seasons and their placement. They will also help provide the specific varieties of flowers like medicinal and flowering plants.

Another official said: “The LDA will carry out civil works like construction of boundary wall, pathways, seats, lighting, installation of swings and rain water harvesting.”

Construction will begin in the next few days as the government has given a target of June 30 to complete the project, he added.

The students of College of Architecture have designed the elements for beautification after doing a physical survey of the parks. They have also taken into account the residents’ suggestions about the facilities they expect.

“But these designs need updation as aspects like height of the boundary walls, type of construction materials and such have not been defined in the map,” said an executive engineer.