All Smiles: Panchamukhi Anjaneya Park Development Committee members at Saraswati Nagar in Davanagere plant saplings
Established in 2005, the park initially suffered from poor maintenance, garbage dumping and damaged plants, restricting public use. The turnaround began in 2019 when residents and regular walkers formed the Davanagere Park Development Committee to protect and improve the space. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
“We have made consistent efforts to keep the park clean and hygienic while undertaking various initiatives to increase greenery and the number of saplings,” said KG Yallappa, committee president. Davanagere : Tall trees, lush greenery, clean pathways and comfortable seating now greet visitors at Panchamukhi Anjaneya Park in Saraswati Nagar, Davanagere. Once neglected and used as a dumping ground, the park has been transformed into a serene public space through the sustained efforts of local residents. Download the TOI App.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, walkers from the neighbourhood took greater responsibility for the park. The committee has also introduced a unique birthday tradition. What started as a small cleanliness drive gradually evolved into a sustained community movement. Every morning, committee members complete their walk before taking up maintenance activities such as watering plants, checking pipelines and cleaning the premises. Committee president KG Yallappa, honorary president M Somashekharappa, vice-presidents Chowdappa G and S Shyam, general secretary Ravikumar PB, treasurer NM Parameshwarappa, secretaries Vishwanath B Kulkarni, Annappaiah BG, Chandrashekhar and Sharanappa, and coordinators B Anjaneya, Shivakumar and Shekharappa are among those actively involved. Every Sunday, members devote over an hour to voluntary service. Their work includes planting saplings, repairing damaged pipelines, installing tree guards and carrying out minor repairs. Many development activities have been funded through personal contributions. Members have spent money on saplings, electrical connections, water pipelines, tree guards and other improvements. When the borewell’s yield declined, they arranged for re-boring. Members celebrate their birthdays and those of family members by planting saplings in the park, converting personal milestones into green contributions. On Shivaratri, the committee organises special programmes. Local students who excel in SSLC and II PUC examinations are felicitated. Sports competitions for children and women, prize distribution ceremonies and cultural programmes are also held as part of the night-long celebrations.
The park is set for further development with a ₹25 lakh grant from the Davanagere-Harihar Urban Development Authority. The funds will be used to develop a walking track and construct a meditation hall. The tender process is underway, and work is expected to begin shortly. The committee has also expanded its efforts to nearby parks, including those near Daba Stop in Shivakumar Swamiji Layout and at 7th Cross in Saraswati Layout.