Green oasis brings spiritual energy to Durban
This weekend's centrepiece is the Mitchell Park Trust's celebration of "Green Diwali" decorating the trees with lights.
LIKE the magical forest in the blockbuster Hollywood movie, Avataar, Mitchell Park’s unique tree collection has sparked interest among amateur botanists.
According to local historian and tour guide Gordon Michael, the park celebrates 125 years this year with its key attraction, its majestic trees.
As concern about climate change and the environment mounts around the globe, volunteers have turned their attention to imaginative programmes to promote greening and the park’s vast array of indigenous and exotic trees.
This weekend’s centrepiece is the Mitchell Park Trust’s celebration of “Green Diwali” decorating the trees with lights. “The event is open to the public and the lights will be ceremonially switched on this Friday, 11 October at 5.30pm,” said Trust chairperson Dr Sanil Singh.
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The organisers plan not only to light up the “green oasis” but also teach other about the city’s green heritage. Having researched the park, botanical enthusiast Ansu Singh believes that trees have a direct line of communication with the human soul.
Artist, Robin Opperman, will display his imaginative “Garden of Gratitude” throughout this weekend. His flowers are made entirely from recycled plastic and are designed to promote environmental education. The organisers hope that enduring childhood memories include climbing trees in the backyard or old neighbourhoods will entice people to appreciate the city’s greenery amid its dense metropolitan developments.
The Trust has challenged citizens to take the planting of trees as a personal mission to mitigate the effects of climate change because as humans we breath in oxygen and trees do the opposite. As part of the weekend’s Green Diwali activities, there will be a competition and prizes for children to identify the trees and their medicinal uses.
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