From Scrap to Splendour: Srinagar’s Polo View Garden Blooms into a ‘Wonder Garden’
Discarded wheelbarrows, bins and worn-out garden material transformed into artistic installations and vibrant planters
Director Floriculture says initiative blends sustainability with public aesthetics in the heart of
Srinagar: Nestled in the heart of Srinagar’s bustling Polo View market — a space long associated with shoppers, tourists and evening walkers — the Polo View Garden is witnessing a remarkable transformation as the Floriculture Department turns discarded waste material into vibrant works of public art under its newly envisioned “Wonder Garden” initiative.
Known for serving as a green breathing space amid the busy commercial centre, the garden has over the years remained a modest urban park frequented by residents and visitors. Now, with an innovative facelift rooted in sustainability and creativity, the space is being reimagined into a visually engaging attraction where scrap is finding a second life in bloom.
Discarded wheelbarrows once used for gardening work, old bins, unused metal frames, broken containers and worn-out horticulture material are being artistically redesigned into colourful floral planters, decorative installations and ornamental displays.
Rows of vividly painted wheelbarrows filled with seasonal flowers, creatively repurposed bins and handcrafted installations now line sections of the garden, offering visitors a unique blend of environmental consciousness and urban aesthetics.
Director Floriculture, Mathora Masoom, said the initiative was conceived to promote sustainable beautification while giving the public space a fresh and innovative identity.
“We wanted to create something aesthetically appealing without depending entirely on new materials. The idea was to transform discarded objects into creative installations and show how sustainability and beauty can go hand in hand,” Masoom said.
She said the project reflects a broader push towards eco-friendly landscaping and sustainable urban design practices being adopted by the department across Kashmir’s public gardens.
Apart from reducing waste, the initiative is also aimed at making public spaces more interactive and visually attractive, especially during the peak tourist season when Polo View witnesses heavy footfall from visitors exploring the city centre.
The makeover has already begun attracting attention from residents and tourists, many of whom stop to admire and photograph the artistic displays spread across the garden.
Officials believe the “Wonder Garden” concept could become a model for similar low-cost, environmentally conscious beautification projects in other urban parks and public spaces across the Valley.
As flowers bloom out of discarded metal and forgotten garden tools, Polo View Garden is quietly emerging as a symbol of how imagination
