New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority is going to transform its restored green spaces into vibrant, interactive hubs where visitors will not only spend leisure time but also engage deeply with nature, ecology and environmental learning.From free community theatre workshops for elderly people and children to dedicated spaces for ecological researchers, developing medicinal nurseries and citizen nature hubs, DDA has entered into multiple partnerships to ensure stronger public engagement at its parks.During the inauguration of the first-ever Green Expo 2026 at Baansera on Saturday by lieutenant governor VK Saxena, DDA signed memorandums of understanding with Delhi Technological University (DTU), National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi University, National Medicinal Plants Board, WWF-India and Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority.Under the collaboration with NSD, DDA parks will serve as cultural classrooms. “Curated community theatre workshops and children’s theatre programmes will be conducted for free in open parks. Each batch will comprise 30 students, and the workshops will be organised by NSD at multiple locations, depending on feedback,” said an official.DU will facilitate field exposure for students in urban ecological research in the floodplain and other green areas, encouraging student-led fieldwork and academic engagement within natural landscapes. The agreement with DTU focuses on integrating technology-driven sustainability solutions and innovations provided by youth for park planning and management.Through National Medicinal Plants Board, herbal gardens will be developed along with medicinal nurseries in selected parks. “Rare and lesser-known medicinal plants will be cultivated at nurseries and visitors will be informed about their healing properties and India’s rich botanical heritage,” officials said.Citizens’ Nature Hubs will be set up along with WWF-India at Asita to promote environmental awareness, citizen engagement and community stewardship. Following a proposal from Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority, DDA will also act as a knowledge partner in sustainable urban planning, heritage-sensitive interventions and nature-based development practices.DDA vice-chairman N Saravana Kumar said the authority was often viewed primarily as a master planner and regulator, but it also served as Delhi’s environmental trustee. These collaborations, he emphasised, aim to reimagine public spaces.“DDA manages biodiversity parks spread across nearly 15% of the city’s area. This shows that we are not confined merely to housing and infrastructure,” he said. “Today our parks have evolved into centres for nature trails, research initiatives, youth engagement, cultural programming and environmental learning, seamlessly integrating ecology, innovation and community life into Delhi’s urban future.” Saxena, who is also DDA’s chairman, said development and ecological conservation didn’t need to be at odds. “The two-day expo, themed ‘Beyond Growth: Reimagining Urban Futures’, brings together senior govt functionaries, urban planners, climate experts and industry stakeholders to chart a roadmap for this sustainable development,” he pointed out. The event is also about praising and involving citizens who nurture small green patches outside their homes, teach their children about local birds, plant saplings, and return to care for them, Saxena said after unveiling the DDA Greens logo and DDA Greens Year Book 2026. He also inaugurated DDA’s three-day Palaash Mahotsav 2026.The expo will see sessions addressing urban challenges, including extreme heat, flooding, nature-based infrastructure, circular food systems and innovative financing for green cities.
