Ahmedabad, 31st August 2025: Torrent Group’s philanthropic arm, UNM Foundation on Sunday, dedicated to the citizens of Ahmedabad, newly-restored Sardar Baug developed and being managed under the Foundation’s PRATITI initiative. Shri Amitbhai Shah, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Gandhinagar Lok Sabha and Hon’ble Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Government of India; inaugurated the garden, reviving the city’s heritage of ecological harmony and natural magnificence.
The inauguration took place in the presence of Shri Rushikeshbhai Patel, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Government of Gujarat; Smt Pratibhaben Jain, Hon’ble Mayor, Ahmedabad City; Shri Sudhir Mehta, Chairman Emeritus, Torrent Group; Shri Jinal Mehta, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Torrent Power; Shri Hasmukhbhai Patel, Hon’ble Member of Parliament; MLAs; Shri Banchhanidhi Pani, Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation; and other dignitaries.
Nestled within the grandeur of the erstwhile 15th-century royal citadel, the newly restored Sardar Baug is the 11th Public Garden in Ahmedabad under UNM Foundation’s PRATITI initiative that enhances the city’s green spaces. Sardar Baug has historical significance as many Sabhas involving eminent freedom fighters were held at Sardar Baug in the pre-independence period.
Once a thriving paradise of fruit orchards, flowering plants, and intricate water courts, the garden had suffered deterioration over the past several decades. Today, it flourishes again with a meticulous restoration and conservation effort by PRATITI that restored both – its historical significance and environmental ingenuity. The newly restored Sardar Baug has a total area of 26,010 square meters and is located opposite to the old Rupali Cinema, Lal Darwaja, in the Jamalpur Ward of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC)’s Central Zone. This revamped Garden is made in consideration with bringing back the aesthetic and spiritual essence of the city while taking care of the user’s diverse needs.
Salient features of the Garden:
- Large entrance gate with a wheelchair-accessible ramp.
- A 1.5 km long Chharu pathway for walking and jogging. This brick-based material is kind to the knees, and facilitates percolation of water.
- An open gym with weather-resistant equipment.
- Children’s play area equipped with safe and fun play structures.
- An open-air, oval-shaped amphitheatre for cultural performances with 150 seating capacity.
- 8 water bodies with seating area – a visually pleasant, calm space for relaxation.
- Recharge well to support rainwater harvesting and ground water conservation.
- Fully ventilated and hygienic washrooms with wheelchair accessibility, and a separate block for the physically challenged; and drinking water facilities.
- A Rose Garden that recognizes Ahmedabad’s heritage of Rose Ittar (perfume) Production.
- 195 Existing trees were conserved and more than 630 trees of 65 different native species have been newly planted. These trees have been selected to provide shelter/nest to Birds, improve air quality, and support local biodiversity.
- Over 75,000 shrubs, bamboo, and grasses from 190 species have been planted to attract butterflies and bees.
UNM Foundation expresses gratitude to the Government of Gujarat and AMC for supporting the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to enhance urban green spaces for the citizens of Ahmedabad. Under the PRATITI initiative, UNM Foundation has revamped/developed and is committed to maintain-11 public parks across the city of Ahmedabad (including Sardar Baug) covering a total area of 131,414 square meters.
Additionally, 5 more gardens are currently under development in Ahmedabad with a combined area of 61,000 square meters. UNM Foundation lays special thrust on conserving and maintaining green cover in urban spaces. Through the PRATITI initiative, the Foundation maintains about 50 hectares (approx. 5 lakh square meters) of world class green spaces in 13 public gardens and 2 lakes located across the cities of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat and Daman. These public spaces see annual footfall of approx. 58 lakh people. Plans are afoot to extend the Pratiti initiative to Maharashtra.