IIEST gets 4.4-acre nature study park with biodiversity zone, amphitheatre, open-air gym
Times of India | 1 August 2026
Kolkata: A 4.4-acre nature study park, complete with nature trails, biodiversity zones, a butterfly garden, a meditation space, an open-air gym and an amphitheatre, was inaugurated on the campus of IIEST, Shibpur, on Friday.
The project is a collaborative environmental & social responsibility (ESR) initiative, developed by Eden Realty Group, in partnership with IIEST. Set inside one of the oldest engineering colleges of the country, the project focuses on restoring the surrounding landscape around a lake (Neem Jheel) into a “living classroom” where students, faculty members and researchers would reconnect with nature fostering wellness and community engagement, said an institute official. The park was inaugurated by state minister Umesh Rai.
“The Nature Study Park is a meaningful addition to our campus and reflects the power of collaborative partnerships, driven by a shared commitment to sustainability. This vibrant ecological asset will serve generations of students, researchers and a wider community,” IIEST director VMSR Murthy said.
Over 19,000 sq ft area has been landscaped and over 4,000 trees planted for the park. IIEST board of governors chairperson Tejaswini Ananth Kumar said, “The facility will ignite love for nature and enhance awareness about its conservation. It will be an interesting place for students to relax, enjoy, meditate and have some physical exercises”.
The chairperson of the realty group, Sachchidanand Rai, said, “The Nature Study Park embodies our vision of building a greener future while preserving the natural and cultural heritage that make institutes, like IIEST, Shibpur, truly exceptional.”