Ramniwas Bagh and Albert Hall closed for rat control

Jaipur: A two-day rat control drive began at the Ramniwas Garden and Albert Hall here on Monday morning by a team from the JDA, officials said.

In order to facilitate the operation, Ramniwas Garden, Albert Hall and surrounding areas will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, during which pesticides will be used, an official said.

The garden houses the Albert hall Museum, built by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh in 1868.

Both sites, which are popular tourist destinations, have been affected by a rat infestation, with rodents digging burrows throughout the garden and threatening the foundation of Albert Hall. “The rat control activity has started in the garden today,” said JDA Secretary Nishant Jain. Director of Archeology and Museum Dept Pankaj Dharendra confirmed that Ramniwas Bagh will be closed on September 30 and October 1.

Superintendent of Ramniwas Garden Abdul Mazid said that during the pandemic, rat control drives were initiated on a small scale but this time the activity is underway on a larger scale.

“The number of rats is estimated in thousands. The infestation poses a risk of infection for the general public, therefore this activity was much needed,” he said.