The Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry said the national park at Salini was being enlarged and embellished, not lying abandoned as claimed by the opposition media.

The park, when finished, will cover some 104,024 square metres and was at present nearing the completion of its first phase of work covering 61,806 metres. This will be inaugurated on 24 February.

Thousands of trees were planted under the 34U campaign, picnic areas have been provided with benches and other facilities such as toilets, a kiosk and fountains.

The existing picnic area had been well maintained while the work was going on and new facilities had been introduced there.

The inauguration on 24 February will mean that over 75 per cent of the land earmarked for the project will be enjoyed by the public.