Dehradun, June 21 -- President Droupadi Murmu on Friday participated in the opening ceremony of Rashtrapati Tapovan and Rashtrapati Niketan for the public at Dehradun. The Rashtrapati Tapovan and Rashtrapati Niketan will be open for the public from June 24 and July 1, respectively. Rashtrapati Tapovan, situated on Rajpur Road, is a 19-acre Presidential Estate nestled in the Himalayan foothills, emphasising spiritual retreat and ecological preservation. A dense forest patch rich in native vegetation, Tapovan hosts 117 plant species, 52 butterflies, 41 bird species, and 7 wild mammals, including some protected species. The area features natural bamboo groves and undisturbed woodland ecosystems. Established in 1976 as a Presidential Retreat, Rashtrapati Niketan has a rich heritage tracing back to 1838 when the estate served as a summer camp for the Governor General's Bodyguard. It spans 21 acres and includes Lily ponds, featuring historic buildings, orchards, and stables. Murmu also laid the foundation stone for Rashtrapati Udyan. Rashtrapati Udyan, a 132-acre public park, will be a model of accessibility and ecological responsibility-- a Net-Zero public park, fully accessible to specially abled people. It aims to become a community engagement hub to promote wellness, culture, and civic pride among citizens. A book on the biodiversity of Rashtrapati Niketan, Rashtrapati Tapovan and Rashtrapati Udyan was also released on the occasion. This book catalogues over 300 species of flora and 170 species of fauna, including butterflies, birds, and mammals of Rashtrapati Niketan, Tapovan and Udyan. Earlier, the President visited the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities on Rajpur Road and interacted with the students. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the progress of a country or society can be judged by the way the people treat persons with disabilities in that society. "India's history is full of inspiring incidents of sensitivity and inclusiveness. Elements of human compassion and love have always been present in our culture and civilization," she said. She stated that through the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which emphasizes developing an accessible physical environment, transport, information, and communication ecosystem, the government is striving for empowerment and equal participation of the specially abled people. She said that efforts must be made by society to encourage disabled people in every sphere of life....