On November 19, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov opened another fashionable hotel “Garagum” (“Karakum”). On the same day, a new park was opened next to it, the state information agency TDH reports .

The ceremony took place without the participation of the president.

Previously, the publication reported that the park was called "Watançy", but now it is called "Erkin". The reasons for the renaming are not mentioned.

The total area of the park is almost 17 hectares; a 22-meter flagpole is installed in its center. There is a cycle path around and an automatic bike rental service.

According to the information agency, seven thousand plants have been planted in the park.

During the greening campaign on March 20, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, deputy prime ministers of the government and other officials, as well as students planted seedlings in the park. However, according to satellite images, the trees were dug up in May. Apparently, before the opening of the park, they were dropped off again.

Earlier, the correspondents of the "Chronicle of Turkmenistan" said that the purpose of the massive greening campaigns, during which the president and his entourage plant trees, is to create a beautiful picture for propaganda TV coverage. In reality, all the main work is done in advance by employees of the green management department. Before filming, they mark the territory, dig holes and bring seedlings to them.

In September, also near the new hotel, in front of the old airport, another park with fountains "Laçyn" was opened . For the sake of its construction, residential buildings and a dormitory, in which 47 families of employees of "Turkmen Airlines" lived , were demolished on this site in 2019-2020 . To make the tenants move out of the rooms in the building faster, they cut off the water, electricity and heating supplies. They were not provided with any other housing.

Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan