 Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 23: The department of Floriculture, Parks and Garners has turned a blind eye towards the parks at Channi Himmat locality whereas VIP treatment is being given to parks in Gandhi Nagar locality.
A simple contrast between the parks of Green Belt Gandhi Nagar locality and parks of Channi Himmat is enough to expose the dual yardstick adopted by department towards the parks.
A visit of the parks of Channi Himmat including Hiranand Municipal Park, speaks volumes of neglect by the department as well as representatives concerned. The park wears a deserted look most of the time, a local said, adding that though the intense summer is yet to begin but green grass has already exhausted and dusty ground is visible here.
Vast patches in the parks are without green grass and there are no shady trees available in the park, despite the development of parks, two-three decades back.
"Garbage could be seen in every nook and corner of the parks and at the gate of park, cannabis has grown and along with wall, empty bottles, plastic items, polythene carry bags could be found", another local said, adding that the department officials seldom visited the parks and paid no heed, adding, water is occasionally sprinkled in the parks due to which the parks never turned green even in spring season. During summer, it will be almost impossible to even visit the park, the locals said.
On the other hand the parks of Gandhi Nagar area are well maintained and gardeners could be found anytime in the parks. "The parks are green with proper light arrangements, flowers and shady trees. In actual sense the parks of Gandhi Nagar area, especially the Green belt area can be called parks as per actual definition of park", a local Ganesh Sharma said.
The locals of Channi Himmat rued that the negligence on part of Floriculture department towards parks of Channi HImmat locality and extra care to parks of Gandhi Nagar locality. It could be attributed to the people living in these localities. "In Gandhi Nagar locality most VIPs, including politicians, administrative officials are residing whereas in Channi Himmat area some low rung administrative officials as well as businessmen and common citizen are living. The department just wants to keep the VIPs happy for the officials common citizens hardly matter and they are treated as second grade citizens," a local said. |
