[Urbanstudy] [Fwd: Bangalore residents succeed in keeping entry to parks free]

[Leo Saldanha]

http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-9083.html


  Bangalore residents succeed in keeping entry to parks free

*Bangalore, Dec 11 : Groups of determined Bangaloreans have forced the 
state government to drop its plan to curb free entry of fitness 
<http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-9083.html#> enthusiasts - 
morning/evening walkers, joggers and the like - to the city's two 
landmark parks.*

The Karnataka horticulture department that looks after Lalbagh and 
Cubbon Park gave up the move to introduce ID cards 
<http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-9083.html#> for the regular 
morning/evening visitors to the two sprawling lung 
<http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-9083.html#> spaces of the tech hub.

While entry to Lalbagh, spread over 240 acres in south Bangalore, is 
ticketed during day, for decades, fitness enthusiasts have been flocking 
to it in the mornings and evenings without any restrictions.

In contrast, access to the 330-acre Cubbon Park, across the state 
secretariat Vidhana Soudha in city centre 
<http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-9083.html#>, is free throughout 
the day.

Citing need for heightened security at all public places and also to 
raise funds <http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-9083.html#> for the 
upkeep of the two parks, the horticulture department proposed ID card 
for regular morning/evening walkers and fitness buffs at a cost of 
Rs.200 per year for adults and Rs.100 for children under 12.

The move incensed citizen groups, which thought this was the first step 
to turn the city's public parks into a sort of private space and 
organised series of protests since November when the department 
announced its plan.

"The government has taken the right decision. I welcome the decision. 
Citizens should have free access to parks and public spaces without any 
hassles. Introduction of ID cards is not going to solve security 
concerns of the government," M.R. Doreswamy, president of Lalbagh 
Walkers' Association, told IANS Friday.

The protests were led by various citizen groups, including Lalbagh 
Walkers' Association, Environment Support Group, Slum Jagatthu, 
Vimochana, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti Samyojaka, Sanmathi, Alternative Law 
Forum, Sangama, Stree Jagruthi Samithi, CIVIC Bangalore, Hasiru Usiru 
and Open Space.

Announcing the decision to drop the plan Thursday, horticulture 
department director N. Jayaram, however, said the ID card move was only 
for security reasons and not to impose curbs on regular visitors.

"Citizens of Bangalore are no security threat. Rather the government 
should be more vigilant to make the city safe and secure. Restricting 
Bangaloreans from moving freely within the city is no democracy. We 
welcome the government's withdrawal of its earlier decision," said 
Bhargavi S. Rao, coordinator of Environment Support Group, Bangalore.

"Young and old love these parks. If children from poor families play in 
parks, then elderly come here to relax. Introduction of ID cards and 
fees to enter parks would have deterred poor people from having access 
to city's green spaces," she added.

--IANS




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