Sir,
This in reference to your news “Locals say no to multi-storey parking…” DE 16 Oct 2013. It surely seems a bizarre idea by ERA and Urban Development Ministry to build a parking lot in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu by replacing an already existing park. The most interesting thing in this whole scenario is that the concerned authorities are figuring out this totally irrational plan when they have an access to two adjacent vacant plots to construct the parking lot. Moreover,all this is happening when on one hand Minister for Horticulture and Culture has directed the Floriculture Department recently for the maintenance of the parks and stressed on the need to develop more green spaces within the city.
This beautiful park of Gole Market is used for morning/evening walks, exercise and recreation by all kinds of people, especially elderly. The best thing in this case is that the people of the area are active to save this park at any cost.
In relevance to Jammu city, the importance of trees cannot be ignored, especially if we look at the recent demographic growth in the city and its associated environmental demands. In such a scenario, the need of natural green spaces is highly desirable for the healthy lifestyle of people. Urban greens have significant amenity and recreational use value contributed towards quality of urban life. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) norms, 9.Om2 of green space per city dweller is needed ideally and most of Indian cities fail to fullfill this standard.So the need of the hour is that the policy makers should realize the utility of urban green spaces, because the connection between human welbeing and ecosystem services is closely linked.
Yours etc….
Hema
IIMC, Jammu
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