Nature in any form is always beautiful but parks and gardens have always special place in human life. The Mughal Gardens of Kashmir are living examples of human passion and fascination for parks and gardens. We cannot imagine Srinagar city to be complete without Shalimar, Nishat or Harwan or for that matter Nehru Park, and Chaar Chinar in Dal lake are the floating jewels of the lake. Subsequently developed Tulip Garden is another modern marvel which shows the charm of world-class gardens is still there despite the onslaught of the internet and mobile age. Similarly Bagh-e-Bahu and Mubarak Mandi Royal garden are the lifelines of Jammu City. The musical chirping of parakeets and other birds is a natural stress buster and the enthusiasm of morning or evening walkers is a treat to watch. To maintain and take care of these separate department has been established but unfortunately over time all these once a joy forever parks and gardens are neglected a lot now. As usual passing on the buck is the order of the day as so many departments of Floriculture, Srinagar and Jammu Development Authorities, Jammu and Srinagar Municipalities, Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board, Irrigation and Flood Control, PWD (R&B), Urban Local Bodies and Tourism Department are involved, each having its own set of excuses. Both Jammu Master Plan 2032 and Srinagar Master Plan 2035 have special provisions for developing parks and gardens but in actuality against the prescribed 570.5 hectares of land for parks and gardens, only 242.63 hectares is available in Kashmir and in Jammu also situation is no better. Barring a few, every park and garden sans basic amenities of drinking water or washrooms or sitting benches. Maharaja Hari Singh Park Jammu is a classic example, canteen is present but not functional, the library is there but closed, dustbins are there but without base, broken toilets, a gym and other amenities developed in the park rusting at the far end, the plight of only park in Old City is beyond the scope of words but entry ticket is there. The case of Mubarak Mandi Park is no different, without a fencing or boundary wall, no water cooler, an utterly neglected garden, and yes open water tanks/fountains are there for breeding dengue/malaria mosquitoes. Ramps at entry points for specially able persons are missing. The inability to procure Tulip bulbs for Patnitop Tulip Park is another glaring example of neglect. Though some parks and gardens were taken over for maintenance by certain corporate like Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited under Corporate Social Responsibility, right now they have also been left out and are in a pathetic condition like Canal Head Park and Canal Walk Strip in Jammu. In the past efforts were made to convert beautiful Zanana Park into Civil Secretariat parking and subsequently tried to convert Parade Ground into parking. It seems City Planners are not concerned about providing much-needed greener pastures to the suffocating cities. In both, the Master Plans to shift many offices and development of public amenities including parks and gardens are clearly mentioned but nothing has been done in this direction till now.
The question arises now why these jewels of everyday human life which are stress busters, activities and community centres for the public are in a neglected state, are sufficient funds not available or sheer negligence is there on part of the departments involved? The administration must explore the specific reasons and fix accountability and responsibility. High Court has rightly asked for action taken report, many puzzles will get solved. Respective Divisional Commissioners have been made nodal officers for monitoring the progress and course correction if required. Parks and gardens are important, beautiful cities without them are bodies without souls, as such departments have to develop and maintain them at any cost.
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