Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 8: After remaining shut for more than 4 months, the parks and gardens across Kashmir were finally thrown open today for the public. The entry to these parks was made subjected to adherence to the SOPs.
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Scores of people along with children were seen thronging the gardens in Srinagar especially the Mughal Gardens situation on the banks of Dal Lake.
The authorities had stationed people at the entrances of all the major gardens, who were seen checking the fever of people entering the gardens with thermal scanners.
People who were entering the gardens all through the day were seen wearing masks as per SOPs and were seen maintaining social distance amid COVID-19 pandemic.
While, people visiting the gardens were asked to carry a sanitizer with them, the authorities had also made sanitizers available at all the entry and exit points of the gardens and parks.
The opening up of gardens and parks has evoked mixed response from the public. While some are terming the decision as a good step, others are criticising the administration for taking such a decision at what they term as a critical juncture.
“Educational institutions are shut and the administration felt a need of opening the gardens—which I think, was not necessary at all; such move will allow people to mingle further and we don’t know who is infected and who is not; regarding the SOPs, we all know how much people adhere to such SOPs at picnic spots,” Adil Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar said.
He said that people must know that more and more people are getting infected with each passing day.
Others said that it is a good decision and everything cannot be kept closed forever and that there is a need for people to adhere to the guidelines. “People want to come out in the evening to breathe in some fresh air amid scorching heat and to do that parks and gardens are good spots, but at the same time, we have to adhere to SOPs,” a resident said.
Notably, as the Tulip Garden was not opened in the wake of COVID-19 infection, the garden did not witness any visitors this year, resulting in huge loss to the department that has been manning the garden and had added an additional variety of Tulips this year.
Meanwhile, a substantial rush of people was witnessed at the parks and gardens in Srinagar, especially those situated along Dal during the evening. Eye witnesses reported that people did not bother about following the SOPs.
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