The city that once boasted of its never ending tree trails, green and open spaces, cycling tracks and clean, fresh air has now turned into a concrete nightmare.
The air quality has recently been examined and assumed to be worse than smoking multiple cigarettes in a day.
The foliage laden lush gardens and the hill tops have given way to concrete monstrosities that are touted as part of the city’s progress. Development yes, but at what cost is we asked citizens:
“Of lately, there have been talks between the residents of Deccan and the authorities regarding the development of a biodiversity park on Mhatoba Tekdi,” says a regular hill goer and a resident of Deccan.
We are very concerned about the hill and won’t allow any kind of construction that might affect the natural habitat and ecosystem at large.
“It will be like culling the existing trees to plant more trees. Pune is as it is losing its open spaces, parks, gardens, recreational centres and such interference will only do more bad than good. However, the authorities have assured that the project will be carefully monitored and no concretisation will take place. Still we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that our hills are not destroyed,” she adds.
The WHO (World Health Organisation) recommends 9sqm of open green space for each citizen, however according to the data available with the ministry of urban development, Pune has only 1.4sqm per capita recreational space.
We want to be a smart city ignoring our open spaces and green lungs…
“A limited number of playgrounds, parks and spaces for kids is taking a toll on the way they lead their life,” adds another active citizen, Manoj Devkar.
They do not go out to play in playgrounds since they are hardly any left. Also, parents cannot allow them to play on the busy roads due to the risk factor. In such circumstances, they resort to electronic devices that are ruining their physical and mental health.
“Even senior citizens have stopped going for walks due to the lack of safe spaces. We are only increasing the density of the concrete jungle which will someday choke us.”
“Builders are taking up all the open spaces and construct high-rise buildings with only a square foot of green patch within the colony.
Law must mandate that within a given radius, there must be a large open green space, that is sufficient for the population of that area.
“People will at least come out of their house. Moreover, it will help increase the number of diverse species of birds visiting the city and add positively to the environmental and health needs.
“Also, the available spaces are encroached by hawkers and vendors including the footpaths. Open spaces cannot be ignored and the authorities and citizens must take effort to make this happen,” says a city based social and NGO worker, Prerna Rai.
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Reach her at loveleen@pune365.com or tweet @KaurKaur18
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