PAMPORE: Almost 10 important public parks in Saffron town Pampore of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are in ruins due to lack of maintenance by authorities of concerned Municipal Committee Pampore.
These include four public parks in Tulbagh area of Pampore, PNB park, Char Yaar Frestabal park, Kadlabal park, Childrens park Khrew Chowk Pampore, Public park near MCP office and famous Laltrag Park in Drangbal area of Saffron town Pampore.
Locals told Kashmir Reader that Municipal Committee Pampore collects a huge amount of revenue from Pampore by way of taxes and fee. “But, it is ironic that they don’t spend anything for the development of Pampore,” he said.
“Authorities have earmarked and demarcated land for around 10 public parks but they were taken for granted,” said Mohammad Yousuf Malik, a senior citizen of Pampore.
He told Kashmir Reader that these public parks have been turned into dumping sites for garbage and for rearing of cattle.
He also blamed locals for having no civic sense to preserve these parks .
He appealed authorities for appointing some caretakers who will look after them .
The locals said that the parks grow many varieties of wild grass plants and thorny bushes.
“The iron grill around some of these public parks have also been damaged,” the locals said.
Executive Officer MC Pampore told Kashmir Reader that it is in his information that various public parks in Pampore are in dire straits and that due to shortage of manpower they were unable to carry a cleanliness drive for them.
“I raised this issue with my director and floated a tender for engaging a third party for cleaning of these parks ,” he said.
He added that in the next 15 days they will be cleaning these public parks so that visitors can visit there.
He also warned people from throwing garbage , dirt and sewage into the parks.

BILAL HABIB