Environmentalist worried over poor condition of gardens

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 11

Renowned environmentalist PS Bhatti has expressed concern over poor condition of gardens and parks in the city. He criticised the administration and asked it not to change the character of the historic Ram Bagh.

The environmentalist from the Missionaries Khudai Khgidmatgaran has said Ram Bagh, Gole Bagh, Sakatri Bagh and Chali-Khuh Bagh were city’s premier public parks.

“It is sad that the conditions of all these baghs are miserable. There is no proper maintenance, curing, trimming or cleaning of these gardens. It’s free for all. Anybody can do anything to trees, space or do the architecture there”, he said.

“People are feeding dogs and they destroy small plants and flower beds. Grains for birds are thrown around the tree trunks and rats feed on them instead of birds. Every tree has more than 10 rat holes around their trunks. During rains the water enters the rat holes and even if there is average wind after rain the tree tilts. There are more than hundred such tilting trees in Ram Bagh only. Already more than 500 trees have fallen due to administrative heedlessness. No Commissioner has ever inspected the parks or had discovered the reason for these falling trees”, said Bhatti.

The Missionaries Khudai Khidmatgaran claimed that trees were falling due to administration’s negligence. Many trees need pruning or periodical care and treatment. Last year, the Missionaries Khudai Khidmatgaran and Pollution Control Committee had treated, cured and painted 32,000 trees in Amritsar.