Bangalore did not get its name for no less reason than it had amazing parks. Clean roads and fresh crisp air. Monsoons came and did their piece of work, washed the roads clean and the pathways glistened under a muddy drift. Clement climate and disposition, kept the small city open to tourists, and the floating holiday seekers. But the public, at large, do not use the parks as they should.

We must make sure the green granary is not lost to the next of the generation! First is the problem that is endemic to India: population. Large numbers gather in parks, most of them with little regard for the environment. While humaneness is part of all our lives we cannot leave behind hygiene. The public will have to be strictly warned with very effective sign boards, and patrolling, and must effectively send the message that parks are not to be abused. In the interest of environmental cleanliness, and the gardens which house our oxygenating trees, charge fees that will come to benefit the users and the park.

Parks were laid before the advent of rubber and poly-fibres in the industry. People would probably come in for a walk, and if at all they picnicked it must have been with home made food and the Indian belief of not wasting would have taken care of the leftovers, carefully packed and taken back home.

But today the botanical parks invariably get invaded, and misused and the food and litter debris is far too much and unmanageable, especially parks around water bodies. The water bodies are not spared either. If there is also an amusement area with food vendors, then the damage is even more.

The ravage is evident on the grass, treaded on, one too many times. The earth begins to show in patches and then it acquires a dried look, ironically the green gets lost from where it should be in all its glory. Too many trodden pathways begin to appear, and the park loses its manicured look; it begins to look tired.

Amusement parks can cater to children, while botanical parks should be spared the ravage, and passionately guarded as un-spoilt lung space. A clear differentiation of the two must be understood by the city civic boards. Things may have fallen into place 30 or 40 years ago, with people responsive of environmental cleanliness. On the other hand if we very conscientiously mark the difference in botanical gardens, residential parks and amusement areas, we will all gain by it.

Amusement parks charge a substantial fee, which can be utilised to clean up the area, and besides the concrete and sand can be quite easily managed despite the number of people coming into the amusement area. The purpose of entertainment is served.

Botanical parks must be looked upon as national heritage. It must be enjoyed for the green it offers. There should be no children play area, whereby it will not attract the crowd. I have nothing against children, but parents mess it up with food remains or allow children to urinate behind bushes! If the food vendors are driven away, people will not gather in the hope of a picnic. Only those who want to enjoy the quiet park and its bounty will come, and they will not abuse the park. Thus our parks will remain lush and inviting to nature lovers and they will reign in glory with oxygenating trees and the city can be proud of its bounty. We will all be rewarded!