ISLAMABAD
\nAfter a week-long hassle, every weekend thousands of Islamabad Capital Territory residents throng different parks across the city to spend some leisure time close to nature.
\nGrassy tracts, blooming flowers and chirping birds soothe these visitors and recharge their spirits for another busy week ahead. Commonly the minors who have more attraction for these parks enjoy much here on weekly holidays.
\nNot only for locals, Islamabad\u2019s parks are also a favorite spot for people coming from other cities to enjoy these green spaces offering much-needed breathing room in a fast-paced life. However, the increasing footfall at its known recreational spots like Lake View Park, Rose and Jasmine Garden, Daman-e-Koh, Shah Allah Ditta Caves and Saidpur Village is putting pressure on their upkeep.
\nSince, Islamabad is known for its clean air, serene environment and wide stretches of greenery, its bustling parks where children enjoy swings and slides and families relish picnic parties, need more attention due to visitors\u2019 pressure. If students come here for studies and group discussion, other people have their own reasons like enjoying leisure time, sports, walks or simply to spend a peaceful afternoon.
\nBut as the number of visitors grows, so does the pressure on the parks themselves. These places were not designed to handle such large crowds on a daily basis. While the city continues to expand and tourism rises, the maintenance of these parks is becoming tedious in view of irresponsible attitude of visitors.
\n\u201cPeople who come from different areas and many among them are to careless and litter these parks with wrappers, empty tins, tissue papers and sometimes by throwing edibles brought for picnic,\u201d said Muhammad Saleem, a visitor at Lake View Park. \u201cWhen dustbins are there, why don\u2019t they use them.\u201d
\nSaleem\u2019s concern is also common among other nature lovers who are irked by littering when they come to these parks for morning walk. The Capital Development Authority (CDA), responsible for the upkeep of these parks, is aware of the challenge and deploys staff for parks cleanliness.
\n\u201cOur staff works throughout the day in rotations to clean and maintain green spaces,\u201d said Shahid Kiyani, CDA\u2019s spokesperson. \u201cBut visitors\u2019 attitude is pathetic. They continue littering these places and show least responsibility.\u201d Despite the CDA\u2019s efforts, cleaning teams often find themselves overwhelmed.
\nOn busy days, especially weekends and public holidays, the number of visitors multiplies and so the volume of littering, damaged plants and overused benches and swings.\u201d Muhammad Asif, another visitor, echoed similar concerns and said despite regular cleaning, some areas remain untidy.
\n\u201cThe cleaning staff do their job, but how can they manage if people keep throwing garbage again and again. It\u2019s not just the workers\u2019 responsibility; it\u2019s ours too.\u201d The maintenance issue even goes beyond cleanliness as these parks also need regular watering and trimming plants and grass, repairing swings and walking paths and ensuring that water fountains and public restrooms are functional. But, this requires more manpower, planning and funds.
\n\u201cMaintaining these spaces is an ongoing effort. Thousands visit here every day. It takes a lot to keep them clean and functional,\u201d said Director Parks, Muhammad Saleem. \u201cWe are doing our best, but we need public cooperation.\u201d He said the CDA tries to improve facilities and expand green areas but keeping within our budget and human resource.
\nAnother concerns is vandalism. Some visitors\u2019 damage park property, scribble on walls or misuse playground equipment. These acts, though carried out by a few, yet affect others too. Although the CDA runs awareness campaigns occasionally, yet visitors least bother to obey their advisories.
\nIn this situation, preachers, parents and teachers can play a role to educate our elders and students to keep these places clean.
\nSchools can contribute by organizing trips that focus not just on fun but also on civic responsibility. It is appreciable that local volunteer groups sometimes organize clean-up drives but needed much is strict implementation of regulations for parks maintenance and penalize those violating these regulations.
\nMoreover, increasing the number of dustbins and placing them at convenient spots can help reduce littering.
\nRegular feedback from park users through surveys or suggestion boxes can also provide insight into areas that need improvement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD After a week-long hassle, every weekend thousands of Islamabad Capital Territory residents throng different parks across the city to spend some leisure time close to nature. Grassy tracts, blooming flowers and chirping birds soothe these visitors and recharge their spirits for another busy week ahead. Commonly the minors who have more attraction for these […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":475103,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-475081","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n