Jammu: The public parks in most areas of the Jammu city are in a pathetic condition due to negligence of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC). Public parks and playgrounds had always been very essential for promoting healthy activities among citizens, but unfortunately the neglected parks have failed to attract any visitors, while families have started to avoid visiting these parks due to poor management. Wild grass is growing in these parks. Children do not go to these parks as their parents do not allow them to go due to fear of infection. Wild grass is not trimmed since past many months. Children play in their houses rather than in parks as swings have caught rust.
One such Park which requires JMC attention is at Canal road Rajinder Nagar near IIM Collage Ward 19 which once used to be a favourite destination for people and is now lying in a pathetic state.The park which was frequented by people-children, senior citizens and other groups in hordes for beating heat in sweltering summer and for recreational purposes wears a deserted look. As things stand today, it seems it is no longer under anybody’s watch.The park at present is facing problems on several counts. It seems no gardener is there to maintain it on regular basis. The plants that once provided cool shade and fresh air are wilting. Garbage dumps are seen here and there.The ambience which once attracted people is now quite offensive.
It is very painful to say that this park in the heart of the city which once was main attraction for people is losing its charm courtesy JMC authorities.It is right time that this park be resorted to its pristine beauty before it may be turned into a garbage dumping spot. In the historic city of Jammu, many parks that once served as vital community spaces are now in a state of neglect, either reduced to dumping grounds for household waste or left vulnerable to encroachment without administrative oversight.This decline not only undermines their aesthetic and recreational value but also raises serious environmental and social concerns.
The few parks that remain accessible within the densely populated confines of old Jammu fail to offer a welcoming ambiance. These parks, often frequented by elderly residents and children from neighboringmohallas, are now crowded by residential constructions that have eroded their open charm. The neglect of Jammu’s parks highlights a pressing need for administrative action and community engagement. Restoring these spaces to their former glory would not only enhance the city’s livability but also preserve its historical and cultural essence.For now, however, the parks remain trapped in a cycle of misuse and disregard, reflecting the broader challenges of urban management in the old city
