Kolkata citizens launch drive to save Park Circus Maidan

KOLKATA: #SaveParkCircusMaidan, #SaveOurTrees, #SaveKolkata, #GreenKolk ata, #BreatherKolkata are only a few of the hashtags being used for the campaign to save Park Circus Maidan from the bulldozer.
The campaign is triggered by the KMC launching a project to slice off a part of the Park Circus Maidan—the work for shifting the boundary wall around 5 ft inside the park is already on—to make space on the road to ensure smooth drive of vehicles heading for the Maa flyover at the seven-point crossing at Park Circus.
Those living near Park Circus Maidan and even those who don't got together to ensure preservation of the park, which now seems to have fallen prey to unplanned urbanization. “Today it is Park Circus Maidan, tomorrow it will be Dhakuria Lake or the tree in front of your house. We don't get affected until something happens in our backyard,“ said a Park Circus resident, who with her neighbours, have formed a WhatsApp group for their movement.
The residents' multi-pronged bid to save Park Circus Maidan includes a subsidiary petition, along with the existing ones that have been submitted to Calcutta HC in the form of two PILs by two groups of residents. Tasmin Partapuri, main petitioner against KMC's tree-felling activity along Orient Row, said, “The hearing is likely on Friday . We will plead to the court to stall the encroachment into Park Circus Maidan from the New Park Street side, and ensure the green patch is not touched by KMC or other agency .“
The save-Park Circus Maidan campaign will mostly be on the social media. “Park Circus Maidan has been bearing the brunt of `progress' for a long time now, irrespective of which party ruled.Nobody cares to remember this was one of the greenest patches after Maidan and witnessed the Congress Exhibition in 1930s. How can we allow so much harm to it?“ said a retired Shipping Corporation official, Parimal Roy . “There were times when it was a pleasure to take a deep breath here. Temperature was low, the park served as a respite for walkers. It was the only playground for un derprivileged kids. Now, the park is being swallowed up in a planned way.“
Mayank Sharma, a youth and local resident, said the entire area was under siege.“New Park Street, Suhrawardy Avenue and Syed Amir Ali Avenue were widened by felling magnificent trees overnight. No compensatory planting has been done.“ He has started his own WhatsApp campaign: “Wake up Kolkata. Wake up to fresh air. It's you birthright.“