Opening Cubbon Park gates? We're against it: Greens

Bengaluru: There appears to be little clarity on opening of Cubbon Park gates to traffic, on second Saturdays, Sundays and government holidays. The notification issued by the Home Department came as a shock to the Horticulture Department, walkers and green activists. 

While Deputy Director of Cubbon Park Mahantesh Murgod refused to speak with Deccan Chronicle, Joint Director of Horticulture Dr Jagadeesh said, “We have appealed to the police, while our commissioner Mr P.C. Ray will take it up with higher officials. We are against this move.” 

Interestingly, a source said that Bal Bhavan and Horticulture Department sent letters together to the state government on Friday. “Bal Bhavan had sent a letter to the Horticulture Department, asking for only the gate near the children entertainment area to be kept open for vehicle movement on second Saturdays and Sundays. The other gates will be kept closed as usual. The Horticulture Department officials have taken this and attached their own letter, seeking permission from the state government," the source said.

Mr Yellappa Reddy, Environmentalist and member of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the park, said, “Bal Bhavan approached the government to keep the gates open. This will cause imbalance in the environment, reducing vegetation growth and photosynthesis. This means less oxygen which leads to problems with our heart, lungs and even fertility.”

“When the unburned hydrocarbons and combusted fuel are released during day time, they mix with sunlight creating a deadly pollutant called 'ground level ozone',” the green expert added.  The Cubbon Park Walker's Association is also furious.

“We have been fighting to keep the gates shut. It was closed on the second weekend of the month for the last two years. Why open it? It will affect the birds and bats who are sensitive to noise pollution," said Association president Umesh Kumar.