SOMEONE STEALING YOUR OPEN SPACES CALL US…….Alka Shukla
Twenty-two residents bodies join hands with top lawyers,architects to save Mumbais gardens and playgrounds
Twenty-two residents bodies join hands with top lawyers,architects to save Mumbais gardens and playgrounds
What started as a small movement in Juhu has snowballed into possibly one of the biggest campaigns to save the last remaining open spaces in this concrete city.
Save Open spaces – aptly abbreviated to SOS- is a movement which now has 22 citizens associations between Versova and Bandra pledging to fight tooth and nail to protect the fast-disappearing open spaces in the suburbs from land sharks and corrupt politicians.
“We are not just talking about areas reserved for recreation and play grounds.Even basic rules like leaving a stipulated open space while constructing a residential complex are being flouted,”said architect Nitin Killawala of JVPD
Someone stealing your open spaces? Call us
Association,who is part of the campaign,citing the example of how dozens of trees were bulldozed for creating unsightly skywalks all over the suburbs.
The idea,say those involved with the campaign,is not only to create awareness about open spaces but also empower those fighting for it.Anybody who sees an open space being encroached can approach us and we will take it up.But we also intend to teach them how to deal with such issues, said filmmaker Ashoke Pundit,an active member of SOS.
Eminent architect P K Das suggests a more systematic approach to save and enhance open spaces.We plan for construction but not for open spaces, he says.The idea is to expand the open spaces through a systematic approach. This,says Das,includes relooking at even market places and public halls as open spaces and ensuring that they are protected through a participatory planning process involving both citizens and civic bodies.
While SOS has both ordinary citizens and eminent ones lending their muscle,those like celebrity lawyer Vibhav Krishna,believes the association of heavyweights with such campaigns only help creating awareness.We have volunteered to help anybody who is fighting to save an open space and that too pro bono, he says,adding.Sometimes it is difficult for an individual to fight against the system,given the bureaucracy and red tapism and the pressure.That is where our services will be useful.
Even as you read this,SOS is garnering support,with a presence on social networking sites and a pledge of support from several educational institutions in the suburbs.After all,someone has to speak up against the step motherly treatment meted out to the suburbs when it comes to planning and beautification, says a SOS member.
Meanwhile,among the several NGOs who have come under the SOS umbrella,are those who work along similar lines in the city.From Versova to VT,the objective is the same,they say.
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