KUPWARA: A Public Park, constructed by Tourism Department in the heart of town here has been turned into a Garbage dumping site with people alleging that the concerned department was watching all that as mute spectator.  Constructed in 2010 with a cost of around Rs 25 lakh by Lolab-Bungus-Drungyari Tourism Development Authority (LBDTDA), the  park, according to locals, is continuously being damaged by some miscreants who vandalize prized Deodar furniture of its huts, costly  hoarding on its gate, iron railings ,benches and dump garbage to convert it into a garbage dumping site.

 

Social Activist Adv. Umar Farooq told our Special correspondent Wasim Majnoon Mir, that he sometimes was regular visitor to this old park that families will always prefer to spend time with their loved ones after their hectic workload in such parks but the negligence of local authorities stopped families to entertain with their children as well as loved ones. He however appeal the local administration to maintain and manage the park properly for the sake of families.

 

"The Video with us showed pedestrians urinating on a wall ,however one of the Pedestrian defended himself, saying there was no urinal for long distances, he said his intention was not wrong when he wanted to relieve himself, toilet was available in this Public Park but right now this toilet is used for shopkeepers store room, he added." “It is unfortunate that being Kupwara a district headquarter, officials have not paid attention to maintain the park, a group of students told our correspondent." "They said if Tourism Department was unable to maintain it, they should hand over the park to private parties who can take care of it and also add more facilities there."