VASCO
Several senior citizens in Chicalim are upset over concrete structures being constructed at Jogger’s Park and claim there is no space for recreational activity and exercise.
Many of them, which included retired defence personnel and some regular walkers, gathered to participate in a silent protest to condemn the destruction of greenery in Jogger’s Park.
“It is a silent protest, but our hearts are full of sorrow and pain. Our hills are being cut in the name of development. Now it is our Jogger’s Park that is being destroyed,” lamented Bevindo Fernandes.
Another senior citizen, Constancio Godinho, pointed out that the ongoing concretisation of Dabolim had resulted in massive destruction of greenery.
“In Phase I of the Jogger’s Park, senior citizens relaxed, walked around, enjoyed the beauty of the park. Now, all this has become a distant dream,” he said, opining that most of the structures proposed here had no place in a Jogger’s Park.
Devang Mehta, a local resident recollected that Jogger’s Park was a collaborative venture, with many locals planting trees and everyone coming together as a community to enjoy the natural surroundings.
He along with Saviola Fernandes expressed the fear that business interests and a hidden agenda may mean the end of the last green habitat of Dabolim.
“The huge trees that provided shade and cool breeze have been cut down. The fruit-bearing trees that once sheltered the birds have given way to the concretisation seen all around,” said Saviola Fernandes.
The citizens expressed sadness amid growing speculations that Jogger’s Park was likely to be converted into an amusement park and destination wedding venue.
They lamented that the destruction of the green Jogger’s Park had put an end to their only physical activity of walking and relaxing in the twilight of their lives. They expressed deep regret that in the name of development, Jogger’s Park, which was constructed about 5-6 years back at huge cost to taxpayers, had been summarily destroyed.
An 80-year-old senior citizen expressed anxiety and sadness on learning that during the recent gram sabha in the Chicalim Panchayat, the consultant hinted that the park once redesigned with food court, creche, stage, etc., would be handed over to be managed by a private party.
A young local, Crispino Faria, who came in support of the senior citizens questioned how the Chicalim Panchayat could utilise public money to destroy the green facility and build a new grey concrete one, when they had thrown up their hands with regard to the maintenance of the park.
Forum to protect rights of senior citizens
VASCO: A new ‘Forum Against Corruption, Illegality and Destruction’ comprising concerned citizens has been formed to protect the rights of the elderly.
The forum was formed in response to the many senior citizens who have complained about the destruction of their only recreational facility, Jogger’s Park at Chicalim.
When contacted, Jayesh Shetgaonkar, convenor of the forum, complained that senior citizens had been deprived of their only recreational facility with constructions, which is suspected to be a paid amusement park and a wedding destination.
Many of them, which included retired defence personnel and some regular walkers, gathered to participate in a silent protest to condemn the destruction of greenery in Jogger’s Park.
“It is a silent protest, but our hearts are full of sorrow and pain. Our hills are being cut in the name of development. Now it is our Jogger’s Park that is being destroyed,” lamented Bevindo Fernandes.
Another senior citizen, Constancio Godinho, pointed out that the ongoing concretisation of Dabolim had resulted in massive destruction of greenery.
“In Phase I of the Jogger’s Park, senior citizens relaxed, walked around, enjoyed the beauty of the park. Now, all this has become a distant dream,” he said, opining that most of the structures proposed here had no place in a Jogger’s Park.
Devang Mehta, a local resident recollected that Jogger’s Park was a collaborative venture, with many locals planting trees and everyone coming together as a community to enjoy the natural surroundings.
He along with Saviola Fernandes expressed the fear that business interests and a hidden agenda may mean the end of the last green habitat of Dabolim.
“The huge trees that provided shade and cool breeze have been cut down. The fruit-bearing trees that once sheltered the birds have given way to the concretisation seen all around,” said Saviola Fernandes.
The citizens expressed sadness amid growing speculations that Jogger’s Park was likely to be converted into an amusement park and destination wedding venue.
They lamented that the destruction of the green Jogger’s Park had put an end to their only physical activity of walking and relaxing in the twilight of their lives. They expressed deep regret that in the name of development, Jogger’s Park, which was constructed about 5-6 years back at huge cost to taxpayers, had been summarily destroyed.
An 80-year-old senior citizen expressed anxiety and sadness on learning that during the recent gram sabha in the Chicalim Panchayat, the consultant hinted that the park once redesigned with food court, creche, stage, etc., would be handed over to be managed by a private party.
A young local, Crispino Faria, who came in support of the senior citizens questioned how the Chicalim Panchayat could utilise public money to destroy the green facility and build a new grey concrete one, when they had thrown up their hands with regard to the maintenance of the park.
Forum to protect rights of senior citizens
VASCO: A new ‘Forum Against Corruption, Illegality and Destruction’ comprising concerned citizens has been formed to protect the rights of the elderly.
The forum was formed in response to the many senior citizens who have complained about the destruction of their only recreational facility, Jogger’s Park at Chicalim.
When contacted, Jayesh Shetgaonkar, convenor of the forum, complained that senior citizens had been deprived of their only recreational facility with constructions, which is suspected to be a paid amusement park and a wedding destination.
