PANAJI
With not a single park for children in Goa’s southernmost Canacona taluka, and only one existing in the northern tip “ Pernem, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has raised concern over the non-availability of parks at several places.
The Commission has also expressed its discontent with the poorly maintained parks in other places, particularly in Mapusa, Quepem, Mormugao and Sanguem.
Chairperson Peter Borges, in a press statement on Tuesday, stated that a rapid survey into the availability and maintenance of children’s parks in the Corporation, Municipal Councils and Village Panchayats brought to light the sad state of children’s parks in Goa.
“While maintenance and safety and security issues are also of concern, it is alarming to note that a large number of villages and municipalities exist with no such facilities for children. The rights of the children to get a congenial atmosphere in these parks befitting their age and dignity are violated,” he said.
A letter in this regard has been sent to the Departments of Municipal Administration and Panchayats as Borges has sought Action Taken Report (ATR) within 4 weeks, on its recommendations.
Following is the summary of findings of the Survey/Assessment :
Pernem - Lone Children’s Park in Pernem consists of 20 Village Panchayats (VPs) and one Municipal Council;
Bicholim - Five parks in the town, and only three children’s parks in 19 VPs; Sattari “ Only one VP - Honda has 3 parks; Valpoi Municipal Council has two parks, Bardez - Highest 33 number of VPs also tops with the highest children’s parks; Tiswadi - 12 children’s parks limited to a few villages; Corporation of City of Panaji maintains 7 parks under its jurisdiction; Canacona - No park either by VPs or the Council; Salcette - largest taluka with 30 VPs has 34 children’s parks; one park in Colva maintained by Directorate of Tourism; 4 parks maintained by Councils; Ponda - 9 parks in VPs, two parks are under the Council; Mormugao - 12 parks under VPs jurisdiction, Council maintains 3 parks; Quepem - 4 parks; Sanguem “ 11 parks; Dharbandoda - lone park maintained by the Sancordem VP.
