Bengaluru Citizens Rally for Extended Park Hours as Summer Temperatures Soar
In Bengaluru, a heated debate is unfolding as summer temperatures climb, with a growing citizens' campaign advocating for public parks to remain accessible throughout the hottest parts of the day. Residents and activists are actively auditing parks across various neighborhoods, meticulously documenting closure schedules and instances of locked gates. Their core argument is clear: green spaces serve as vital public infrastructure and should be open when the heat is most intense, providing much-needed relief.
Campaign Gains Momentum in South Bengaluru
The movement is particularly strong in south Bengaluru, where the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) initially permitted parks to operate from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, this directive was later revoked, leading many parks to close between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and again at 8 p.m. This restriction severely limits access during the day's harshest periods, impacting professionals, students, gig workers, and street vendors who rely on these spaces for respite.
Campaigners emphasize that in a city experiencing rising temperatures, shaded public areas are not a luxury but a necessity. They argue parks should remain open when they are most needed, especially for vulnerable groups without access to private cooling options.
Initiative Led by Environmental and Health Groups
The push for full-day park access is spearheaded by the Indian Ploggers Army in collaboration with Heat Watch India. Residents are encouraged to submit photographs and details of parks that are closed during afternoons. Nagaraj, widely known as ‘Plog Raja', is leading the effort. "The data will be collated over one month, after which the team plans to approach the respective city corporation commissioners with an appeal to extend the timings," he stated.
Nagaraj highlighted the importance of parks for various communities: "For delivery partners and laborers building our city, a park is often the only place to find shade and a meal. For office-goers with lunchboxes, it's a necessary alternative to restaurants that do not allow outside food." He urged local authorities to prioritize dignity and community care over rigid operational hours.
Public Health and Maintenance Considerations
Apekshita Varshney, founder of the HeatWatch Foundation, described reinstating extended park timings as a simple yet crucial public health measure. "People from every walk of life use parks, but the impact falls hardest on those without private cooling, including gig and platform workers, waste workers, domestic workers, and more, who depend on parks for a moment of rest and some shade," she explained.
On the administrative side, BSCC joint commissioner Naveen Kumar Raju noted that corporation staff require three to four hours daily for park maintenance. He indicated a willingness to discuss extending timings with the commissioner in light of the summer season, balancing upkeep needs with public demand.
Residents Share Personal Experiences and Comparisons
Ridhi Jayaprakash, a student and resident of JP Nagar, shared her reliance on parks: "Recently, when I was spending all day at the library, the park was the only place I could go to eat my lunch and clear my head. I still remember being a three-year-old, coming home from kindergarten, and sitting with my grandmother while she fed me tomato rice under the trees. These are not just patches of grass; they are a huge part of our lives. With the city getting this hot, closing them early feels like taking away the only cool, quiet spot we have left."
Siddharth Munot, a resident of Jayanagar 4th Block who frequents Akkamadevi Park, pointed out regional disparities: "Parks are public property and should be open round the clock, especially during summer. Most other states, like Rajasthan and Maharashtra, keep parks open the whole day. I'm unsure why Karnataka has a different policy."
As the campaign continues, it underscores a broader call for adaptive urban policies that address climate challenges and enhance public welfare in Bengaluru.
