Karnataka - Mangalore   

Citizens vow to save playground

Special Correspondent

A part of the Shantinagar playground was handed over to Mangalore Electricity Supply Company A part of the Shantinagar playground was handed over to Mangalore Electricity Supply Company

FOR A CAUSE: Shantinagar playground in Mangalore

MANGALORE: Residents of Mangalore have come together to save a playground.

The city of Mangalore that had been developed by the British from 1799, had adequate open spaces and playgrounds, which were part of the declaration of the Canara district in that year when the first Deputy Commissioner Thomas Monroe took charge after the defeat of Tipu Sultan in the Great Mysore War.

Mr. Monroe had ordered the town planning officials to create adequate space for parks, water bodies and playgrounds. The Revenue Department land records' section even to this day has documents to prove that certain areas in the city were meant to be left alone.

But it was not to be. Many open spaces have been usurped by government departments and private parties leaving the city with only a few reserved spaces.

Former Chairman of Mangalore Urban Development Authority K. Thejomaya agrees that the city's dwindling open spaces, play grounds and water bodies were a cause for concern.

`Violation'

President of the "Save Shantinagar Playground Samithi", Lakshman G. Morae, says the samithi was shocked at the Government's handing over of a major part of the playground to the Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM).

It was a violation of the town planning act. Samithi members approached officials concerned in a bid to save this community playground, but in vain.

Public functions held

"This is the only playground and open space available around 10 km for the public," Mr. Morae says. The ground is also used for public functions. The samithi, which met on Thursday, has decided to bring it to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner and chairman of the ESCOMs Bharatlal Meena.

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