We need to make gardens, parks safe spaces, too

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Two youngsters were attacked by three people at a Thane garden recently. Two young men went to the garden adjacent to a lake in the area to shoot a video. They were approached by attackers armed with knives, who were trying to steal their mobile phones. Both the boys managed to escape.

Security is a problem in parks and while one sympathises with the boys, it is important to stay away from gardens after closing time. The wall of this garden, like several others in the city, is broken and the Thane municipal authorities need to move double quick to fix this.

We need to see good lighting at these parks and if upping police presence is difficult because of paucity, other security personnel can help fill the vacuum. It is also vital that the park and the surrounding areas have good CCTV surveillance, for obvious reasons.

The ongoing pandemic has put a lot of stress on the outdoors. These spaces are becoming the ‘safest' in context of the virus, from allowing people to take in some fresh air and sunlight, to revelling in nature and lifting some of the depression that living through restrictions, fear of the future and uncertainty has brought on.

This puts a lot of emphasis on having safe surroundings while in the park, otherwise gardens with their skeletal security, poor lighting become ideal opportunistic spaces for goons and hoodlums. It is also imperative to listen to the community, the locals around these spaces who may have insights into a bad situation or steadily worsening one, and for the local police authorities to respond appropriately.

Mumbai's push to go green is a welcome one but we need to ensure that our gardens are not just green getaways, but safe, temporary, light refuges from the stress and strain of confined living.