Tarun Kartick
Port Blair, Nov 07: Last month Andaman Sheekha had carried a news-item, which showed how some fishermen at Dairy Farm (Ward No. 17) are misusing the public park for drying fishes and fishing net.
Recently Andaman Sheekha team again reached the spot to re-check the present condition of the park and we found that over the months the situation has worsened and now more net weavers and fishermen have started using the park as a place to repair their nets. The place still stinks of dried fish and one can see the fish spread all over the park getting ready to get a good price in the local market.
Adding to the misery of local residents, some people have now started using the park for drying their cloths, making mockery of cleanliness and sanitation works of Port Blair Municipal Council.
The general public of the area has lost all hopes as the authorities take no action instead of media reports and repeated complaints. The joggers have started drifting away, the evening walkers go to far-distant places to get fresh air. As Children have no safe place to play they have use road for cricket and other games. Some run on roads, enjoying their childhood and their parents disheartened because of the fear of accidents.
It’s high time that the authorities wake up and clear the encroachment of the park from the fishermen of the area so that the park is used for the purpose, it was constructed for. The Port Blair Municipal Council must allot some other areas to fishermen for drying fish and repairing fishing nets and keep the park open, only for public and children. The public of the region demands atleast one inspection by the Chairperson, Ward Councillor and Secretary of PBMC in the area to check the ground realities.
