This changes in rules comes ahead of the festive season when such parks are used as venues for Ramleelas and other related events.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has relaxed its blanket ban on the use of its “ornamental parks” for socioreligious functions, allowing such parks to be considered for events if they have been used continuously for such events for at least five years.
Concerns have previously been raised over damage to greenery and property when such events are hosted in such spaces.
In February 2021, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a total ban on using public parks and open spaces in Delhi for marriages, social functions, and commercial events, holding civic bodies, such as the MCD and Delhi Development Authority accountable. Signboards indicating responsibility of organisers be put up so that people can check the compliance,” he added. The controversy over use of Delhi’s parks for religious and social functions has a longer history. It was hearing petitions from residents welfare associations (RWAs), highlighting significant environmental degradation and damage to greenery. “A balance has to be maintained between all stakeholders. There are lots of barren park grounds some of which are also being used as parking. Such parks should be prioritised for allocation. Ornamental parks with greenery should not be disturbed ideally but if permission is granted local community members must be part of panels and mechanism to ensure that plants are not damaged and waste not left behind in the park.
Atul Goyal, United RWAs Joint Action, Delhi (URJA) president, said most of the green ornamental parks are “painstakingly” maintained by local communities and efforts must be made to ensure that greenery is not damaged.
