Another park in Thimphu

source: kuenselonline.com

Good & Green: A nominal fee will be charged to cover maintenance costs

29 June, 2010 - The more parks the capital city has, the more its recreational use both among the young and the elderly, who utilise the space for picnics, birthday celebrations and play.
Having understood this, Thimphu city corporation (TCC) officials have decided to open yet another park in Changangkha, work on which will begin in two months time.

The new six-acre park will be built for Nu 5M.

Like the other four parks, Motithang, clock tower, Bhutan-Thai friendship and Coronation, TCC chief environment officer Gyeltshen Dukpa said the new park will be meant for both children and elderly residents for their recreational activities.

With more people using the parks for numerous purposes on various occasions and the city having to clean and maintain the parks, Gyeltshen Dukpa said they would have to charge minimal fees to visitors.

“It’s about the parks’ sustainability in the long run,” Gyeltshen Dukpa said. “We can’t always depend on the government.” He also said the corporation charged filmmakers Nu 10,000 for using the parks.

On the state of the parks, he said, Bhutanese lacked civic sense when it came to protecting public property. “It’ll take time for people to develop a sense of ownership for public property,” he said.

Vandals of the park, he said, would be liable for an on the spot fine.

For that very reason, the corporation employs about 16 people to look after the gardens, clean the parks and secure them. Gyeltshen Dukpa said creation of parks was necessary, particularly in urban areas where a majority of its residents favoured concrete structures over the environment.

By Kuenga Tendar