IN the 1980s, the Aunty Parl(in Clifton Block5 started attracting peoplefor morning and evening walks and exercises.
The visitors included both men and women of all ages and from all wall(s of life. The park became a favourite spot for them due to its beautiful surroundings and shady trees. While wall(ing in groups, people would develop friendships which they still recall as pleasant memories.
Around 15 years ago, some senior citizens formed a yoga group and have been regularly holding daily sessions without a breal(. Carrying out yoga for about an hourevery day under the shade ofthick trees became an interesting and rewarding experience for them.
However, the park management had a shocl(ing surprise in store for the wall(ers and yoga enthusiasts recently when it removed more than 95 per cent of the tall and thicl( conocarpus trees without advance replacement plantation. The trees have been cut above the ground level, leaving stumps, pads and underground roots around.
The reason cited by the management is that the trees consumed a lot of underground water and were not as healthy as other species. Whatever the cause, the management should have safeguarded the interests of senior citizens and committed walkers who have been caught completely off-guard and left to suffer the emotional anguish.
Now, people do not come to the park for morning walks due to the scorching heat generated by direct sunrays. A small portion of the remaining trees should be retained to enable yoga enthusiasts to continue their healthy activity under their shade until new plantation matures.
Parvez Rahim Karachi