Srinagar, Sept 28: Stray dogs have dug up a large patch of Joggers Park, in the posh Raj Bagh area of Srinagar city, leaving the once well-maintained recreational ground in disarray. The damage, visible across the lawns, has raised serious concerns among locals, particularly joggers, about the absence of staff oversight and the accountability of those tasked with maintaining the park.
Joggers Park, located in the heart of Raj Bagh, is one of Srinagar’s few open green spaces frequented by morning walkers, elderly residents, and children. Locals said that the park has gradually fallen into neglect, with stray dogs roaming freely and causing destruction. “This is the only place for us to walk in peace, but now dogs have made it unsafe and destroyed the grass cover. Who will take responsibility?” asked a morning walker.
Despite the presence of garbage bins and other infrastructure in the park, locals complained that routine maintenance is missing and staff rarely show up to address problems. “Where are the employees whose job is to look after this park? Accountability is nowhere to be seen. Authorities are only good at inaugurating facilities, but when it comes to upkeep, there is no system,” another jogger remarked.
They said damage caused by stray dogs is not uncommon in urban parks but can be minimized through fencing, regular patrolling, and better waste management to keep animals away. However, in Srinagar, lax enforcement has allowed the problem to persist unchecked.
Joggers and families who rely on the park for exercise and recreation have appealed to the Floriculture Department to immediately repair the damaged lawns and deploy regular staff to monitor the premises. They warned that if such negligence continues, public spaces will lose their purpose and remain unsafe both for recreation and for maintaining Srinagar’s green character. [KNT]
