July 13, 2009, Jaipur
Impose a ban on the movement of vehicles in order to protect and conserve Ram Niwas Garden, says 86% of both local residents and tourists. While 48% opined to put absolute restrictions, 27% supported movement of at least non-motorised vehicles in the area.
These findings came out through a quick response survey carried out by the CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training (CUTS-CART) to obtain public opinion regarding generating a concern for Ram Niwas Garden that calls for a prompt consideration from government.
The lush spacious garden located in the center of modern Jaipur is one of the favorite tourist attractions covering an area of 33 acres and consisting a bird park, a Zoo, the Albert Hall Museum, Ravindra Manch Theatre, art gallery and picnic spots.
Majority (90%) of the people surveyed expressed that the exponential growth of vehicles is creating a negative impact on the flora and fauna. At the same time as an upbeat response, 90 % of the people surveyed agreed to driving an extra mile to maintain its beauty and reducing the traffic burden in the area.
Some of the officials from the forest department informed that a large number of people flock the area and the income generated by visitors help in maintaining the zoo, bird park and the museum. Contrary to this, 69 % of the people surveyed reflected that the area is poorly maintained and 86 % said that there are inadequate public facilities, dustbins and absence of proper seating arrangements. 41% of them believed that the rate of noise and air pollution is quite high and it does not give a sense that one is in a garden.
Highlighting the pitiable situation in the area a group of foreign tourists exclaimed that the area catches huge tourist attention and has all the scope of improvement. Jamila a tourist from Spain said, “Traffic ban in the area can be thought of if there are sufficient alternate routes available for its diversion. This will add more beauty to the area and tourists can also feel safe and move untroubled in the absence of rushing vehicles”.