‘How long can we fight anti-social elements?': Once a popular tourist spot, Shimla's Glen Nature Park now lies in shambles

Indian Express

4 days ago

Tattered remains of a welcome signboard at the entry gate, a partially burnt and broken wooden floor of a rain shelter, and piles of garbage at various spots: nearly seven years after it was inaugurated amid much fanfare, Glen Nature Park in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla presents a dismal picture of official apathy today.
'When the park was inaugurated, locals and tourists would flock in large numbers to enjoy walking the trails. Over the period, things deteriorated, footfall declined, and unsocial elements made this park their haven,' says Raghuvir Chandel, a Kaithu resident and a frequent visitor to the park.
Inaugurated in July 2018, Glen Nature Park spans around 164 hectares and is surrounded by Annandale, Chaura Maidan, Summer Hill and Boileauganj. It has three walking trails, including the historic British-era Brass Path leading to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, through scenic vistas lined with cedar, pine and oak trees. The other two trails lead to Himachal Pradesh University at Summer Hill and Sangti village. Entry to the park is free.
'Imagine the hooliganism: people did not just break the wooden floor of the rain shelter, they also burnt it to cook food. It is still lying unrepaired. The park shares a boundary with a government residential colony, and residents found a good dumping ground for their garbage,' adds Chandel.
The park is bisected by the main link road connecting the Annandale Helipad and Chaura Maidan near the Vidhan Sabha building. The portion under the Gawahi Gram Panchayat, where the three trails are located, is visibly in a better condition than the other half.
'How long can we fight antisocial elements?' says Sanjay Azad, president of the Gram Sudhar Sabha, Gawahi. 'We have informed the authorities, including the local police and forest department, several times. Someone from our village calls the police or forest guards every other day. While responses do come, they are temporary. A permanent solution would be regular deployment of guards and staff at the park,' Azad adds.
Azad is part of a voluntary group working for the betterment of the village and its neighbouring areas, including Glen Nature Park. 'But without the authorities' contribution, our wings are clipped,' he adds.
Pawan Chauhan, Shimla Divisional Forest Officer (Urban), admits that they are aware of these issues. 'Though we do not have permanent staff posted at the park, Glen Beat Forest staff visit there periodically. We also conduct cleanliness drives from time to time. The wooden floor of the rain shelter was burned a year ago, and we are aware of it. The wooden floor and signboard will be repaired as soon as we receive a budget,' he says.
'We have repaired the motorable road and the walking trails, but it cannot support regular vehicular movement. During incessant rains in 2023, landslides took place in the park, and many damaged sections have since been restored,' Chauhan adds.