The Polo Ground Park is in dilapidated condition and the restoration of this historic park to its pristine glory is a matter of concern, concerns Mohamad Yousuf
During Dogra Raj the Polo Ground was considered the most popular play-field in the vicinity of Srinagar, in which horse polo matches were regularly conducted with great pomp and show by the royal family. The ground was so dear to them that they themselves were monitoring its up-gradation. It is said that in the absence of sophisticated mechanized lawn movers and brush cutters Maharaja Hari Singh had fed a flock of special breed of sheep which were engaged to graze the grass at zero level with their tiny teeth to give it a fine carpet like touch. It was also making the ground more graceful and playable. Simultaneously the droppings of the flock were very useful for the thick growth of turf which was working as natural manure.
After independence this royal ground was used for hosting different cultural and social activities like Jashn-i-Kashmir etc.
It was actually stretching from Gor-dav Kadal, present M.A. Bridge, to Polo View. But today the ground is divided into three sections. Eastern section is left for hosting different industrial exhibitions and low profile sporting events. Similarly the western section is earmarked for major football tournaments. After Bakhshi Stadium this ground is considered the second best football field in the valley.
Clearing the field for Santosh Trophy like national level football tournaments by Indian Football Federation was a great tribute to Maharajas who were avid football and polo enthusiasts. Interestingly while watching Football matches Maharaja Hari Singh gave nick names like “Ponz and Tarzan” etc to many veteran footballers for their extra ordinary skills. Late Haji Habib Ullah Dev was a great Goal-Keeper and for his acrobatics and high jumping he was nick named as Habib Ponz by the Maharaja. Similarly, Dr. K.A Tarzan’s uncle Late Ghulam Mohammad was also an ace football player and he was nick named at Tarzan. This title was later adopted by his entire family.
While, the central section of the ground was exclusively developed as Public Park by Agriculture Department. In the recent past this well maintained park was attracting scores of tourists from its locale.
Different varieties of rare flowers, shrubs, creepers/climbers and flowering ornamental and avenue tress were gracefully planted here. The charming weeping willows, Umbrella trees, conifers and variety of roses were adding grandeur to it. The nicely trimmed evergreens in different shapes and sizes were looking magnificent. Some dwarf fruit trees were also excising here. The mighty Chinars are still walling the park from its all sides. During hot summers many people used to sit and sleep under their cool shade for hours together. What a peace and tranquility one was experiencing when seated amidst these mighty trees here, looking at wild nature and forgetting one’s self. But alas! This historic Garden is in shambles today. It has lost its pristine glory. Like Dal Lake this park is also breathing its last.
I remember the Agriculture Department had prepared a fine nursery in a corner of this garden where different varieties of common and hybrid flowers and flowering bulbs including Cannas, Dahlia, Football Lilly, Gladiolus, Lillium, Gerbera, Tulip and Amaryllis etc were sown in narrow and long beds. During its bloom the nursery was giving a carpet like look in different colors when one could catch the sight of this garden from nearby Shankracharya hill top. In my childhood I usually used to climb the hillock and enjoy the view of this fascinating, scintillating, enchanting, mesmerizing and enthralling garden.
No doubt the Floriculture Department has raised the level of the garden after long wait but at many places the water still remains stagnant. Earlier due to raising level of roads and play-fields on all its sides the drainage system was completely blocked and the stagnant water damaged the trees, even many have died. The unwanted grass is grown to knee height. Surprisingly not a single flower bed is properly maintained here which gives bad aesthetic sense.
It is shocking that though the Office of Floriculture Officer, Srinagar is situated in this very garden and the Directorate Office is just a few meters away on opposite side yet they do not initiate any action to preserve this heritage garden. There is a proverb “Near the Church farther from God”, which this Department is observing in letter and spirit. To our dismay they hardly bother to look around their environs and arrange leveling of the garden, fill the ditches, cut tall grass, lay foot paths, cure sick trees, safeguard other rare live trees and shrubs and ensure its preservation. Astonishingly the Department seems more concerned about much hyped Tulip Garden, the flowers of which are not lost for long. The department should spend the bucks, they are earning from Tulip Garden, on other associated parks and gardens.
The department perhaps does not even have sufficient manpower and machinery to maintain the garden. There is a requirement of at least 50 gardeners while as just ten are deployed. They also need modern machines like small rollers, light and heavy mechanized lawn movers and brush cutters etc.
It depicts that the Floriculture Department is not serious to maintain its assets. If so, the Tourism Department has a role to play. They must come forward and initiate its comprehensive facelift, up-gradation, and beautification and restore its original environs like they are brilliantly maintaining the Nigeen Resorts and Zabarvan Park etc. Credit goes to Director Tourism, Mr. Farooq Shah and his nature loving Tourist Officer, Mr. Javed Iqbal Khan for converting barren land near Nehru Park, Ashai Bagh, Nigeen Club and Nand Pora into majestic and prideful gardens. Mr. Javed has great passion for flowers and is monitoring the Nigeen Boat Club lawns himself.
Like Tulip Festival the Tourism Department must organize Flower and Rose Shows in Polo Ground Garden which would certainly attract a sizeable number of visitors to the Park. Since the park is situated in the tourist hub of summer capital the restoration of its pristine glory is badly felt. This garden catches first sight of a tourist so we cannot afford to ignore it. The people in Srinagar are now becoming more health and environment conscious. They love going such parks and gardens often.
Surprisingly the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleague happen to pass through this garden daily but perhaps they too have no interest in nature watching. They do not gaze environs while roaming around in the city centre. Urgent steps are required to be taken to preserve this heritage garden. Making Srinagar a green city doesn’t mean that the Floriculture Department allows the unwanted grass to grow shoulder height behind which scores of dogs take shelter and create menace. The authority concerned must therefore pass effective guidelines for conservation and protection of plant wealth. M.L.A, Amira Kadal constituency must also look into the matter and take up the matter with the concerned authorities and ensure its beautification.
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