In recent days, the proposed construction of a two-storey structure in the heart of Margao’s Municipal garden has sparked an outcry from the public. The situation even prompted a prominent political leader to go on a hunger strike to voice dissent against the project. Gardens are not just aesthetic additions to our cities but are vital to our survival. They act as the lungs of urban environments, providing much-needed fresh air in an age when air quality is rapidly deteriorating due to industrial pollution and increasing vehicular emissions. Trees also provide a natural habitat for various species of birds and insects. In the past Margao garden has been a place where families, children, and individuals used to come to relax, breathe in fresh air, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Rather than putting up a concrete structure, the authorities should consider environmental conservation. More trees need to be planted in gardens and not replace them with concrete buildings. If the structure is allowed to come up in Margao garden, it will set a bad precedent for concrete structures coming up in gardens in cities across the State.
