Covid-19: Citizens in Kolkata get back green space after three weeks – Times of India

Kolkata News
Basabdatta Sarkar & Amit Moulik
KOLKATA: More people turned out on a murky Monday morning at Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar when restrictions imposed in the wake of the third wave were eased for three hours than they had in bright and sunny mornings post the first wave in June 2020 and the second wave exactly a year later.
“The turnout was lower than usual on a winter morning. But it was definitely a lot better than the few who had turned up when the lake had reopened last year and the year before. Also, everyone who turned up was masked up,” said Sangita Dey, a resident of Lake Road who works as a marketing research consultant and has been a regular at the Dhakuria lake for a decade and a half.

While the fear of the unknown had kept many citizens away in 2020, the double dose mandate for entry after the second wave led to the low turnout then. On Monday though, neither fear nor vaccination was an issue. With most citizens now fully vaccinated and some even administered the booster dose, people were relieved to be back at the lake.
While Dey used to walk along Southern Avenue during the three-week shutdown, businessman Gautam Guchhait had stopped exercising altogether. “Some sections of the pavement are encroached upon, there is dog poop everywhere. One is often forced to walk on the road and that is hazardous. I don’t know why the lake was shut in the first place but I am glad it has reopened and we can exercise now,” he said.
Across the city at Subhas Sarobar in Beliaghata off EM Bypass, advocate Biswanath Bhowmick who lives on Rajamohan Dutta Garden Lane also wondered what prompts the closure of lakes and parks when they are open-to-air venues where chance of infection is much less than air-conditioned closed spaces that have continued to function.
“When people walk and exercise, they stay fit. And that is important to combat diseases. I hope we have seen the last of closures for parks and lakes. I look forward to them staying open for extended hours so that there is no crowding,” he said.
Physician Kallol Banerjee, who was among several dozen citizens who had written an open letter to CM Mamata Banerjee, urging her to step in and open parks and lakes, thanked the administration for responding. But he too said it would have been nice if these green open spaces had stayed open till late evening so that people could choose the time to exercise as per their convenience.
“Parks and lakes make a difference to people’s physical and mental health. People get rejuvenated just being close to nature. Seeing others exercise is also inspiring. During the pandemic, when children and senior citizens are cooped up at home, parks mean breaking the shackles and hope for a brighter future,” he pointed out.
For Keya Chatterjee, a resident of Charu Market, the opening of Rabindra Sarobar meant a reunion with friends who practice yoga there. “I was missing everyone. The yoga sessions we have together are so uplifting. It was great to be back,” said Chatterjee.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/citizens-get-back-green-space-after-three-weeks/articleshow/89102846.cms