Mumbai: Even as open space activists welcomed recommendations made by the Heritage Committee of the BMC to include 23 open spaces including Shivaji Park, Cross Maidan, Azad Maidan and Cooperage in the heritage list, they felt that this was not enough for their upkeep.

They demanded that the heritage committee and the BMC frame a set of dos and dont’s at these sites to protect them.

Last week, the committee concluded that in order to preserve the precious open spaces they need to be accorded heritage status. The recommendation, if approved by BMC commissioner Jairaj Phatak and ratified by the state government, will mean that the original nature of these green lungs cannot be manipulated.

While this will limit the construction on these sites, open space activist have called for a need of special set of rules for their upkeep. Presently, only the Oval Maidan in Churchgate holds a heritage status.

Citispace co-convenor Nayana Kathpalia said, “There are no fixed guidelines of whether political and religious rallies could be held at these sites. The political sabhas held at Azad Maidan often leave the ground in a mess.”

Kathpalia, a member of the Oval trust where political sabhas and organised sports are banned, said that there was a need for the committee to refine its guidelines and incorporate specific rules for maintenance of open spaces.

Others like environmentalists Girish Raut agreed. “Open spaces are meant for public recreation. They must not be allowed for any other activity.” Heritage committee chairman Sharad Upasani however said, “It was for the BMC and the police to decide on whether to allow political and cultural events on these sites. Our role is restricted to recommending their inclusion in the heritage list.”

Municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak that the BMC was applying its mind to the recommendations.

Source : DNA