Panchayat, Rural Government of India, Panchayati Raj, Indian villages, Villages of India.
Rural parks and parks in panchayats and villages
Here are some key points about rural parks and parks in panchayats and villages:
Rural parks refer to public parks created in rural areas and villages to provide recreational spaces to rural communities. They are important for health, wellbeing and bringing people together.
Many gram panchayats are taking initiatives under schemes like MGNREGA to construct community parks in villages that lack public amenities. These act as rural parks for the area.
Smart parks use technologies like solar energy, LED lighting, smart irrigation and integrate eco-friendly features. Some panchayats are developing smart parks.
Rural parks developed by the panchayat can consist of walking trails, open air gyms, children’s play areas, botanical sections, amphitheaters for cultural programs, water features and clean toilets.
Having a well-maintained village park provides a safe play area for children, space for all villagers to gather, organize events and contributes to the local economy.
It is important that substantial land area is allotted for the village park, with facilities to meet requirements of all age groups and frequent maintenance for its upkeep.
The panchayat must allocate sufficient funds for construction and management of the village park. Public participation in the form of shramdan and donations can also help.
The park should be inclusive, accessible and maximize the use of open spaces in order to promote health and hygiene. Cleanliness, lighting, security and regular upgrades to equipment/facilities should be ensured.
Overall, the panchayat has an important role in conceptualizing the right village park, constructing it with public participation and maintaining it through allocated resources.