Chirping replaced by honking

For one who has never been there before, or at least a decade ago, it would sound incredulous that once it was a park abuzz with children's whoops and a retreat for the adults to breathe some fresh air away from their hectic lives.

But for the last few years, it has been under occupation of some truck owners who are using it as a parking space. Routine chirping and hoots of children have been replaced by regular honking.

Even 10 years ago, Tantibazar Park was equipped with slides, swings, and seesaws -- a sight hard to come across nowadays in this busy city apart from mushrooming restaurants, said Kawsar Ahmed, a resident of Tantibazar.

A small portion of the park was beautified by Heritage, a private firm, in 2008, which somehow drops a hint about its earlier features. But, still locals do not dare visit the park due to the nuisance created by the trucks and pushcarts.

Earlier, the Dhaka city corporation used to dump construction waste in the park in the name of saving it from illegal occupation but the entire park went under occupation after clearing of the rubbish around two years back, said locals.

Md Shakil Ahmed, another resident, said, "I played in this park in my childhood. But our offspring are being deprived of the joy of playing outdoors, which is necessary for their healthy growth."

Another resident, Rajon, 40, added, "It was a very beautiful verdant park where around 400 children of Tantibazar, Malitola and Bangshal played every day."

Around 10 years ago, a road was constructed dividing the park into a big and a small portion. The small renovated portion looks good but parents do not feel safe to take their children there, said Rajon. Nor do health-conscious people and diabetic patients choose to take a stroll due to the occupation, he added.

Sumon Das, also an inhabitant, said there is no place for recreation in the area, especially for children. The park is a blessing for the residents, and the authorities should free it as soon as possible, he thinks.

President of Dhaka Zila Truck Covered-Van Tank-Lorry Sramik Union, Joynal Abedin, said they keep their mini-trucks in the land as they do not have any other space. They have requested the government to give them a truck terminal but to no avail, he added.

Trying to give a justification to the occupation, Joynal also said they are using the parkland now because earlier it was a place for drug peddling and prostitution.

An official at Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), seeking anonymity, said they had tried but were unable to evict the truck owners and drivers as they have backing of the ruling party people.

Chief Estate Officer of DSCC Khalid Ahmed said they will conduct an eviction drive soon to restore the park.