What chokes city’s green lungs?

Before it became the ‘City of Flyovers’, Delhi was once known for its green open spaces.

Before it became the ‘City of Flyovers’, Delhi was once known for its green open spaces. Those greens are now fast disappearing.

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Most parks don’t receive the attention they need from the civic authorities. Some of the best neighbourhood parks are now those maintained by residents themselves.

Many parks also serve as wedding venues and others face encroachment and vandalisation. They have also turned into car parks and community centres.

In a five part series, Hindustan Times will explore and investigate why Delhi is losing its greenery, why the playgrounds for children are shrinking and how open spaces are vanishing.

In the first part, we examine how public funds meant for developing parks is misused and those actually using the parks don’t have a say in it.

The other parts will talk about how commercial and other interests are eating into the city's open spaces.

The series will not just talk about the problems. It will also tell how some people are showing the way forward in such situations.