1993 Supreme(Raj) 515
RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT AT JAIPUR BENCH
V.S.Dave, J.
Ram Chandra Kasliwal, Advocate - Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan & ors. - Respondent
S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 681 of 1988.
Decided On : 2-04-1993
Public parks are to be maintained as parks and should be restored to their original form, except for modifications to improve upon them, providing facilities for better enjoyment of the planned city, and should maintain their health as if they are lungs of the city.
Headnote:
RAMNIWAS GARDEN - PUBLIC PARK - ENCROACHMENTS - VEHICULAR TRAFFIC - BAN - MAINTENANCE - LEGAL FRAMEWORK - COURT'S ANALYSIS - DIRECTIONS.
Fact of the Case:
Petitioner, a lawyer, filed a writ petition in public interest seeking directions to the State of Rajasthan to remove encroachments and vehicular traffic from Ramniwas Garden, a public park in Jaipur, and to maintain its identity and activities.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the garden was in a peevish condition due to mis-management, encroachments, and vehicular traffic, and that its grandeur was lost. It also found that the State and local authorities had failed to maintain the garden and protect the public's rights.
Issues: 1. Whether the garden is a public park and whether its character is maintained. 2. Whether encroachments and vehicular traffic can be allowed in the garden. 3. Whether the garden can be used for activities like Circus, Public Meetings, Kavi Sammelans, etc. 4. Whether the identity of the garden can be maintained.
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that Ramniwas Garden is a public park within the meaning of the Rajasthan Public Parks Act, 1959, and that its character must be maintained. 2. The court held that encroachments and vehicular traffic cannot be allowed in the garden as they violate the provisions of the Act and the Rules framed thereunder. 3. The court held that the garden cannot be used for activities like Circus, Public Meetings, Kavi Sammelans, etc., as they spoil the serenity of the garden and destroy the green plantation. 4. The court held that the identity of the garden must be maintained and that activities like the Circus, Public Meetings, Kavi Sammelans, etc. should be banned in the garden.
Final Decision: The court allowed the writ petition and directed the State of Rajasthan to remove encroachments and vehicular traffic from Ramniwas Garden, to stop and prohibit vehicular traffic through the garden, to provide a separate approach to Ravindra Manch, to maintain the identity of the garden, and to ban activities like the Circus, Public Meetings, Kavi Sammelans, etc. in the garden.
JUDGMENT
1. - As a conscious citizen of Jaipur, an eminent lawyer, Shri Ram Chandra Kasliwal, the petitioner, rightly turned his head from briefs to public grievances and finding the condition of famous Ramniwas Garden, a pride public park of Pink City, Jaipur in peevish condition, filed this writ petition in public interest praying that a direction be given to the State of Rajasthan to remove/demolish encroachments made in this, park by R.S.E.B., P.H.E.D., N.C.C. etc. and the vehicular traffic, which has turned this park into thoroughfare, should be stopped and prohibited. It is also prayed that the vehicles which come to Ravindra Manch should not enter through the main entrance gate of Ramniwas Garden and it should be provided with a separate approach. Prayer is also made that identity of the garden must be maintained and activities like the Circus, Public Meetings, Kavi Sammelans etc. should be banned in the garden.
2. The petitioner's grievance is that the grandeur of the garden is totally lost because of sheer mis-managment. It has no more remained a public park but has become a market place, a thoroughfare, a highway where all kinds of vehicles, automobiles, rickshaws move from early morning till late night and any numbers of Hawkers and beggars chase the tourists and several Khomchas and Thelas move from place to place to sell their goods. It is submitted that Ramniwas Garden in its original shape is not only a garden or a park but it is a complete complex for learning and entertainment dedicated to the people by the erstwhile Rulers of Jaipur. This garden has a Museum known throughout the country and the garden also has a Zoo, a play-ground known as Union Football ground, a small Cricket Pavelion and Ground known as Jaipur Cricket Club, Jaipur, Ladies club so on and so forth. The petitioner's further grievance is that though Ramniwas Garden has been declared as a public park and included in the Schedule to the Rajasthan Public Parks Act, 1959, yet its character is not maintained. His grievance is that neither the State nor the local Authorities have ever realised that they are the trustees of the public interest and have to safe-guard the public rights, on the contrary they are betraying the trust the shirking their responsibliities in every manner possible. He has submitted that this garden is being used for Circus Shows, Exhibition etc. which have not only spoiled the serenity of the garden but destroyed the green plantation. It is submitted that number of Khomchawalas and Caterers have entered the garden and are spoiling the entire ,ecology as they not only emit foul smell and smoke but garbage is always thrown on roads and at various places. Petitioner's grievance is that as the nuisance in the garden is not abated it became difficult for the morning walkers even to have their morning walks in this garden.
3. Notices were issued to all concerned. Thereafter the court felt the genuine difficulty of the morning walkers, therefore, directed the garden Authorities not to allow traffic in the garden up to 8.00 a.m. so that morning walkers could breathe unpolluted free air in the morning. The court also directed that no Circus Show or any exhibition which are likely to disturb the ecology of the garden should be permitted till further orders of the court. When the parties appeared - before the court they filed replies also. After going through the contents of the writ petition and the replies filed I thought it proper to call in person the Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Jaipur and senior Town Planner, Jaipur Development Authority, Jaipur. Thereafter they appeared before the Court. It was found advisable that the officers of the various other departments of the State should also be invited to have a round table meeting and thereafter submit a plan to this court. Administrator, Municipal Council, Jaipur, Senior Town Planner, J.D.A., Jaipur, Addl. Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Jaipur, Executive Engineer (B&R) City
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