Earlier this year, this paper had launched a sustained campaign that laid bare the sorry state of BMC-run public gardens and parks. The mid-day Garden Audit was conducted over three months, backed on data collected from city-wide test drives of these open spaces that exposed a range of issues. These were discussed at a round-table we organised where senior officials from the BMC were brought face-to-face with activists and citizens. Questions were asked, problems were raised, excuses were furnished and solutions were offered. And eventually, the exercise bore fruit. The corporation passed an order on September 21 saying that henceforth, all parks under its fold would remain open from 9 am to noon, and then again from 3 pm to 9 at night. This meant that Mumbaikars could now access these spaces for an extra five hours, since most were earlier open for only seven hours a day. So, it was a win for the city, to reuse our own words.

But even while lamenting its handicaps, the BMC, in a significant statement, had also put the onus on citizens to ensure the health and maintenance of open spaces in Mumbai. An official had told mid-day about how people defiled toilets, for instance, adding, "Some cooperation from citizens will ensure that these parks can be enjoyed for years to come." In other words, sensitising the populace about proper civic behaviour within gardens is the need of the hour. A part of the solution lies in our own hands, after all. And that's why Love Your Parks Mumbai (LYPMumbai) — a community-driven initiative that's in the works — is definitely a step forward in the right direction.