Public spaces are developed to be enjoyed by all, but they also come under rules to protect the environment and to keep them clean. At Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan in Uzan Bazar, Guwahati, a clear signboard asks visitors not to walk on the grass with shoes. But people have been seen ignoring this rule and casually walking across the lawns. This case makes a larger point: civic sense is lacking among the people who often blame the government but don’t follow rules for themselves.
The newly created riverfront park was intended as a peaceful place of relaxation and greenery. Signboards were placed to guide the visitors and one even said, “Do not walk on the grass with shoes.” But many of them were walking directly on the grass, damaging the lawns and ignoring the instructions. From the first minute of the park's opening, it was littered with plastic bottles and food wrappers.
Civic sense is about respect for shared spaces and following rules that benefit everyone. If people ignore simple directives (like not walking on the grass), they damage public property and also lower the quality of the space for others. Parks and gardens need care and there are rules to protect them. Without public engagement, even the best urban projects cannot exist.
Citizens often complain about unsafe public spaces and blame civic authorities for neglect. But incidents like this show that misuse by the public is also a major reason why facilities deteriorate quickly. If people do not follow rules, no amount of government spending can keep parks clean and green. Civic responsibility must be combined with civic development.
The misuse of Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan is not just about one park, it is a bigger problem in Indian cities. Investments of hundreds of crores are made to beautify urban spaces, but without discipline and respect from citizens, these projects lose their value. Poor civic sense ruins the city’s image and wastes public money.
The incident at Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan in Guwahati is a reminder that civic sense is as important as government planning. Rules are in plain sight, but people choose to ignore them. Development is not only about the creation of new spaces, it’s also a matter of citizens taking responsibility to keep them safe and respect them. Without that, the most beautiful parks will soon lose their charm.
