I am about to leave for office. I hear the mobile phone ring and hesitantly take it. The person on the other side wouldn't call without a reason, I am aware. But the conversation might go on for a longer while. Finally I settle down and start the conversation...
The voice over phone started telling me, "The document that you gave me the other day..." (I am wondering in my mind which document I have ever given to her?) "It had a list of all gardens in Pune along with their addresses. My husband and I have started visiting the parks one by one recently." "This had been one of my small dreams but I have never prioritized it till now," I was vividly happy for somebody was actually doing what I have been wanting to do.
She had attended the 'Environmental Status Report (ESR) Workshop' that we had conducted for citizens on 9th June 2014 as part of the activities under 'Participatory Urban Governance' (PUG). It was at IndradhanushyaEnvironment and Citizenship Centre near Mhatre Bridge in Pune. We couldn't really publicize the workshop too well in time and had 15 participants attending it from our email networks. The 'Environmental Officer' in charge of this yearly activity briefed about the current format, the process of making it and the strengths and limitations. Some experts had been contacted beforehand and were asked to comment on the present format of the report and its expected format, outcome etc. The participants also went through the report and had a lively, balanced conversation with the official. It was heartening to see a dialogue between the citizens and the city administration. It was this ESR document she was referring to of which a complementary copy was given to all the participants. The important thing was, she made use of it!!
She is a senior citizen and has worked as a strict, disciplined and the same time very passionate, committed teacher all her life. She is a nature - lover and an active bird watcher even now. Her elaborate descriptions on their park visits, the administrative/ management issues, the bird sightings, the interest generated among the morning visitors of the parks made me exited about the conversation. I could extrapolate the picture and in my mind 'cut to 2 years later' was taking shape.
She positively responded to the idea of formal documentation of all the parks which can become a great ground truthing exercise for Pune's biodiversity. Of course, the biodiversity is not limited to the parks but they surely harbor it and if they don't, they are supposed to.
It can go as status updates to the respective gardens immediately with a copy to garden department and a consolidated report of all 'Parks of Pune' to the Garden department with recommendation for future management. A book with pictures, experiences, some basic information about the gardens and how to reach would make it a public hit for citizens of Pune as well as their guests and visitors.
We are looking for an intern who could help her consolidate, write the information. In spite of being an expert in documentation, her age doesn't allow her to do it.
Looking forward to the day of inaugurating the book 'Parks of Pune' as well as the report.
The voice over phone started telling me, "The document that you gave me the other day..." (I am wondering in my mind which document I have ever given to her?) "It had a list of all gardens in Pune along with their addresses. My husband and I have started visiting the parks one by one recently." "This had been one of my small dreams but I have never prioritized it till now," I was vividly happy for somebody was actually doing what I have been wanting to do.
She had attended the 'Environmental Status Report (ESR) Workshop' that we had conducted for citizens on 9th June 2014 as part of the activities under 'Participatory Urban Governance' (PUG). It was at IndradhanushyaEnvironment and Citizenship Centre near Mhatre Bridge in Pune. We couldn't really publicize the workshop too well in time and had 15 participants attending it from our email networks. The 'Environmental Officer' in charge of this yearly activity briefed about the current format, the process of making it and the strengths and limitations. Some experts had been contacted beforehand and were asked to comment on the present format of the report and its expected format, outcome etc. The participants also went through the report and had a lively, balanced conversation with the official. It was heartening to see a dialogue between the citizens and the city administration. It was this ESR document she was referring to of which a complementary copy was given to all the participants. The important thing was, she made use of it!!
She is a senior citizen and has worked as a strict, disciplined and the same time very passionate, committed teacher all her life. She is a nature - lover and an active bird watcher even now. Her elaborate descriptions on their park visits, the administrative/ management issues, the bird sightings, the interest generated among the morning visitors of the parks made me exited about the conversation. I could extrapolate the picture and in my mind 'cut to 2 years later' was taking shape.
She positively responded to the idea of formal documentation of all the parks which can become a great ground truthing exercise for Pune's biodiversity. Of course, the biodiversity is not limited to the parks but they surely harbor it and if they don't, they are supposed to.
It can go as status updates to the respective gardens immediately with a copy to garden department and a consolidated report of all 'Parks of Pune' to the Garden department with recommendation for future management. A book with pictures, experiences, some basic information about the gardens and how to reach would make it a public hit for citizens of Pune as well as their guests and visitors.
We are looking for an intern who could help her consolidate, write the information. In spite of being an expert in documentation, her age doesn't allow her to do it.
Looking forward to the day of inaugurating the book 'Parks of Pune' as well as the report.
No comments:
Post a Comment