Most loved not only by children, Lady Hydari Park is a place for peace of mind, free from stress of a week’s long tiring job. Named after the wife of Sir Akhbari Hydari, the first Indian Governor of Assam who assumed charge on the eve of Independence, Lady Hydari Park is the most visited park in the state especially on Sundays and holidays.
Its eye-catching roses and blossoms of exquisite colours, stretches the tired mind to a feeling of immediate relief. A teacher, after his/her tired days with the children loves to spend an hour in the park with a book and relax. “The air and the serenity of the place reduce the stress I have to go through the whole week,” says B. Basaiawmoit a teacher.
While the speciality of this park is its landscaped Japanese style, the mini zoo coupled with a deer park add to the charm of the park providing a good learning ground for kids to know the animals by name and students to accumulate knowledge on the animal world.
However flaws in this ‘mini animal kingdom’ inhabited by 80 animals and birds revealed in the recent report ‘India’s Zoos: A Grim Report’ of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) dated February this year gives a clear picture of the pitiable condition of the park and its inhabitants there. PETA found during their visit that many enclosures have broken cement floors which are covered with excrement and are foul-smelling, no clean water in the enclosures. The PETA writes, “no one stops visitors from carrying openly consuming alcohol inside the zoo. Visitors can be seen pouring beer on the animals and inside their cages. The zoo is littered with beer bottles.” Animals are petrified because of harassments like banging on the walls of their enclosures the PETA said.
With 3.5 hectares of the land till 2004 Lady Hydari Park collects total revenue for over Rs. Rs.52, 61,100.00 and welcoming over 2 lakhs visitors approximately.
Speaking to The Meghalaya Guardian Range Officer D. L. Langstieh refuted reports of PETA saying “the staffs are vigilant to check people carrying alcohol inside the zoo,” adding, “there might be people who don’t carry these things openly.”
Langstieh also informed that the zoo will be shifted to Umtrew in Ri Bhoi. “This is according to the direction of the Zoo Authority.” Langstieh said.
Altogether 33 staffs are now maintaining this stress-relieving park which according to Langstieh, the supposed zoo is a rescue centre. “The animals we rescue are brought here” Langstieh said while informing that at present animals are being shifted to Nongkhyllem wildlife sanctuary.
Further, Langstieh urged Shillongites to adopt “civic sense” to promote an active and healthy quality of life by maintaining Lady Hydari Park and its green spaces. “It is high time for us to encourage visitors and foster respect and appreciation for the natural environment,” Langstieh said, adding “We need our community to encourage public participation.”
