Editor,

I wish to draw the urgent attention of the citizens and higher authorities to a critical crisis threatening IG Park, which is the lone green lung and premier recreational public space in Itanagar

The park is diligently managed by the Ita-Park Range under the Social Forestry Division, Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

However, protecting this park has become an uphill battle. While structured, state-sanctioned events are executed smoothly, a growing surge of loosely regulated private commercial events is pushing the park’s fragile ecosystem and its dedicated ground staff to their absolute limits.

Since February 2026, our management team has embarked on a rigorous mission to bring the true spirit of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to IG Park. Our primary goal is to transform the area into a strict plastic-free zone while eradicating antisocial elements, public smoking, and the consumption of alcohol or narcotics.

To preserve the tranquillity of the environment and ensure a peaceful experience for daily visitors, we have implemented several strict measures: A total ban on private birthday celebrations, family picnics, and unauthorised commercial activities, restricting outside food items and sealing illegal entry points cut into the boundaries by private individuals, deploying dedicated personnel at all three main entry gates alongside regular security patrolling.

As custodians of the park, our department is fully equipped and prepared to handle massive, high-profile state events. Whether it is Independence Day, Republic Day, Statehood Day, or high-security visits of VIPs like the president, vice president, and union ministers, our team consistently ensures flawless execution and thorough post-event cleanup.

The real crisis arises from unexpected, large-scale commercial events organised by private entities. One such example was during a private event called EV 6 (Euphony Voyage) in March. The organisers went so far as to barricade the park’s main internal road, completely restricting public movement. Shockingly, their private security team harassed our park staff, including myself as the field in-charge by restricting our regular movement during the event. The aftermath was an ecological disaster. The overwhelming volume of garbage, plastic residue, and scattered waste left behind forced our field labourers to work tirelessly for days just to restore the land and compelled us to hire JCB and truck for lifting the garbage.

With the FIFA fan park event scheduled for the night of 20 July, we sincerely hope this message reaches the organisers and history does not repeat again. We urge the organisers of this upcoming programme to cooperate with us, treat the park staff with respect, execute a comprehensive cleanup immediately afterward, and take full financial responsibility for any loss or damage to Forest Department property.

The root of this systemic issue lies in a fragmented administrative process. Permissions for massive, revenue-generating private events are granted directly by higher authorities in the state government or through the district magistrate of the Itanagar Capital Region. Unfortunately, this process completely bypasses the park’s actual custodians. No NOCs are ever sought from the Forest Department prior to booking. Security deposits and venue fees are collected exclusively by the deputy commissioner’s office, yet zero funds are allocated back to the park for cleanup or restoration. When public infrastructure is broken or landscaping is ruined, there is no formal mechanism for the DC office to request or enforce a damage assessment report from us.

While private organisers walk away with profits and external administrative offices collect the revenue, the Forest Department is left holding the bill. The heavy financial and physical burden of clearing mountains of debris and repairing ruined public property is ultimately borne out of the pockets of our already under-funded department and staff.

For IG Park to survive, we must bridge this bureaucratic gap. True celebration should never come at the cost of our environment.

Sanjeev Kiche Rai,

Site in-charge,  IG Park