1. Afternoon closure of parks affecting outdoor workers in Bengaluru
2. Impact of closing Bengaluru parks in afternoons on outdoor workers.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Public parks closure in Bengaluru during afternoon hours exacerbates heat stress for outdoor workers, who rely on these spaces for rest and shade during peak heat times, according to recent reports.
Studies have shown that tree-covered outdoor areas are significantly cooler than open spaces, making them crucial for providing relief from the scorching sun. However, the closure of public parks in Bengaluru during the hottest parts of the day has left outdoor workers, many of whom are from socio-economically vulnerable backgrounds, without a place to seek refuge.
As temperatures soared to 37.6° Celsius in April, workers like Bhima, a municipal sanitation worker, have been struggling to cope with the intense heat. Bhima expressed his frustration, stating that there is no respite for workers like him to drink water, eat lunch, or even sit in the shade during their shifts.
Similarly, Susheela N., a street vendor in Banashankari, shared her challenges of vending in a partially shaded area on a busy street. She highlighted that with the closure of the park nearby in the afternoon, she has to trek back home to eat lunch and rest before returning for her evening sales, disrupting her work routine.
Bengaluru boasts 1020 developed parks covering almost four square kilometres under the jurisdiction of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s Horticulture department. While the parks are closed between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for maintenance purposes, a visit to public parks in Banashankari, Jayanagar, and Vijayanagar revealed that most parks remained shut even after the designated reopening time.
With the India Meteorological Department warning of heatwave-like conditions in Karnataka, the closure of green spaces during peak heat hours poses a significant risk to outdoor workers. Research has shown that tree canopies can reduce ambient temperatures by up to 15°C, making them essential for providing a cooler environment in urban areas.
Experts have emphasised the disproportionate impact of heat on informal workers, particularly those engaged in outdoor occupations. Arpit Shah, a professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru, highlighted that occupations requiring outdoor work, such as construction and street vending, are most affected by the lack of access to shaded areas for breaks.
Furthermore, studies have indicated that India has lost nearly 259 billion labour hours annually due to humid heat exposure, with outdoor workers from marginalized castes facing higher risks of heat-related illnesses. The closure of urban green spaces during peak heat hours further exacerbates these risks, with heat stroke posing a significant threat to workers’ health and safety.
To address these challenges, experts have called for revising park timings to ensure easy access for all residents, especially vulnerable groups. The Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan has identified blue-green spaces as nature-based solutions to enhance resilience and livability in the city, emphasizing the importance of green infrastructure in mitigating heat stress.
In conclusion, the closure of public parks in Bengaluru during peak heat hours not only impacts the well-being of outdoor workers but also highlights the need for inclusive urban planning and policy interventions to address heat-related challenges in the city..
– Closing Bengaluru parks in afternoons deprives outdoor workers refuge from heat
– Bengaluru parks closing in afternoons deprive outdoor workers refuge from heat.
