Parkgoers stepping out, but cautiously

In the otherwise concrete jungle of Dhaka city, the greenery of its parks stand out, both in terms of scenery and the functions they serve. They are places where citizens can jog or take a stroll, or take a break from the hectic city life.

The parks of Dhaka become especially popular during winter. As the temperature is suitable for strolls, people throng parks in their neighbourhood, and even ones that may be further than a walking distance.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the same can be said about this winter, albeit with a bit of adjustment for context. Even though Dhaka's parks aren't attracting as many people as they did pre-pandemic, attendance figures are still up compared to the early days of Covid's onslaught.

For example, the parks around Dhanmondi Lake remain buzzing, especially during evenings, albeit at a lesser scale compared to regular times.

"I have diabetes. Taking light strolls is the most convenient and enjoyable exercise for me," Naim Bin Zahur, a Dhanmondi resident said. "It [Dhanmondi Lake] is actually much less crowded compared to pre-pandemic days though," he added.

Rafiqul Islam Babla, Councillor of Ward-15 (DSCC) and General Secretary of Dhanmondi Thana Awami League, pointed out that people have become weary of being stuck at home, which contributes to the steady inflow of people at the lake.

"The most we can do is try to ensure that health guidelines are maintained. I, along with park staffers and volunteers, have distributed masks, raised awareness around the area, and instructed restaurants in the area to take a strict stance on health guidelines," said Babla, whose office is adjacent to the lake.

In the meantime, Ramna Park has taken some drastic measures, including limiting visiting hours and taking up a no-mask-no-entry protocol.

"Many people still come to Ramna Park, but the liveliness of the place is not the same as before," Sadia, a regular at the park, told this correspondent.

But the same cannot be said of everyone. Even though walking, strolling, or jogging at the parks are their favourite pastime -- or calls of necessity -- some would rather just stay home this winter.

Sadequr Rahman, who frequently visited Ramna Park before the pandemic, said, "How can I jog with a mask on? It is very uncomfortable. But I understand the necessity and have chosen not to go there at all."

"I don't want to risk it," said Nafis Hossain, a 43-year-old resident of Wari. "I used to go the Baldha Garden for morning walks every day. I feel like its different from all the other parks. It's smaller, simpler and more picturesque. I love it from my heart. But during the pandemic, I'd rather just go to the rooftop and get some freehand exercise."