Hike in entry fee forces kids to shun forest department’s park

Chittoor: To create entertainment and amusement for the kids, the Forest department established a children’s park three decades ago in the limits of reserve forest. It is the only park in Chittoor city meant for children.

The entry fee of Rs 5 is being collected from each kid for the maintenance of park. Recently, the park entry fee was hiked from Rs 5 to 10. As a result, the number of children visiting the park has dropped considerably with the hike in entry fee. Meanwhile, civic body has developed a children’s park with boating facility and other attractions near Gangineni Tank.

The entry into the new park is free and to attract children, the park organisers are exhibiting kids films on a big screen at free of cost. Now, the parents are encouraging their children to visit the new park.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Friday, K Rani, supervisor of children’s park run by Forest department, said the parents are not showing interest to send their wards after the hike of entry fee. “I apprised higher-ups about poor turn out of children to the park after civic body allowing into their park free of cost,” she stated. 

By C Prabhakara Rao