HAUS KHAS DEER PARK

Every city has lungs. Large open green spaces that belong to the people and Delhi is no different. Not many stops on the Metro from the centre of New Delhi is Haus Khas Deer Park. Whilst it only muffles the honking horns of the busyness around it, the space opens and is relaxing.

Within the park are large enclosed pens filled with herds of spotted deer. Healthy specimens, wandering in search of edibles, they spectate in wait, as much as are observed. There are groups sitting on the bare ground soaking the sun which has managed to penetrate the upper layers this afternoon. Shallow is the heat but if located in one space, absorption occurs. Bucks are annoying toppled trees scraping the winter fuzz off their horns. They are aggressive in this pursuit, almost side by side, winning against their inanimate foe.

There are trees a plenty, of various kinds, all manicured to the same height within the enclosure. It looks as if well tendered by passionate horticulturists though the sheers are grinding teeth and the height set by the tallest deer. Peacock, resplendent with rich colour, and hens roam around finding treasure as they do. The light hits and vibrancy shines briefly until movement takes them from the source.

The ground is sandy and barren, obviously torn with hooves as they pace around the pens. Adjoining enclosures are opened allowing movement from one to the other. The ground within the park is hardened, though there are runs of green grass still evident away from the tree trunk. These are teased by the long stick brooms of the sweepers worrying away daily debris and any humus that might reach the ground. Small piles are created to later be set alight adding to the translucent light that shrouds Delhi.

Lovers, seated on cold steel benches, enact their ritual of closeness, obscured by their openness, occupy every available seat. Those beyond lovesickness are shrouded with shawls spread on the ground, and over them, either chatting or catching forty. All reside within a window of light. Along the pathway mothers with children gawk at the deer, mothers trying desperately to keep them distracted a little longer move to where a deer has wandered close to the fencing. In tow, respectfully withdrawn, the laden silent servant awaits the next decision, likely to produce a smorgasbord of snacks and drink on demand.

Among the trees there is a flurry of activity as squirrels jostle for food, investigating, unafraid of the presence of people. The crow's caw bellows to others around the park as if a conversation is occurring and the Indian minors peck around the grass. Willy wagtails are busy in and out of the lantana cover and a family of angry looking apostle birds hunt together. A puppy is worrying all and a crow makes a swoop which does not deter. Dogs a plenty are sunning selves laid prone rather than curled. A pink ringed neck lime green parrot is not camouflaged in the lantana as it seeks seed. A shrill cry and a dash of green, gone.

A park patron, draped in a deep pink and green flowered sari, wrapped in a dark green woollen shawl, performs her daily temple kindness. She carries a plastic bag filled with soft greens and stops to feed the deer who throng for a share. The plastic bag is reduced to a ball and hidden somewhere beneath the colour for tomorrow's visit. Her temple obeisance complete for the day, her walk continues.

A rustle in the hillock of lantana, different from the rest, reveals an urchin collecting twigs and small branches. She has a small bundle atop her head somehow managing not to disentangle and collapse into separateness. Another figure and a further follow with larger burdens. These urban tribals are collecting firewood for their daily needs, a chore which might take the better part of daylight hours, and this is happening within sanctuary. Another layer of pruning. The trees have not been decimated as they could. Somewhere a silent permission has been granted and some recompense paid. Collection over. In all five emerge, heads held high, balancing their heavy loads, in procession down the path and through the gates, out into the street.