New scam in the market: X users call out Bengaluru company charging Rs 1,500 for a walk in Cubbon Park

The famous park is now being discussed by many users of micro-blogging platform X, formerly Twitter, after a user who goes by the handle @AJayWhy posted a screenshot from a website of an event organised by a company based in Bengaluru.

It has a photo showing a few hands placed on a tree along with text saying, “The Healing Power of Forests”, “A Forest Bathing Experience”, “Rs 1,500.00 (Inclusive of GST)”, specifying the location as Cubbon Park. The screenshot also shows that the event is sold out.

The user shared the screenshot with a caption saying, “Babe, wake up! There’s a new scam in the market.”

Babe, wake up! There’s a new scam in the market. pic.twitter.com/UO4zrJgiUa

— jolad rotti (@AJayAWhy) April 16, 2024

The post garnered over two lakh views and triggered a discussion on what companies now charge for and what people are ready to pay for.

While one X user responded by saying, “Got to support rich people getting scammed”, another one said techies in Bengaluru are trying to buy their way into spirituality.

One user said “When your daily life does not see much beyond the walls of office and home, Cubbon Park surely feels like a forest,” and another commented, “This happening right behind the high court is icing on the cake.”

What is Forest bathing?

Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing or taking in the forest atmosphere) is an ecotherapy practice that emerged in Japan in the 80s. It is a psychological and physiological exercise that is based on the basic principle that time spent close to nature is good for human beings. It involves multiple practices ranging from a simple walk in any natural environment to meditative excursions that last many hours.

Whether or not it is okay for the Bengaluru-based company to charge a fee for this offering is still being discussed and debated. What do you think?