ISLAMABAD (March 07 2009): President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday gave green signal to the Green Karachi Project that aims at turning hundreds of acres of wasteland in the city into lush green parks, besides massive tree plantation along 24 major roads traversing through the city and advised the government that this project be undertaken on public private partnership basis. He was chairing a presentation meeting here in Presidency Friday.
The presentation was attended among others by Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh, Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Kamal Majidullah SAPM on Water Resources, Fazal-ur-Rehman, Chief Secretary Environment, Farhatullah Babar, Spokesperson, Inayat Ellahi, Acting Secretary Environment and Tariq Mehmood Khan, Chairman CDA besides other officials of Ministry of Environment.
The President also advised that a study be carried out on the public health impact of the trees to be planted in the Green Project to avoid repetition of the plantation of paper mulberry in Islamabad, which have turned out to be detrimental to public health by causing widespread pollen allergy. He said that provision should also be made for graveyards in the Green Project as land for graveyards was shrinking in Karachi and throughout the country.
Under around Rs 22 billion project in Karachi alone around 20 million saplings would be planted to meet the international criterion of having one tree for each person for a healthy environment. Currently the city has only around 3 million trees that are too few for any impact. President Zardari has always supported such projects and launched several projects during his tenure as Minister for Environment in 90s.
Liaqat Ali Khan, Executive Director Parks and Horticulture of City Distict Government Karachi said that nine projects have been planned under President Asif Ali Zardaris green vision for the city.
He said with large scale tree plantation the people of city will witness a massive change in citys environment that was facing extreme pollution due to heavy industrialisation, increase in traffic, cutting down of trees in the past and large scale construction.
Javed Hanif, DCO Karachi said complete feasibility and other detailed drawings of the projects were complete and with the go-ahead, work could begin at a fast pace. He recalled that with round the clock work the Bagh-e-ibn-e-Qasim was constructed within a short period of few months.
He said strict measures have been taken for protection of trees already planted and anyone responsible for damaging any tree can face criminal charges. However he pointed that due to public awareness the masses themselves protected and maintained the trees, which was a very healthy sign.
The 152-acre Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park at boat basin Clifton will be the first project to complete in six months time at a cost of Rs 877 million. The park will have jogging tracks, lawns, plantation, stone benches, food courts, fountains and lighting arrangements.
Malir River Park covering an area of 5000 acres will be constructed in the middle of the city crossing nine towns. To be designed as the worlds largest park, the area will also cater to the sports demands through 12 athlete grounds, 15 cricket grounds and 24 service areas. A Mono Rail will be run in the park for taking tour through the 20-km long and 2.5 km area.
The Rs 3289 million Central Park will be constructed around important institutions including Sindh assembly and High Court on area of 151 acres. The government offices, presently in barracks will be shifted to two towers, federal and provincial, to be constructed in the same area. Treated sewage water will be used for irrigation.
The Karachi Night Safari to be constructed at 2000 acres, near Thadda Dam will offer the visitors a unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. People will be able to view nocturnal animals in open in their natural habitats during an hour-long drive. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 3998 million.
To provide recreational facilities to the population in under-developed area, the Karachi National Park will be constructed in Trans Lyari Area between Sindh Industrial Trading Estate and the right bank of Lyari River on an area of 187 acres. Karachi Animal Park will be constructed at the Karachi Zoological Garden on an area of 41 acres, with amount of Rs 934 million.
The Manghopir Resort will be developed at Hub Reservoir on Manghopir hills on an area of 1800 acres with an estimated amount of Rs 1,500 million. The park will have fish hunting lake, resting cottages, water amusement parks, golf course, dew jet poles for decreasing temperatures and plantation with drip water system. The Hill Park Karachi to be built between Shara-e-Faisal and Shaheed-e-Millat road will cover an area of 62 acres with an amount of Rs 200 million.
The Beautification of Lyari River project includes construction of water channel and tree plantation in Lyari riverbed from Sohrab Goth to Mauripur road between Lyari Expressway. The 18.5 km long and 200-250 km wide area will be completed in two years with an amount of Rs 988 million. Massive tree plantation will also be done on 272 km of 24 major roads in the city at the cost of Rs 980 million in two years.-PR
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