September 21, 2006

The City Government has started a drive to beautify Karachi by planting trees and landscaping nooks and corners of the city to give it a lush look.

After a debilitating spell of torrential rains and thunder showers received by the city of Karachi, for a change nature was not unkind only to the lesser mortals living across the bridge, the inhabitants of posh areas were sailing in the same boat as well. One had to drive on demolished roads, parks becoming overflowed with stagnant water and life in general, came to a standstill.

Despite the disfiguration of Karachi due to a plethora of roads, underpasses, freeways and bridges being built at the same time, the City Government has decided to give the city a treat –– to beautify Karachi by planting trees and landscaping nooks and corners of the city. The drive, Mission Greener Karachi (a dramatic name for a tree plantation drive) involves a group of relevant departments –– the forestry department, the horticulture and training department and the parks department –– that have joined hands to accomplish a rather uphill task of planting and maintaining shrubbery everywhere.

The inaugural event took place at the KMC old building last week, with consul generals of the US, France, Japan, Switzerland and deputy high commissioner of the United Kingdom and celebrated local personalities such as Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, Vice Chancellor University of Karachi, Saadia Rashid, President Hamdard Foundation Karachi, and Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Governor State Bank of Pakistan being invited. Also present were the local education department, teachers, journalists and a group of little girls who stood a good hour in the sun waiting for their turn to present their song.

In her short but engaging speech, the Deputy Nazim Nasreen Jalil pleaded with the audience, especially teachers and children, to plant saplings everywhere to make Karachi a greener city. The consul generals were also invited to plant trees (African Tulips) at various sites with their name plates at the venue. Besides, there was a stall of variegated plants that were to be distributed to town nazims and deputy nazims who would plant them in their own areas.

“We have planned this whole process quite meticulously,” said Misbah Jamali, district officer, horticultural and training department. “We have also printed a brochure that gives information on how to sow and maintain a plant.” It also explains ways of planting trees, how much compost it requires and what to do in case of water scarcity.

There has, however, been some grumbling over the present city government’s cutting down old trees in different areas and parks. Have costs been considered in this regard, as the drive will also involve more water when the resource is so scant for the citizens? “This Mission is not going to involve a lot of money,” said Misbah. “It is not about planting as many trees as possible in an area, the emphasis is on their maintenance.”

One hopes that the city of Karachi will benefit from the Mission and does not turn into Mission Impossible later on.

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