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KARACHI, June 8: The city nazim, Niamatullah Khan, has said the city government is mulling over to grow forests in Malir and other areas, adding that a comprehensive forestation plan for the city would be finalized this week. Addressing a gathering of school children on ‘Green learn and fun’ to commemorate the ‘World Ocean Day’ on Wednesday, he said more forests for the city were a must to stabilize its climate.
He said efforts to plant trees and saplings, and setting up new parks in the city was a continuation of the city government’s efforts to improve the city’s environment.
The nazim lauded the services of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for the betterment of environment.
He also emphasized raising awareness about the climate and environment among students.
Mr Niamat termed old buses and minibuses as the main cause of the worsening pollution in the city, adding that the city government was making efforts to phase out these old vehicles.
In this regard, he said that incentives were being offered to the private sector to introduce CNG buses in the city.
The introduction of the Urban Transport Scheme (UTS) was related to improving the city’s environment, he said, adding that some 250 UTS buses were on the roads, while 500 more were expected soon.
He hoped that China and other countries would take initiatives in this regard.
Earlier, Senior General Manager, SSGC said that it was a pressing need that energy sources be further increased.
He said his company was giving much importance to increasing the number of trees. In this regard some 0.1 million saplings were being planted in the city.
PARKS OPENED: Niamatullah Khan on Wednesday inaugurated two more parks in Liaquatabad — Noorani Park in Liaquatabad No 5, and Muhammadi Park and floodlight playground in Sindhi Hotel area.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the parks, the nazim said the city government had succeeded in turning the city lush green and beautiful through these parks.
He described the newly constructed parks as memorable gifts of the city govt to the people of Karachi.
He said parks played a vital role in making the environment pleasant, colourful and peaceful.
“Playgrounds are needed the most in the city and the city government had made various playgrounds for providing healthy sports facilities in various towns,” he added.
Floodlights were also fixed in the Muhammadi Park so that youths could play games in the night as well.
COMPLAINT CENTRES: Following the city nazim’s directives, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board has established complaint centres in all 18 towns to address public grievances regarding water supply.
The city nazim, who is also chairman of the KWSB, had directed the board to set up the complaint centres.
Following are the telephone numbers of the centres: Central Complaint Centre - 9231221, 9243856 and 9243041; Keamari – 2352712; Jamshed Town – 9231884; Saddar - 2444598 and 2421985; Lyari – 9215776; Site – 2568705; Baldia – 2585741; Orangi – 2568706; Gadap - 9243066 and 6910023; North Nazimabad – 6625519; New Karachi – 6972886; Gulberg - 6312719 and 6327618-ext-204; Liaquatabad - 9246275; Gulshan-i-Iqbal – 9230717; Shah Faisal Town – 9248295; Landhi – 5022839; Korangi – 5066468; Malir – 4515801; Bin Qasim Town - 41004761-3.
In addition to that, people can also contact the superintendent engineer North on phone No 2568705, superintendent engineer South on 9204346, superintendent engineer Central on 6982292 and superintendent engineer East on 9230717.—PPI
