KARACHI has a population of 14.9 million as per 2016 census. The biggest park in Karachi is Bagh Ibn-i-Qasim having an area of 0.54 square kilometers.

City Nazim Naimatullah Khan wanted to convert the 36km dry Malir river bed into a park. The width of Malir river is around one kilometre so the park in it can potentially be 36 square kilometres about 10 times to that of New York Central Park.

For meeting water needs of the park we can convert the open sewerage stream running through the river bed into ‘grey’ water. By doing so, we will be helping the government in achieving its target of planting billion trees.

This park will not only offer respite to the 14.9 million souls living in the concrete jungle but would also provide an alternative to Clifton beach.

Iqbal Raza
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2019