MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 28: A recreation park built on rubble of the 2005 earthquake was inaugurated here on Wednesday. US Agency for International Development Mission Director for Pakistan Ms Anne Aarnes and ERRA deputy chief Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed performed the inauguration of Makri Park, named after the area in which it is located.

Around 40,000 square feet of land was created for the park after debris removed from different parts of the AJK capital was deposited in a landfill along a ravine culminating in the nearby Neelum River. A culvert was also built to route the flow of rainwater into Neelum River.

Consistent with an environmental plan, the park offers a playground for children and scenic views, overlooking Muzaffarabad Fort and Chehla Bandi locality on either sides of Neelum River, winding through the beautiful landscape.

Addressing at the ceremony, Ms Aarnes paid rich tributes to the local community for demonstrating seemingly endless courage and munificence in the face of a huge disaster.

“USAID and its partners worked to design and implement an exciting vision to convert this landfill into an environment-friendly park that beautifies the area,” she said. “What you see today is the result of a year’s efforts to realise that vision.”

—Staff Correspondent