IN the 1980s, the Aunty Park in Clifton Block 5 started attracting people for morning and evening walks and exercises. The visitors included both men and women of all ages and from all walks of life. The park became a favourite spot for them due to its beautiful surroundings and shady trees. While walking in groups, people would develop friendships which they still recall as pleasant memories.

Around 15 years ago, some senior citizens formed a yoga group and have been regularly holding daily sessions without a break. Carrying out yoga for about an hour every day under the shade of thick trees became an interesting and rewarding experience for them.

However, the park management had a shocking surprise in store for the walkers and yoga enthusiasts recently when it removed more than 95 per cent of the tall and thick conocarpus trees without advance replacement plantation. The trees have been cut above the ground level, leaving stumps, pads and underground roots around.

The reason cited by the management is that the trees consumed a lot of under-ground water and were not as healthy as other species. Whatever the cause, the management should have safeguarded the interests of senior citizens and committed walkers who have been caught completely off-guard and left to suffer the emotional anguish.

Now, people do not come to the park for morning walks due to the scorching heat generated by direct sunrays. A small portion of the remaining trees should be retained to enable yoga enthusiasts to continue their healthy activity under their shade until new plantation matures.

Parvez Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026