Eid outdoors: Sightseeing Lahore, Butterfly House two new attractions
Lahore Zoo expecting around 200,000 visitors during Eid holidays
LAHORE:
Sightseeing Lahore’s double-decker bus service and the Butterfly House at Jallo Botanical Garden are two new attractions in the city for those interested in spending time outdoors during the Eid holidays.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) Managing Director Ahmar Malik said special arrangements had been made in view of the high demand for Sightseeing Lahore’s guided tours of the Walled City. He said bus terminals in Gaddafi Stadium and on Fort Road had been decorated with beautiful lighting. Dhol and music performances had also been arranged at the terminals, he added.
Malik said the bus service would remain operational from 7am to 11:30pm every day during the Eid holidays.
Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Shakeel Ahmad said all arrangements had been completed to cater to the high volume of visitors at public parks. He said the authority was expecting a large number of visitors at its recently inaugurated Jallo Botanical Gardens. He said that besides a shrubs garden, a zen garden, treetop walkways and a butterfly house, the facility also featured the country’s first ever bonsai garden. Other attractions at the Jallo Botanical Gardens were a food court, wooden gazebos, play areas and an information centre, he added.
Protecting wildlife: All steps to eliminate illegal hunting, says DG
About the butterfly house, Malik said it was the first of its kind in Asia, featuring several butterfly species. He said the facility would help visitors better understand butterflies’ lifecycle. It would also facilitate research on butterflies.
Regarding security measures, the PHA DG said closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, razor wires and walkthrough gates had been installed at all major recreational places in the city. He said the authority was working in close coordination with the city police.
He said a meeting had been held with the Operations DIG where it was decided that SHOs concerned would visit all parks in their areas to review security arrangements.
Lahore Zoo, Race Course Park, Lawrence Gardens, Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park and Minar-i-Pakistan would be some other popular recreational spots in the city during Eid holidays.
Lahore Zoo Director Shafqat Ali told The Express Tribune that the administration was expecting around 200,000 visitors during the Eid holidays. He said walkthrough gates had been installed at both entrances of the facility. He said six walkthrough gates had been installed at the entrance on The Mall and two at entrance on Lawrence Road. All visitors would be frisked with metal detectors at the entrances. Ali said additional ticket booths had been set up at the entrances to avoid long queues for tickets.
“There is no need to be concerned about security arrangements. We have completed a security audit,” he said. He added that to ensure foolproof security officials from the city police would be deployed at the premises in addition to Zoo’s security staff.
However, he said the visitors should remain vigilant and immediately report anything suspect to the administration.
Ali said the administration had also finalised its preparations to deal with possible rains, including inspection of water pumps.
He said arrangement had also been put in place to facilitate senior citizens and people with disabilities. He said four wheel-chairs had been provided to the staff at the entrance in this regard.
“We have displayed all important telephone numbers at prominent places in the zoo,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2016.
Sightseeing Lahore’s double-decker bus service and the Butterfly House at Jallo Botanical Garden are two new attractions in the city for those interested in spending time outdoors during the Eid holidays.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) Managing Director Ahmar Malik said special arrangements had been made in view of the high demand for Sightseeing Lahore’s guided tours of the Walled City. He said bus terminals in Gaddafi Stadium and on Fort Road had been decorated with beautiful lighting. Dhol and music performances had also been arranged at the terminals, he added.
Malik said the bus service would remain operational from 7am to 11:30pm every day during the Eid holidays.
Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Shakeel Ahmad said all arrangements had been completed to cater to the high volume of visitors at public parks. He said the authority was expecting a large number of visitors at its recently inaugurated Jallo Botanical Gardens. He said that besides a shrubs garden, a zen garden, treetop walkways and a butterfly house, the facility also featured the country’s first ever bonsai garden. Other attractions at the Jallo Botanical Gardens were a food court, wooden gazebos, play areas and an information centre, he added.
Protecting wildlife: All steps to eliminate illegal hunting, says DG
About the butterfly house, Malik said it was the first of its kind in Asia, featuring several butterfly species. He said the facility would help visitors better understand butterflies’ lifecycle. It would also facilitate research on butterflies.
Regarding security measures, the PHA DG said closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, razor wires and walkthrough gates had been installed at all major recreational places in the city. He said the authority was working in close coordination with the city police.
He said a meeting had been held with the Operations DIG where it was decided that SHOs concerned would visit all parks in their areas to review security arrangements.
Lahore Zoo, Race Course Park, Lawrence Gardens, Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park and Minar-i-Pakistan would be some other popular recreational spots in the city during Eid holidays.
Lahore Zoo Director Shafqat Ali told The Express Tribune that the administration was expecting around 200,000 visitors during the Eid holidays. He said walkthrough gates had been installed at both entrances of the facility. He said six walkthrough gates had been installed at the entrance on The Mall and two at entrance on Lawrence Road. All visitors would be frisked with metal detectors at the entrances. Ali said additional ticket booths had been set up at the entrances to avoid long queues for tickets.
“There is no need to be concerned about security arrangements. We have completed a security audit,” he said. He added that to ensure foolproof security officials from the city police would be deployed at the premises in addition to Zoo’s security staff.
However, he said the visitors should remain vigilant and immediately report anything suspect to the administration.
Ali said the administration had also finalised its preparations to deal with possible rains, including inspection of water pumps.
He said arrangement had also been put in place to facilitate senior citizens and people with disabilities. He said four wheel-chairs had been provided to the staff at the entrance in this regard.
“We have displayed all important telephone numbers at prominent places in the zoo,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2016.