For Iqbal Park, Rs10m worth of trees

PHA to import various species, including palms, Amaltas, kachnar

LAHORE: As part of the renovation and beautification of the under-construction Iqbal Park, the city administration will import various plants and trees at an estimated cost of Rs10 million.

The Greater Iqbal Park Project includes restoration and preservation of Minar-e-Pakistan and expansion of Iqbal Park, formerly Minto Park, by incorporating land from Circular Gardens and the carriageway between Minar-e-Pakistan and Lahore Fort.



The garden incorporates motifs inspired by Mughal architecture, such as fountains, pavements, a baradari and geometric patterns. Work on the project was originally slated to commence in 2013-14 but has been postponed due to scarcity of funds. The June 30, 2016 deadline for the project’s completion has been already missed.

But Lahore’s Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has decided to plant various species with an estimated budget of Rs10 million, The Express Tribune has learnt.

PHA Director-General Shakeel Ahmad said the authority was importing exotic plant species apart from the usual palm trees, Kachnar (phanera variegate), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Tabebuia (Tabebuia rosea) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) through its contractors.

“Some shipments have already arrived and the PHA has initiated plantation in some areas of the Greater Iqbal Park,” he added.

He disclosed that walkways of the Greater Iqbal Park had been divided into 24 sections and the authority would plant different species according to the approved theme.

The government has set November 9, which is also Iqbal Day, for a partial inauguration of the park, while the history museum and a heroes’ gallery would be inaugurated on December 25, the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam. The authority has also installed dancing water fountains in the park worth Rs200 million.



Greater Iqbal Park Project-Director Chaudhry Tahir Sultan said a buggy track and water supply and drainage system had been completed. Construction of parking area, lakes, fountains, security system, food courts and decorative gates are in their final phases. A soft-wheel train has also been delivered for the park. The park would also have an amphitheatre, which would serve as a venue for a variety of cultural events like theatrical performances, storytelling sessions, plays, concerts, lectures, talks, book talks and recitals.

Under a partnership agreement, the Citizens Archive of Pakistan has been given the responsibility to curate the National History Museum.

The museum will showcase numerous stories of Pakistan through photographs, newspaper articles, personal letters and first-hand accounts, using state-of-the-art technology such as touch screens and interactive games to enhance visitor’s experience.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2016.