Private sector to help uplift Lahore’s parks

LAHORE: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) is all set to launch its Adopt-a-Park initiative to utilise private sector funds and management skills to uplift Lahore’s recreational facilities.

Abdul Jabbar, the PHA’s director-general, told The Express Tribune that the project would help improve the condition of parks and tourist spots. He said that with the collaboration of the private sector, the administration of these facilities would be made more efficient.

Under the project, the PHA seeks to take the multinational companies and financing institutions on board for the beautification and efficient administration of the city’s recreational facilities.

The selected companies will bear the expenses incurred of the maintenance of the respective parks.

The PHA will allow the approved companies to advertise their products at specified points in these parks.

It also plans to set up Gupshup Pavilions –designated spots in the parks for intellectuals and journalists to interact.

Jabbar said that an amount of Rs480 million has been set aside by the Punjab government to enhance the recreational facilities in the city’s parks.

He added that under the Lahore Tree Project around 25,000 trees would be imported with private sector’s cooperation.

PHA spokesperson Javed Shaida said that the new projects including the Ravi Park; the Jallo Botanical Park; the Expo Centre at Johar Town; the Green House, the Lahore-Kasur Road and the Canal Bank Road landscaping would be part of the said project.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2010.