Sindh govt plans to revamp Kidney Hill Park

The park will now feature an urban forest and is expected to be open to public soon

KARACHI: For many of us, the mere mention of the word park evokes a clean, green, breezy and spacious place with several children playing games and swinging to and fro. Unfortunately, this is not the visual that greets visitors at several neglected parks of Karachi. Once touted as one of the go-to parks of the city, the Kidney Hill Park's popularity has dwindled immensely due to massive encroachments, poor maintenance and unchecked garbage accumulation.

The unprecedented deterioration of the park and its surroundings has sparked government interest in rehabilitating the park to bring it back to its original state, which remains a nostalgic memory for several natives of Karachi.

KMC, Sindh govt join hands

In a bid to combat environmental pollution, the Sindh government has decided to modernise Kidney Hill Park, which is located in the heart of the city. The adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Environment, Law and Coastal Development, Barrister Murtaza Wahab visited the park along with SEPA secretary Khan Muhammad Mehar, the KMC municipal commissioner, district East DC and other officials on Tuesday to inspect the rehabilitation efforts.

Wahab said that the government of Sindh and KMC will jointly implement steps for the park's restoration and rehabilitation.

Revival in stages

The park is spread over 82 acres which is replete with natural hills and old trees. As part of the initial stage of restoration, encroachments in and around the park have been cleared. Few planned developments include growing an urban forest in one part, whereas in other parts of the park, trees like Neem, palm and dates will also be cultivated.

Initially, 10,000 trees will be planted during the first two months while 100,000 trees have to be planted in total.

According to Wahab, the urban forest will also be home to fruit trees such as papaya, guava, mango, and coconut. The park will not only provide recreation but will also help decrease environmental pollution, the adviser added.

He said that the remodelling will include a designated play area for children, swings, benches and walking tracks. Besides, proper lighting will be made available for visitors. There will be four entrances to the park and its inauguration is expected to take place soon.

Recreation with responsibility

The rehabilitation effort is aimed at providing denizens of Karachi with clean and green park space.

Wahab urged citizens to be responsible and help the government in reducing environmental degradation. The goal is to encourage a habitual process to keep parks, streets, markets, neighbourhoods and all public spaces clean and garbage-free.

The park is likely to be opened to the public in next two to three months.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2019.