PHA moves towards grass autarky to cut purchase expenses

Korean variety sown in park being developed near Shahdara

LAHORE:

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has launched an in-house cultivation project for dark green sustainable Korean grass as part of its cost-cutting strategy to reduce dependency on government funds.

Director General Muhammad Tahir Wattoo said that, as an experiment, the PHA has planted grass seeds on a one-acre plot near Shahdara, where the department is developing a new family park.

Korean grass is ideally suited for locations with partial shade from trees or nearby buildings. Wattoo said it needs less looking after and does not need as much water or mowing as other kinds of grass.

He observed that the small grass blades with their shallow roots serve as absorbers of carbon dioxide, dust and dirt, thereby enhancing air quality.

Previously, the PHA, responsible for maintaining Lahore's green cover, had to procure grass from the market, incurring substantial expenses. However, the DG ordered not only the cultivation of grass but also production of pots and other horticultural material.

According to Wattoo, the PHA plans to expand the plantation area to three to five acres, depending on the results.

He also highlighted the calming effect of green grass, emphasising that walking barefoot on grass boosts the production of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good hormones.

"Neglecting grass maintenance can detract from the beauty of vibrant flower beds and blooming plants," he cautioned.

Separately, the PHA has raised the plantation target from one million in 2023 to 25 million trees in 2024, according to Wattoo. The initiatives include growing urban forests, creating green spaces within the urban landscape and focusing on downtrodden areas to ensure equitable distribution of green cover benefits.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2024.