Park turns into garbage dump

Residents claim waste from neighbouring areas being dumped in recreational site.

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ISLAMABAD:

Residents of Shahpur Phulgran in Bhara Kahu, a suburban area of the federal capital, are enduring deplorable living conditions after a once-thriving park maintained by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was transformed into a dumping ground.

Previously a vibrant recreational hub, the park has lost its charm and biodiversity due to the alleged disposal of solid waste by the civic agency.

The park, which once boasted colourful flowers and indigenous plants, now presents a grim sight, with its ecological balance severely disrupted.

Situated at the intersection of the newly constructed Bhara Kahu Expressway Shahpur Phulgran link road via Murree Road, the park is now overshadowed by heaps of garbage. Flanked by the elevated expressway on one side and adjoining routes on the other, the site stands as a stark reminder of urban neglect.

Residents have expressed their frustration, lamenting the loss of a much-needed green space and calling on authorities to address the situation immediately. The park, which used to host sports galas, school events, and community activities, is now unrecognisable.

"This park was once a landmark of our area. Now it's a nightmare," said Sultan Sher Raja, a retired public servant and a resident. He alleged that the CDA outsourced waste collection to a third party, and the contractor chose the park as a convenient dumping ground.

Raja claimed that waste from neighbouring areas, including Murree city, is being dumped here, with traces of infectious waste posing serious health risks. "The negligence is jeopardising the local ecology, including birds and other animals," he said. He urged officials concerned to take immediate action against this environmental and public health crisis. The situation has become unbearable for residents.

"The stench is awful, and the sight is even worse. Scavengers, rodents, and stray dogs now dominate the area," said Humera Ashfaq, a local schoolteacher. She lamented that the once-thriving green space now offers a painful view of neglect, with no trace of its former identity as a botanical park.

Ashfaq warned that unchecked dumping, coupled with the rise of plastic pollution and infectious waste, could have long-term consequences. "Without parks and green spaces, there is no hope for a clean, green environment or healthy air quality," she added.

A study by the Institute of Urbanism highlights the issue, revealing that the CDA can only manage to collect and dispose of 60-70% of the federal capital's waste. The remainder is left to rot in open spaces, exacerbating environmental degradation.

Despite multiple attempts to obtain a response, the CDA Sanitation Directorate remained unavailable for comment.