Karachi’ Parks & Horticulture Authority; A case of misused authority

Things don’t look clean and green in the Parks and Horticulture Authority of Karachi, the sole department to run and manage city’ affairs related to parks, gardens and green belts come under CDGK. The institution was constituted and converted from Parks & Garden Department, CDGK to Parks and Horticulture Authority Karachi couple of years ago and since then it is being run under the Director General Liaquat Ali Khan.

However, there is a serious question mark on the eligibility of Liaquat Ali Khan.   A three-year extension given to the retiring director-general of the city government parks and horticulture department is already under observation as it was against the spirit of the Supreme Court’s observation that the government should refrain from granting extension to retiring officials as such an act blocks the promotion of their subordinates.

However, more concerns has been observed in management and staff’ appointments in the Parks and Horticulture Authority. The three latest parks developed in Karachi under Liaquat Ali Khan are Beach Park, Bagh e Ibn e Qasim and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park cost billions of rupees. But they all three located within a diameter of 100 meter, which shows nothing but ill- planning and wastage of money on behalf of the Director General.

These parks have lost their beauty and greenery just because of mismanagement by authorities. Like the Bagh-e-Ibne Qasim’ maintenance has been outsourced to a private company through a tender amounting millions of rupees per year but it is the staffers of the government’ authority who are doing the job. Built at the cost of around Rs1 billion it was the then most expensive park of the country but within five years after its inauguration, the park shows a picture of misery and has been badly ruined by the untrained and unequipped staff of the Parks and Horticulture Authority. Even the vehicles for lifting garbage and watering the plants (which is the job of private contractor) are belonged to the Parks Department.

Interestingly Liaquat Ali Khan is surviving himself on extension as the Director General of the Authority but he has hired around 1,500 persons in the department on the ground that the department lacked staffers to look after its parks. Most of these persons are either retired staffers of former Parks Department of CDGK or the relatives of Liaquat Ali Khan.

Like Mr. Tahir Rizvi is a retired official of the defunct KMC but now working as a consultant of Parks and Horticulture Authority. Similarly the brother-in-law of DG Parks, Adnan, who was originally appointed in Grade-1 as gardener (Maali) has also been facilitated with the four-wheel vehicle (8795) to perform his official duties. Contrary to his official post, he has been given the responsibilities of an officer.

Another relative of the DG, Nasir, who is also a Grade-1 employee of the department, has been bestowed with a four-wheel vehicle. Both these relatives of the DG Parks are regular employees of the department.

Karachi Zoo & new guests.

Aquarium and reptile house in the Karachi zoological garden has been reopened last week after three years. More than 30 species of fishes are kept in the newly renovated aquarium while the revived reptile house has now over 40 kinds of snakes and python.

While Administrator KMC Muhammad Hussain Syed on his visit to Karachi Zoo has also revealed that more animals and birds would be brought within a month.

Director Zoo Bashir Saddozai said that after its renovation more than 200 rose saplings were planted in the famous Mughal Garden in Karachi Zoo and the fountains here were also made functional again.

New recreational development in the zoo is definitely a good effort, however the authorities must also now consider the various cases of negligence in animal care by the staff and take strict action, otherwise these newly-welcomed marines and reptile would suffer badly. Couple of months ago three loins were died just because of poor management of staff and authorities.

The authorities should appoint only that staffs who are properly trained, qualified and competent enough in animal caring. In the past there were some case of animals-theft therefore authorities must make sure that no further cases of stealing come around.       

For feedback;              parks.karachi@hotmail.com

Weekly Gardening Tips

Container Gardening

Home Gardening is in the instincts of every nature lover. However, in the way to fulfill this desire there is something very special and ideal that makes container gardening so great.
Flexibility;  Containers allow you to enjoy plants in areas where a traditional garden is awkward or impossible. Even with limited space in an urban apartment, you can grow fruits, vegetables, flowers and shrubs just about anywhere. Plants thrive on rooftops, decks, balconies and stairs.
Atmosphere; Container gardening also enables you to experiment with plants and to optimize or to control environmental conditions as well as home temperature .
Variety; Additionally, you can grow different types of plants in one cordoned container in order to allow plants to exist in symbiotic relationships. Plants help each other to survive. For example, oregano repels insects that bother broccoli and enhances the flavor of beans.
Mobility; Plants in containers can be moved easily. Whether it’s shifting your pots of gardenias from your front porch to your backdoor during the rainy or cold season or transporting them to a new home, your plants can go with you.
Pest Control; You can arrange containers so that plants can attract and repel insects or flies according to your needs. If pests infect your favorite plat, you can easily move and treat those containers with appropriate sprays without disturbing other plants.; Pots of blooming plants make the entrance or sparsely decorated balcony or deck feel warm and inviting.
Decoration; Pots of blooming plants make the entrance or sparsely decorated balcony or deck feel warm and inviting.

For Feedback:       parks.karachi@hotmail.com

Modern Walking Tracks

Scientifically-designed Walking Tracks in park are the need of time.

A jogging track should allow at least two people to run or walk hand in hand. The width should be minimum four feet. Different materials can be used for the ground. Gravel, murram, concrete slabs, flagstones, bricks and rubber are some of the materials that are used. It is important to note the cost of the materials, since some are expensive to use. Before commence of work, the ground is thoroughly prepared. The drainage should also be checked.

Parks & Gardening in Karachi

Parks and Gardening aims at beutification and ecological development of Karachi city, involving community participation as well as emphasizing green lifestyle among the participants.

The more number of gardens and stadiums you have the less number of hospitals you need.

Karachi, though, doesn’t have the required number of gardens, playing fields  and fun places that could fulfill the recreational requirements of mega city but things can be improved and changed around by giving awareness to the inhabitants and bringing it in notice of the govt. authorities.