THE Sindh government published a large-sized advertisement (Jan 17) highlighting the steps taken by it to promote and achieve environmental improvement by developing urban forests over 500 acres in major cities in the province under its urban forestry initiative.

The advertisement stated that 500 avenue kilometres of roadside plantation had been established on various roads during the last year. Confirmation of the accuracy and efficiency of the stated steps is hardly possible and the factual position is diametrically opposite at least in Karachi.

A visit to major thoroughfares in the megapolis reveals that not only the footpaths, but also the wide medians and road islands, have been given the concrete treatment across the city during the last three years.

Sharea Faisal, University Road, Sindh High Court and Fawara Chowk roundabouts, and two newly-built major roads connecting Malir cantonment with University Road are but a few examples.

This has deprived the already parched city from substantial green cover. However, this action is also benefiting certain people and groups. Whenever any repair work of any utility service is undertaken on/along the roads, the concrete blocks are removed and the place requires refurbishment with new blocks — if luckily any such refurbishment ever happens. This means business.

Moreover, the concreted medians on all roads in Scheme 33 and Gulistan-i-Jauhar areas are being encroached upon in the form of makeshift, but long-term, restaurants, mechanical workshops, barbershops, and even for tying up animals, like donkeys, cattle, etc.

This has destroyed roadside greenery and increased traffic accidents. This erstwhile rather forested area in city’s northeast has been developed haphazardly and today looks like a concrete jungle without any greenery left on or along the roads. The encroachers, mostly newly-settled in the city, are interested only in generating income, and this is surely happening in connivance with the relevant authorities in complete disregard of civic sense and taxpayer residents.

While the world is upgrading its rural areas on urban patterns, we are making our largest city look like a rural area with the presence of cattle and domesticated animals on its roads.

The government’s advertisements are projecting its environment-friendly approach, but its actions are snatching from Karachi its remaining greenery and even the spaces meant for greenery.

The factual situation is a testimony to the level of attention given by the government to roads, people and environment of Karachi, which, luckily or unluckily, happens to be the only urban centre in the province and largest city of the country in terms of population and tax revenue generation.

Raihan A.K. Lodhi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2021