Mayor, UN team discuss environmental uplift measures

KARACHI: Efforts for environmental uplift of the city were discussed as a delegation led by United Nations Environment Programme Director Mahenau Agha called on Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Tuesday.

Landscape architect Komal Perwez, Bushra Nadeem, the mayor’s adviser Farhat Khan and chairman of the parks committee, Khurram Farhan, were among the officials present for the discussion.

As per officials, the meeting participants decided that Safari Park would be the starting point for efforts for environmental improvement in Karachi. There was consensus among the officials and experts over the need for more greenery across the metropolis and the availability of recreational spaces and facilities for citizens, particularly the youth.

Mayor Akhtar admitted the need for more parks and open spaces to curb environmental pollution in Karachi and assured the visitors of all possible cooperation for implementation of the recommended measures.

The senior UN official, Mahenau Agha, invited the city mayor to attend an international conference on environment protection scheduled to be held in Nairobi from December 4 to December 6 this year. 

Rain fallout

The city mayor visited the Rain Emergency Centre set up at the KMC Sports Complex to review the complaints received after Monday’s rainfall. 

Speaking to newsmen, Akhtar appreciated the performance of the officials who manned the centre and addressed all complaints that were received. He said trees and electric poles that had toppled due to strong winds had been removed and drainage work was conducted immediately.  The mayor vowed to ensure an effective response mechanism across the city.