20 million trees required in Karachi, says mayor

More than 20 million trees are required in Karachi to overcome the environmental pollution in the city.

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar said this at the start of a tree plantation campaign in Bagh Ibne Qasim, Clifton on Sunday. He planted a 15-foot tall gulmohr tree at the event. According to Akhtar, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) was expected to meet its target of planting 100,000 saplings in the metropolis.

However, the plantation of the required 20 million trees in the city could not be achieved without the involvement of citizens, he said. The mayor explained that trees having heights of 12 to 15 feet were being planted at the KMC parks so that they could provide shade to people.

Various species of tall trees were planted at Bagh Ibne Qasim at the event, many of which were flowering species that would give beautiful look to the park. The mayor said he opted to plant trees instead of saplings so that people could immediately receive benefits of such trees.

Besides Bagh Ibne Qasim, trees were being planted at Jheel Park, Hill Park and other parks and green belts in the city, the mayor said. He appealed to all the citizens of Karachi to plant a tree so that the target of adding 20 million trees in the city could be achieved.

Akhtar also urged the district municipal corporations, Karachi Development Authority and other civic bodies to participate in the plantation campaign in the city. Citizens of Karachi should also take part in this drive to make the city green and beautiful, he said.