PHA to get Rs60m in first phase to make Rawalpindi green

Rawalpindi

The Punjab government has given the task of making Rawalpindi a ’Green City’ to the Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) and promised it funds of Rs60 million out of the total 150 million in first phase to spread greenery and fragrance of flowers all around.

The Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) has demanded Rs150 million to make Rawalpindi a ‘Green City,’ while the Punjab government promised to provide Rs60 million in the first phase of the project. 

There will be plants, flowers and trees of Patonia, Pensy, Salvia, Entrinum, Merigold, Cestrum Nocturnum, Cestrum Diarnum, Moraya, Amal Tass, Jacranda, Casia, Largerstonia and Jasminum to improve the beauty and environment of Rawalpindi. The Ladies Park near Liaquat Bagh will also be functional soon. 

The Parks & Horticulture Authority will also establish a natural place for birds near Committee Chowk. Birds will come to the place to get feed round the clock. 

PHA Director General Malik Abid Mehmood told ‘The News’  that Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif is keen to make Rawalpindi a ‘Green City.’ "We had demanded Rs150 million, while the Punjab government promised to provide us Rs60 million in first phase to start working," he said. 

He said that there are only a few greenbelts in Rawalpindi. "In first phase, we will plant plants at roadsides of Airport Road, Rawal Road, Benazir Bhutto Road and Rashid Minhas Road. We have established five nurseries where we are growing saplings. There will be flowers and plants of Pensy, Potania, Entrinum, Amaltas in Rawalpindi city," he claimed. Around 'nullahs,' there will be plants of Cestrum Nocturnum and Cestrum Diarnum all around to improve the environment, he said.

He said that there are 49 parks in Rawal Town and Potohar Town. As many as 46 parks are functional, while three parks are being developed. "We have improved lighting system and irrigation system in all parks of Rawalpindi," he claimed. He said that they are growing native plants in Potohar region which are ‘allergy-free.’

He said that we are going to plant trees of Amaltas, Neelum and Bruchicutum all around Rawalpindi city and cantonment board localities. A small sitting area (park) near Marir Chowk will also be functional very soon, he claimed. He said that we would spend Rs2 million on the renovation of ‘Ladies Park’ near Liaquat Bagh. 

Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Malik Abid said that they are going to pass a regulation to impose fine if anybody cuts a tree without permission of the PHA.