DHA Promoting Green Peace - Horticulture Directorate

21st Century has devised a definite change in ‘environments’ as previous era has caused sizeable damage to them in terms of Industrial developments. Muslims while rehabilitating new towns in the past emphasized tree plantation in the new habitats. Abbasis, Usmanis and Mughals were very strong lovers of trees and greenery. Even Sher Shah Suri made intensive tree plantation around main Grand Trunk Road leading from Punjab to Dehli.

DHA Horticulture Directorate has therefore made hectic efforts to improve deteriorating environmental conditions in Urban area in view of infestation of concrete, high rise buildings and increased pollution. Environmental pollution is a real threat to human health but DHA Parks and Green Road Medians have not only provided aesthetic delight to people but also with soothing and healthy influence on nerves. DHA evergreen Parks provide the healthy and aerobic atmosphere both to DHA and citizens of Karachi city.

Some of the new developments in DHA Parks and Beautification Projects in DHA are listed as under:

Gizri Hill Project: This area was totally barren and was accounted as the ugliest spot specially located at the entrance of Punjab Chowrangi (roundabout) for the last 60 years. Now this area has been aesthetically landscaped and its natural look still remains unaltered. Recently two beautiful water falls have been commissioned here. Now lighting and sitting arrangements are under way to add to its beauty. Adjacent barren patch is also being converted into green mesh as one entity.

Korangi-Ittehad Intersection: This is another addition to beautification project undertaken by DHA Hort Dte in coordination with M/S Axact. Axact has made excellent contributions in converting this extremely polluted area into aesthetic green one. M/S Axact has also installed two beautiful fountains with controlled water distribution system. These fountains have also been furnished with beautiful and colourful light system which adds to its beauty specially at night. One of the Island on this Intersection depicts Industrial area leading towards Korangi.

Transfer and Sharing of Responsibilities with Cantt Board Clifton
Basic responsibility of DHA is to develop the area and then hand over this developed area to Cantt Board Clifton subsequently for maintenance and up keep. In this regard DHA has transferred some of the following Horticulture assets in 1st phase to Cantt Board Clifton:

– Khayaban-e-Ittehad Evergreen Road Median
– Bukhari Park
– Phase VII Park
– All Small Parks in Seaview Apartments i.e, Phase-VI.
– DHA Horticulture Directorate will likewise develop new Park in Phase VIII and new plantations in Coastal area.
– Plantation along Beach view Avenue and Coastal Area of Phase VIII.

In the past, it was believed that no plantation can survive on Beach Avenue Road Median but with sincere efforts of DHA Hort Dte, Conocarpus trees have been planted against all the odds of prevalent hostile coast wind. These trees and evergreen grass have survived against adverse weather for two years. Now Conocarpus trees have also been planted all along the Coastal area.