Rawalpindi: The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has decided to commercialise 2% areas of its parks in Rawalpindi District to generate revenue, a news source reported. As per the publication, it has been made mandatory for housing schemes in the district to give 1% of its income to PHA in terms of Green Pakistan Fund.
The decision will help trigger commercial activities in these parks. Owing to free entry in all public parks and in the absence of any other revenue-generating activity, the authority reportedly struggles to manage these facilities including paying salaries to its employees.
In another development, the PHA granted approval to setting up a new public park on Murree Road near Mareer Chowk. The allocated land for the new park already belongs to the authority, for which encroachment has been removed and additional saplings plantation is underway. Reportedly, the small park will see beautification in forms of lights, swings and statues elaborating the Pothohari culture.
In the meanwhile, the authority and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) have decided to launch plantation campaign along the I J Principal Road that connects Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The two bodies are soon expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard.
As per the plan, the PHA will plant thousands of saplings on the 10-kilometre long road. The CDA will be responsible for nurturing the saplings falling in its jurisdiction, while the PHA will take care of the saplings planted on Rawalpindi side.
