Karachi: The Sindh government and the People and Nature Initiative (PANI) recently signed a collaboration agreement to launch a tree plantation campaign at the city’s Nehr-e-Khayyam nullah — a news source reported.
PANI, a non-governmental organisation, had signed an agreement to start development on Nehr-e-Khayyam Park adjacent to Karachi Grammar School (KGS) in Clifton earlier this month. Nehr-e-Khayyam was originally supposed to be a drain for rainwater but it has turned into a sewage drain.
Reportedly, KGS students and nearby residents participated in the tree plantation drive on Sunday. The event was also attended by Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Environment Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, and PANI’s chief Shahid Abdullah.
Speaking on the occasion, the mayor said that he had received
several complaints from the local residents of Clifton and surrounding areas
regarding the foul smell from the Nehr-e-Khayyam. As a result, he decided to
bring PANI’s head Mr. Abdullah on board to resolve the issue, and also ordered
for the removal of all the encroachments in the area.
Mayo Akhtar stated that it had taken authorities nearly
three years to restore Nehr-e-Khayyam to its original state, and that now the plan
was to convert the entire area into a recreational spot for the residents of Karachi.
