Glitzy plans

The infrastructural development of Karachi is expanding at a breath-taking pace. From housing projects to flyovers and metro bus systems, the city is fighting an endless battle to meet the needs of its bulging population. But the rapid progress is not well thought through at the government level. It is evident that those at the helm do not have much regard for the environment. A stroll down Karachi’s major thoroughfares shows how many green belts in the city have been uprooted in the name of development. Trees are being cut with impunity and at least one major park in district central has been ‘culled’ to make way for the Orange Line bus service.

The glitzy 3 D animated plans for Karachi look promising but the systematic elimination of green belts will take its toll on its inhabitants sooner or later. It is time the authorities took the environmental costs of these developments seriously. Or else the damages will be irreparable.

Jaleel Ahmed

Karachi