KARACHI: Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab has said that the Urban Forest project will prove to be a significant milestone in reducing pollution and improving environmental conditions in the country’s largest city.
Speaking to media representatives in Karachi, the mayor stated that large-scale plantation efforts are underway as part of the initiative to transform Karachi into a greener and more environmentally friendly city.
According to Murtaza Wahab, around 10,000 trees have already been planted along Shahrah-e-Bhutto, while authorities have set a target of planting 100,000 trees and plants in the area.
He described the Urban Forest initiative as a major environmental project aimed at combating rising air pollution, improving oxygen levels, and enhancing the city’s overall ecological balance.
“The Urban Forest project will become an important milestone in reducing Karachi’s pollution,” he said, adding that the city administration has accelerated its tree plantation campaign to address environmental challenges.
The mayor said that different varieties of trees, including neem and gulmohar, are being planted along Shahrah-e-Bhutto as part of a phased greening plan. He explained that the plantation project would be completed gradually to ensure proper maintenance and long-term sustainability.
Murtaza Wahab further stated that improving Karachi’s oxygen levels and environmental quality requires extensive plantation drives and long-term urban planning.
“We have started large-scale tree plantation to improve oxygen levels in Karachi. Practical measures are being taken to make the city greener,” he said.
He added that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Parks Department began work on the project approximately two months ago after a decision was made to establish green zones around Shahrah-e-Bhutto.
The mayor also said that local plant species would be prioritized in the plantation drive to ensure better survival and environmental compatibility. He noted that neem trees had already been planted in Korangi as part of the broader campaign.
According to Murtaza Wahab, plans are underway to establish green zones in all seven districts of Karachi. He appealed to citizens to actively participate in plantation efforts and contribute by planting trees as a form of ongoing charity, or “Sadaqah Jariyah.”
Environmental experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of urban forests and green spaces in large metropolitan cities like Karachi, which faces serious challenges related to air pollution, rising temperatures, traffic emissions, and shrinking green cover.
Urban forestry projects are considered effective tools for improving air quality, reducing urban heat, conserving biodiversity, and creating healthier living environments for residents.
During the media interaction, the mayor also discussed ongoing development projects in Karachi. He said work is continuing on several major infrastructure schemes, including Shahrah-e-Bhutto, the Baloch Colony Expressway, Korangi Causeway, and Taj Haider Bridge.
He stated that multiple development projects are progressing across different parts of the city as part of efforts to improve transportation, urban infrastructure, and public facilities.
The Urban Forest initiative has gained attention amid growing public concern over Karachi’s environmental degradation, climate-related challenges, and lack of green spaces in densely populated areas.
