Expressing grave concern over lack of parks and gardens in Karachi besides cutting of mangroves in the coastal areas, Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor here Sunday demanded of the government of Sindh and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) to increase the tree cover of the megacity on urgent basis.

“We should follow the suit of the second megacity Lahore, where the government is taking efforts to increase tree plantation. The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) of Lahore is working to plant over 25 million trees during this year to boost Lahore’s low tree cover to 7 percent, hence the tree cover of Karachi should also be increased at least with the same ratio,” Mr Shakoor said in a statement today.

He said that tree cover primarily cool the air by shading surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, preventing heat storage and reducing the urban heat island effect. Tree cover can reduce land surface temperature by 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (18 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit) on a summer day.

He said trees produce oxygen, intercept airborne particulates, and reduce smog, enhancing a community’s respiratory health. The urban canopy directly contributes to meeting a city’s regulatory clean air requirements. He said access to trees, green spaces, and parks promotes greater physical activity, and reduces stress, while improving the quality of life in our cities and towns.

Shakoor said that the Sindh government had planned urban forestry in Karachi but no concrete efforts are still seen in this regard. He said areas near Malir and Lyari rivers are ideal for urban forestry. He said mangrove forests could be developed along long coastline of the megacity. He asked the government to plant trees in Karachi on emergency basis to increase the green canopy of the megacity.