Karachi: In an unprecedented and awe-inspiring move, the Kharadar Chowk Bagh was created here today, in an area that been completely encroached upon by shops, a local mosque and street vendors. The Heritage Foundation has once again proved that nothing is impossible if one’s intentions are sincere, and the objective is to work for the public good and interest. Through a collaborative effort of Partners in Public Good, and with minimal expense and a lot of good-will Yasmeen Lari, CEO and founder of Heritage Foundation has achieved what no man had dared to in the past. She managed to get all those who had been encroaching on government land with impunity to voluntarily remove their encroachments even if it meant demolishing their illegally constructed structures themselves. And then with the help of partners Heritage Foundation has managed to get 600 trees donated and planted in the newly cleared Kharadar Chowk.
This community forest along with the restoration of the abandoned 1920s Police Chowki at Kharadar and regeneration of Kharadar Chowk is the result of collaboration between the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan; DIG South, DC South, and Administrator DMC South. Known as ‘Partners in Public Good’, this group has led the effort, with the unprecedented cooperation of local businesses and personnel, to reclaim and restore the space around Kharadar Chowk for the eponymous ‘bagh’, involving the relinquishing of a large tract of land by the neighbouring mosque, and demolition of shops from public space, along with voluntary removal of encroachments by the chowk shopkeepers. Rotary Club Karachi New Central, Global Green and Joy Squad collectively donated 300 plants for this project, while the local community and Bukhari Mosque have donated another 300.
The event hosted by Heritage Foundation and Kharadar Community which displayed an extraordinary sense of ownership by participating fully in the regeneration of this historic area, started with the plantation ceremony of the 600 trees. After tilawat, director Heritage Foundation Pakistan, Shanaz Ramzi welcomed the guests and media present. Yasmeen Lari, CEO Heritage Foundation Pakistan then briefed the media about the project, after which Administartor DMC South Dr Afshan Rubab Syed threw light on the contribution of DMC to the project. DC South, Abdul Sattar Esani spoke about the role he played in the access of this project, after which the chief guest, DIG South, Sharjil Kharal gave his address. Vote of. Thanks was presented by Shanaz Ramzi and Naheem Shah, project manager, Heritage Foundation Pakistan, who thanked all the stake holders and those who helped make this dream project possible.
It may be noted that the success of Rahguzar Walking Street at Denso Hall, another Heritage Foundation project, had shown the potential of community-led green projects that can save our city from unlivable conditions. With the formation, through Heritage Foundation’s untiring collaborative efforts, of Denso Hall Rahguzar Walking Street, aka Zero Carbon Street with its large street forests, permeable and sponge terracotta pavements, aquifer wells to replenish the receding sub-soil water level, cleaned heritage buildings and a clean and healthy environment, ‘Partners in Public Good’ has come into being, a collaborative to take up other significant areas on the 2 km Red Heritage Trail that winds through the historic core of Karachi.
It goes without saying that the shrinking public space of the metropolitan is a grave concern for its residents. Karachi’s citizenry is in dire need of breathable, walkable areas that allows them to unwind without the expectation of spending money to access them. The city is on its path to more people and fewer trees. It is clear that this is an unsustainable trend, especially in a region which is already feeling the brunt of climate disaster and is unable to provide basic necessities to its residents. The citizens of Karachi are openly invited to join Heritage Foundation in this collaborative effort to carry on the transformation of the city to make it livable for all including women and children.
The PR of the event was handled by STARLINKS PR and Events.
