Cara Warga Karachi Ubah Lahan Gersang Jadi Hijau

Summary

Karachi, Pakistan, faces severe air pollution and a shortage of green spaces, despite a population of 15 million. Parks are being repurposed, and the lack of trees exacerbates health issues like the 2015 heatwave. To combat this, the Urban Forest initiative was launched, inspired by Japanese concepts. This project focuses on creating dense forests with local species, promoting biodiversity, and improving air quality. The forest also uses sustainable practices, such as wastewater recycling and rainwater harvesting, making it a promising solution to Karachi's environmental challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, faces severe air pollution caused by car exhaust and concrete buildings.
• 😀 The population of Karachi is about 15 million, but it has limited resources, especially for green spaces and parking.
• 😀 The city currently has around 1,500 parks, though experts recommend at least 2,500 parks to meet the urban needs.
• 😀 Many parks in Karachi are neglected, and some old parks have been repurposed for housing or other buildings.
• 😀 Urban planning in Karachi often lacks a focus on green space, causing a decline in public parks and open areas.
• 😀 In 2015, a deadly heatwave in Karachi claimed many lives, and experts link the intensity of the heat to a lack of trees in urban areas.
• 😀 In response, residents developed an urban forest model inspired by Japanese expertise, focusing on planting more trees in smaller spaces.
• 😀 The urban forest project in Karachi aims to create dense green spaces with local species, improving biodiversity and environmental conditions.
• 😀 The urban forest not only helps increase oxygen production but also absorbs carbon dioxide, significantly improving air quality.
• 😀 The project includes around 50 different plant species, with a focus on native plants like the sacred fig tree, which supports local insect life.
• 😀 The urban forest also features rainwater harvesting systems and the use of recycled wastewater to irrigate the plants, making it a sustainable initiative.

Q & A

What is the main environmental issue facing Karachi, according to the script?

The main environmental issue facing Karachi is air pollution caused by vehicle exhausts and industrial buildings, along with a lack of green spaces in the city.

How large is Karachi's population, and why does this contribute to the city's environmental challenges?

Karachi has a population of 15 million people, which leads to overcrowding, limited resources, and high demand for parking and public spaces, exacerbating environmental problems like air pollution and the scarcity of trees.

What is the current state of parks in Karachi?

There are currently around 1,508 parks in Karachi, both small and large, but experts suggest the city should have at least 2,500 parks. Many of the existing parks are neglected or repurposed for residential or commercial buildings.

What was the impact of the heatwave in Karachi in 2015?

In 2015, Karachi experienced a deadly heatwave that caused many fatalities. One of the key factors contributing to the intensity of the heat was the lack of trees and greenery in urban areas.

How does Karachi plan to tackle its lack of green space?

Karachi plans to address the shortage of green spaces by developing urban forests, such as the one designed by local experts in the city's Christian Quarter, inspired by a model from Japan.

What is the concept behind the urban forest in Karachi?

The urban forest concept focuses on maximizing the number of trees in a small area, creating a dense forest that helps mitigate the urban heat island effect. It emphasizes planting local tree species to support biodiversity.

What are the environmental benefits of the urban forest in Karachi?

The urban forest in Karachi helps increase oxygen production, absorb carbon dioxide, and promote biodiversity. It also supports over 50 plant species and provides a natural habitat for insects and other wildlife.

How does the urban forest contribute to water conservation in Karachi?

The urban forest features a rainwater harvesting system and uses wastewater recycling to irrigate the plants. This sustainable water management approach is vital in a city like Karachi, which faces water shortages.

Why is the use of wastewater for irrigation important in the urban forest project?

Using wastewater for irrigation is important because it recycles valuable water resources, ensuring that plants receive the necessary water without putting additional strain on the city's already limited water supply.

What role do local tree species play in the success of the urban forest?

Local tree species are crucial to the success of the urban forest because they are better suited to the local climate and soil conditions, helping the forest thrive and contribute to the city's ecological health.