Karachi launches mangrove drive as mayor outlines wider environmental projects

KARACHI: Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Saturday inaugurated a mangrove and tree plantation campaign at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park and said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation was moving ahead with a series of environmental initiatives across the city aimed at promoting eco-friendly development.

Speaking to the media at the event, the mayor said a Biodiversity Park had recently been announced in the Keamari area and would be inaugurated by November 2026. He said the facility would help students learn about mangrove forests and understand their environmental significance.

He said the plantation campaign at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park would be expanded, with more than 5,000 mangrove saplings to be planted at the site. The mayor added that the park’s boundary walls had been removed so that visitors could have a clearer view of the greenery and surrounding natural landscape.

Plantation and biodiversity plans

Mayor Wahab thanked Arif Khokhar and the Forest Department for their cooperation and said joint work would be carried out to encourage mangrove growth in Karachi, Thatta and Sujawal. He also said that two world records linked to mangrove plantations had already been achieved.

He further announced plans to convert Aladdin Park on Rashid Minhas Road into an urban forest. In addition, he said 50 acres of KMC land would be used for plantation campaigns and other environmentally friendly activities.

The mayor also warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in the illegal cutting of trees in any part of the city.

Sewage treatment and water supply

Addressing sewage-related issues in Karachi, the mayor said the Gutter Baghicha Haroonabad Sewage Treatment Plant would become operational by June 30. He added that a 100 MGD treatment plant would be activated by Dec 31, 2026.

He said the Mauripur Treatment Plant would process 54 MGD of wastewater and described it as a significant contribution towards environmental improvement.

On the K-IV water supply project, Mayor Wahab said the scheme had remained pending before the Council of Common Interests since 2016 and had been inaugurated several times by different prime ministers. He added that Rs10 billion had been earmarked for the project in the budget for the current fiscal year.