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WCC 2020 Res 067 - Activity Report

Submitted by amber.alibhai on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 13:37
General Information
Call for Nature in Cities agendas and Strengthening the IUCN Urban Alliance
IUCN Constituent: 
Shehri: Citizens for a Better Environment
IUCN Constituent type: 
IUCN Member
Period covered: 
2022
Geographic scope: 
South and East Asia
Country/Territory: 
Pakistan
In implementing this Resolution your organization has worked/consulted with...
IUCN Members: 
No other Members are/have been involved
IUCN Commissions: 
No Commissions are/have been involved
Implementation
Indicate and briefly describe any actions that have been carried out to implement this Resolution: 
ActionDescriptionStatus
Education/Communication/Raising awarenessPARKS AND AMENITY SPACES IN KARACHI: Shehri – Citizens for a Better Environment compiled the book title “Park and Amenity Spaces of Karachi”. The research carried out in the making of this book has taken more than three years. The purpose is to provide concerned citizens with a document that will assist them in determining the location and types of amenity, public utility service and park plots in this city, and the rules and laws governing their usage. Additionally, it highlights the present status of the open spaces in terms of encroached land, changes in land use, etc. It is useful in tackling many complaints we receive daily at the help desk. It has become the primary resource book for 70 % complaints queries we receive. SNPA 21/B & SNPA 23, Block 7/8 KCHS Union Tipu Sultan Road. SNPA 21/B is spread over an of 11780 sqyds, the master plan status is school and playground. The 5000 sqyds which was playground has been converted into a park and charged parking area, the remaining open area is being used as “marriage garden” by the society and it is rented out. SNPA 23 is designated as a park/playground in the master plan. It is being used as car parking. In 2021 Shehri brought this illegalities to Supreme Court. The Court has directed the Ministry of Housing (GoP), Commissioner Karachi and KCHS Union to restore the amenity plots according to its master plan, matter pending. Completed
Education/Communication/Raising awarenessSaving the Amenity Space “Gutter Baghicha”, filed Public Interest Litigation in 1994 to save urban forest, including 200 acres taken by KMC for housing. The citizens won the case after passage of 27 years. A valuable member of Shehri team was shot on 7th November 2009 by the land mafia opposing the case. Saving the Kidney Hill 62 acres: Shehri and residents filed Public Interest Litigation in 2007 to reclaim Shehri along with residents of the area, filed Public Interest Litigation in 2007 to reclaim 62 Acres of Kidney Hill park from encroachment.In 2020 the Supreme Court granted our petition after 19 years, 56 acres has been retrieved and planted approximately 200000 trees, converting it into a green lung for the city. Saving Hill Park 56 Acres: Over the years various encroachment took place and illegal carved out plots for housing purposes. In 2020 Court granted our petition and 56 acres has been retrieved. Now the park has been developed by District Administration. ST-21, Block 5, Clifton is an amenity plot earmarked for a park. Shehri filed Public Interest Litigation to stop carving this park into housing, a play filed for a private school, construction of a private school. Shehri successfully stopped all these illegal activities and the space is developed as a park. Al Bari Tower (SNPA 70, KCHS Union), measuring 3931 sqyds is meant for family park, illegally bifurcated into three plots and a small portion of the plot has been left for a family park. Shehri brought this matter to Supreme Court in 2021 and the Court has grated status quo. The structure is standing, matter is in court Galiyat Development Authority (GDA): Peshawar High Court, Green Bench in Case No. WPs No.348/2011&113/2011, asked Shehri to join as Amicus Curie in the above matter to help develop the Galiyat Master Plan (Nathia Gali) to conserve the environment of the scenic hillside. The recommendations become part of the order. On-going
Field activitiesTree Plantation drive by Shehri: This drive was initially started in February 2016 after Karachi experienced extreme heat wave which killed 132 people in Karachi inland heat effect in 2015, Shehri felt it’s duty to combat the effects of climate changes, extreme heat because of urbanization, construction etc. So we began to explore large open spaces, where we could plant hundred of trees and they would be safe and looked after. We targeted a large space in Quaid Mazar, which has quadruple shaped gardens around the mausoleum. We got permission for one guard space and to-date have planted approx 1200 trees. This is a continuing activity. • Neighborhood parks (Residents look after) • Road medians where residents look after. We distributed 5 to 6ft high trees as well on going year round activity. • Tree Plantation at Bagh-e-Ibn Qasim, Clifton • Tree Plantation at Burns Garden, Karachi • Tree plantation at Dill school in Orangi Town • Tree Plantation at KU Centre of Excellence Department, planted 30 Kachnar trees • Tree Plantation at Ladies Park, KAECHS, planted 45 trees there • Donated 1200 fruit trees to Orangi Pilot Project • Donated approx 10000 plants to different organizations On-going
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken: 
The result and achievement for Gutter Baghicha and Kidney Hill is that the law was applied - Gutter Baghicha remains an open space for a densely populated area. Otherwise it would be factories, housing and pollution. It has become a lung for Karachi (District West).
Kidney Hill another open space saved. An urban forest planted another lung for the city in District East. It has now developed.
What challenges have you encountered in implementing this Resolution and what measures have you taken to overcome them?: 
The challenges were physical threats to family, work colleagues, for both matters. Unfortunately in Gutter Baghicha we lost a colleague he was murdered. Our civil society partners all over the country jointed with us and become a pressure group - petitioning the government of province, while the court cases continued.
Identify and briefly describe what future actions are planned for the implementation of this Resolution: 
Future ActionDescription
Field activities