We need more green areas in our cities
The fast urbanization in Pakistan is eating up the green areas. Once our cities were decorated with the beautiful trees, but widening of roads and fast commercialization has consumed the green areas. Now our cities look like concrete jungles. This is not that we don’t need commercial areas or other infrastructure developments, but at the same time we also need green areas in our cities. Open green areas have the following advantages;
Green areas serve as the lungs for cities
Cities have higher pollution level than towns & villages due to large number of vehicles and industries. Green areas within cities serve as the lungs that consume carbon dioxide and release fresh air. Green areas always result in purifying the air and reducing pollution in the cities. Therefore open green areas and trees are required for clean air.
Green areas control urban floods
Paved areas cannot absorb rain water, which always results in urban floods with many problems. Water accumulated in streets cause’s transportation issues and diseases. On the other hand, open green areas can easily absorb the rain water. Green areas not only absorb the rainy water but also use this water for the growth of plants, grass and trees.
Green areas reduce the temperature
Open green areas result in consuming carbon dioxide. High level of gas emission from factories and vehicles results in increasing the temperature. On the other hand, green areas consume carbon dioxide and reduction of it reduces the temperature. Therefore open green areas are needed in cities to control high temperature.
Recreational facilities
Open green areas serve as platforms for social gathering and physical activities. Open green areas provide play land for children, sports grounds for the young people and walking space for the old people. Open spaces always provide recreational facilities that consume human energies and reduce frustration / tension.
Some good initiatives in Pakistan
Greater Iqbal Park Lahore is the right step to provide green areas in city centers. Greater Iqbal Park has provided the recreation area, greenery and ample parking space. We just need to start such projects in all urban areas of Pakistan. Billion trees movement in KPK was another marvelous initiative for better & greener Pakistan. What we need is to make laws that restrict and limit the green areas in cities. We should make it compulsory to have at least 20% green areas in our cities. This way we can provide green living for the people who are living in urban areas.