URBAN FORESTRY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN KARACHI

URBAN FORESTRY Includes Street Trees Residential Trees Park Trees Greenbelt Provides habitat for a diversity of urban wildlife

CURRENT SCENARIO 6 % forest cover “Forestation, Aesthetic Plantation and Landscaping for Karachi” Comprehensive Plan Cost: Rs. 8.3 billion Not implemented Included native tree species badaam Lignum vitae bargad (banyan tree) peepal gulmohar neem Monoculture of tree plantation: Conocarpus

GREEN COVER Source: (Qureshi, 2007)

COST: RS 5.5 MILLION CAUSE FOR POLLEN ALLERGY AND ASTHMA WATER-SUCKER CONCARPUS: THE SELFISH TREE

PROBLEM WITH MONOCULTURE 10 % rule Hinders bird population Disease threat Dutch elm disease

WHY INVEST IN URBAN FORESTRY Economic Benefits Social Benefits Environmental Benefits Health Benefits Psychological Benefits

SOCIAL AND AESTHETIC BENEFITS source of outdoor recreation. facilitates social interaction reduce ethnic and social polarization Reduces crime

ECONOMIC BENEFITS Increases property value Energy Conservation Improves Business Urban Agroforestry Reduced Public Spending on Town Infrastructure

HEALTH BENEFITS Reduces Stress Encourages non-sedentary liefstyle Improves Air Quality Heat Island Mitigation

CHALLENGES Political Will Urban Forest Education Need for legislation to protect trees

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