The Model Town Society authorities are adamant to go ahead with the plan of building a recreational park despite severe reservations and even protests of the residents of one of the city’s oldest housing society, Pakistan Today has learnt.
According to details, a summary for the concept approval of the recreational park approval has been sent to the registrar of Cooperative Societies of Punjab.
The central park is the main park of the society and covers a total area of 125 acres, of which 65 forms the green area. The visitors have to pay an entrance fee of Rs 10 every time they enter the park.
The management of the Model Town Cooperative Housing Society intends to commercialise the central park by installing latest swings and video game machines, along with constructing a ladies’ gym area for the residents of Model Town and other citizen of city.
After the machines and the swings are installed, the children would be charged extra money for using the facilities.
“The Management Committee of Model Town Society, which is duly elected by its members, is a custodian of the interests and assets of the society. Members and office bearers are expected to adopt a socially responsible stance on all issues. However, in this particular case they have adopted a policy which could have a very bad effect on the environment and which would also destroy the natural beauty of the park.
Technically, these decisions need to be discussed with all the residents of the society and a unanimous resolution needs to be adopted. A unilateral resolution ignoring the technical, social and environmental repercussions does not hold. The Managing Committee must ensure that the aims and objectives conceived by the founders of the sole green locality of Lahore are implemented in letter and in spirit,” residents said while talking to Pakistan Today.
Model Town Central Park and Linear Park (developed by Late Mian Shareef, father of Nawaz and Shahbaz Shareef) are the only green areas of Lahore after Bagh-e-Jinnah (Lawrence Garden) that has a rich heritage of plants and social community culture. These landscapes help to bridge the gap between the natural environment and the city life. In the midst of the highly urban culture these Model Town Parks are the only source of relief and a healthy enjoyment because of a noise free, pristine, fresh and fully secure environment. Commercialisation of these green areas will lead to insecurity and social and cultural damage. Residents and visitors alike will lose a safe, healthy and relaxed environment.
“The Supreme Court of Pakistan had also recently ordered demolition of commercial buildings built in a green area of Islamabad as the same was considered violation of rules and regulations for parks,” a source said, adding that financial resources can be generated by practicing austerity and implementing projects other than proposed irrational commercialisation.
“We have over 250 people working on the park and it is very hard to generate enough revenue for its maintenance. We are hoping that these swings and other facilities will attract more people to the park and will help us meet the required expenditures,” the management of the Model Town Society said.
