The Capital Development Authority (CDA) planned on Sunday to set up more parks and playgrounds in Islamabad to provide maximum recreational spots to the people. At present, there were 178 small and six big parks in the federal capital but as the population had increased, these were not sufficient to cater to the increasing public needs. “In the year 2007-08, the population of Islamabad was just 0.8 million but now it had jumped to 1.6 million. Hence, the existing parks and playgrounds were not enough to accommodate the public demand,” a CDA official told APP. He said that the civic body was being given Rs 16 million by the government every year for the development of parks. “We have formed associations in every sector of the capital to look after these parks and playgrounds,” he said. He said steps were being taken to improve the condition of existing playgrounds and parks in the capital. The official added that the CDA, with the cooperation of the police, was taking measures to stop unfair use of public parks and grounds. Police had started taking action against those who were involved in illegal chopping of trees or misusing of public parks.
