Havelis of Pakistan
Dear Ameerhamza, I never got a chance to see heritage of Shikarpur or Sukkur , but after reading your report, I will visit them one day.
Filming heritage buildings will bring tremendous awareness among our otherwise indifferent and biased officials and influentials.
Heritage buildings belonging to Hindus, Sikhs and Britishers are like a ``mal-e-ganeemat`` or war booty and they are easy loots for our developer and power mafia.
Proper documentation along with architectural details, inner details and surrounding landscapes and historic trees etc. is of utmost importance.
National heritage registry is needed on emergency basis.
As most of the colluding corrupt government officers have failed to protect priceless heritage of Pakistan, and they will never do any thing against their personal selfish interests hence citizens with aesthetic sense must come forward and protect the heritage.
Pakistan has history of 5000 years and we could have eradicated poverty and earned billions of rupees from tourism industry and it would have improved our image and relations with rest of the world as well, but Alas! Mullah and qabza mafia...selfish cheap masters of orphan and voiceless Pakistan.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 25, 2006 02:55 pm
Reply to #5Dear Ameerhamza, I never got a chance to see heritage of Shikarpur or Sukkur , but after reading your report, I will visit them one day.
Filming heritage buildings will bring tremendous awareness among our otherwise indifferent and biased officials and influentials.
Heritage buildings belonging to Hindus, Sikhs and Britishers are like a ``mal-e-ganeemat`` or war booty and they are easy loots for our developer and power mafia.
Proper documentation along with architectural details, inner details and surrounding landscapes and historic trees etc. is of utmost importance.
National heritage registry is needed on emergency basis.
As most of the colluding corrupt government officers have failed to protect priceless heritage of Pakistan, and they will never do any thing against their personal selfish interests hence citizens with aesthetic sense must come forward and protect the heritage.
Pakistan has history of 5000 years and we could have eradicated poverty and earned billions of rupees from tourism industry and it would have improved our image and relations with rest of the world as well, but Alas! Mullah and qabza mafia...selfish cheap masters of orphan and voiceless Pakistan.
Havelis of Pakistan
KOHAT: Historical sites lose original look
By Abdul Sami Paracha
KOHAT, July 24: The 17 historical sites identified in Kohat for inclusion in the ‘travel guide of Pakistan’ by the federal tourism ministry have lost most of their grandeur because of corrosion and plunder by smugglers.
The document includes sites such as Tanda Dam, caves of Aad Samud dynasty, Kohat springs visited by Guru Nanak, shrines of Zinda Pir famous as Ghamkol Pir, Hazrat Haji Bahadar and Pir Baba Kabli, family graveyard of Ahmed Shah Abdali, the Kohat Fort where Alexander camped with his army, the Municipal Committee building, Cavagnari House, the cemetery where the mother of Miss Ellis, who was killed by Ajab Khan Afridi during the colonial period, lies buried, Guava gardens and hilly track.
The Handy Side Gate at Darra Pass erected in the memory of then regional army chief who subdued the Afridis, Toi Banda rest-house from where Shah Khwarzam crossed the Indus in the 12th century to save his life from the chasing army of Halaku Khan, Khushal Garh rest-house, Mir Kheli and a 16th century mosque in Shahpur village are also in the list.
The list prepared by the district government and approved by the nazim skipped a number of places like the palaces of the Durrani king and princes, the hilly track used by the army of Alexander to cross the Darra Pass, the Dhoda ground where Emperor Zaheeruddin Babar camped, eight of the 12 remaining gates of the walled city of Kohat and the Khushal Garh iron bridge. Most of the sites which have tourism potential have lost their original look because of negligence of the archaeology department and the district administration.
The Durrani family graveyard and the ruins of Aad and Samud have been robbed of precious tiles, gravestones, coins and statues, while some graves have been demolished and reconstructed by their caretakers. The 16th century mosque in the graveyard of the family of King Ahmed Shah Abdali has been repaired and whitewashed by members of the Tableeghi Jamaat to save its sanctity. The old mosque has become a den for drug sellers and addicts. Despite repeated requests by the heirs of the former king, the provincial archaeology department has not taken any steps to preserve it.
The shrine of Zinda Pir, visited by millions of people, has been reconstructed by his grandsons and followers.
The Kohat Fort constructed by the Durranis on the hilltop where Alexander camped with his army before marching towards north serves as the headquarters of the IXth army division. Only the tunnel which served as its only entrance and the trench surrounding it are in their original form.
Experts say the archaeology department should seek funds on emergency basis for preserving and developing the national heritage.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 25, 2006 02:37 pm
I quote an informational report about heritage of Kohat, NWFP , which got published in daily Dawn of july25, 2006:KOHAT: Historical sites lose original look
By Abdul Sami Paracha
KOHAT, July 24: The 17 historical sites identified in Kohat for inclusion in the ‘travel guide of Pakistan’ by the federal tourism ministry have lost most of their grandeur because of corrosion and plunder by smugglers.
The document includes sites such as Tanda Dam, caves of Aad Samud dynasty, Kohat springs visited by Guru Nanak, shrines of Zinda Pir famous as Ghamkol Pir, Hazrat Haji Bahadar and Pir Baba Kabli, family graveyard of Ahmed Shah Abdali, the Kohat Fort where Alexander camped with his army, the Municipal Committee building, Cavagnari House, the cemetery where the mother of Miss Ellis, who was killed by Ajab Khan Afridi during the colonial period, lies buried, Guava gardens and hilly track.
The Handy Side Gate at Darra Pass erected in the memory of then regional army chief who subdued the Afridis, Toi Banda rest-house from where Shah Khwarzam crossed the Indus in the 12th century to save his life from the chasing army of Halaku Khan, Khushal Garh rest-house, Mir Kheli and a 16th century mosque in Shahpur village are also in the list.
The list prepared by the district government and approved by the nazim skipped a number of places like the palaces of the Durrani king and princes, the hilly track used by the army of Alexander to cross the Darra Pass, the Dhoda ground where Emperor Zaheeruddin Babar camped, eight of the 12 remaining gates of the walled city of Kohat and the Khushal Garh iron bridge. Most of the sites which have tourism potential have lost their original look because of negligence of the archaeology department and the district administration.
The Durrani family graveyard and the ruins of Aad and Samud have been robbed of precious tiles, gravestones, coins and statues, while some graves have been demolished and reconstructed by their caretakers. The 16th century mosque in the graveyard of the family of King Ahmed Shah Abdali has been repaired and whitewashed by members of the Tableeghi Jamaat to save its sanctity. The old mosque has become a den for drug sellers and addicts. Despite repeated requests by the heirs of the former king, the provincial archaeology department has not taken any steps to preserve it.
The shrine of Zinda Pir, visited by millions of people, has been reconstructed by his grandsons and followers.
The Kohat Fort constructed by the Durranis on the hilltop where Alexander camped with his army before marching towards north serves as the headquarters of the IXth army division. Only the tunnel which served as its only entrance and the trench surrounding it are in their original form.
Experts say the archaeology department should seek funds on emergency basis for preserving and developing the national heritage.
People of Gilgit Baltistan: The Political Orphans
Respect, dignity and fairness is never offered to nations so easily, one has to raise self esteem and awareness of citizens so that they become aware of their true worth and they protect themselves and their precious priceless natural, cultural and architectural heritage from selfish, greedy looters and mafias.
Remember that thieves have no true foundations and bullies and mafias evaporate and disappear the moment public get united and recognise true enemies of their culture, harmony and peace.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 24, 2006 05:00 pm
This is a great article by Syed Ali sahib and it is heartening to hear a voice of historic, heavenly beautiful and pristine northern areas of Pakistan.Respect, dignity and fairness is never offered to nations so easily, one has to raise self esteem and awareness of citizens so that they become aware of their true worth and they protect themselves and their precious priceless natural, cultural and architectural heritage from selfish, greedy looters and mafias.
Remember that thieves have no true foundations and bullies and mafias evaporate and disappear the moment public get united and recognise true enemies of their culture, harmony and peace.
Havelis of Pakistan
Random venting out here and there or in newspapers will not help much, as it will fall on corrupt and deaf ears as usual.
Good news is that government of NWFP has procured one of the Sethi palaces in Peshawar.
We have to make sure that all items and details like original electrical fittings,faucets, paintings (if any) , chandeliers, stained glass etc. etc. of Sethi palace and other heritage buildings of Pakistan,get documented with the archaeology department and no overseer of C&W department should be able to steal any item in the name of replacement or renovation.
C&W department has recently painted and removed original brass ``made in England`` switches of Palace hotel Abbottabad at the cost of 24 lacs rupees.
Original electrical fittings and washroom faucets of the historic bungalow of Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan have also been replaced by one MPA cum contractor of our country.
Heritage buildings of India are being taken care off, and they earn billions of rupees from tourism industry, where as in Pakistan, Mullahs, who are kept dogs and touts of feudal masters, scare foreigners and tourists, hence giving billions of rupees losses to Pakistan.
If we want to save dignity of Pakistan and ourselves, then we will have to liberate Pakistan from the clutches of lawless bullies, ``qabza groups`` and their tout black sheep in government offices and blackmailers kind of fake Mullahs etc.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 24, 2006 04:47 pm
If we want to save leftovers of heritage buildings and surrounding landscapes of Pakistan then we will have to create a national heritage registry on urgent basis.Random venting out here and there or in newspapers will not help much, as it will fall on corrupt and deaf ears as usual.
Good news is that government of NWFP has procured one of the Sethi palaces in Peshawar.
We have to make sure that all items and details like original electrical fittings,faucets, paintings (if any) , chandeliers, stained glass etc. etc. of Sethi palace and other heritage buildings of Pakistan,get documented with the archaeology department and no overseer of C&W department should be able to steal any item in the name of replacement or renovation.
C&W department has recently painted and removed original brass ``made in England`` switches of Palace hotel Abbottabad at the cost of 24 lacs rupees.
Original electrical fittings and washroom faucets of the historic bungalow of Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan have also been replaced by one MPA cum contractor of our country.
Heritage buildings of India are being taken care off, and they earn billions of rupees from tourism industry, where as in Pakistan, Mullahs, who are kept dogs and touts of feudal masters, scare foreigners and tourists, hence giving billions of rupees losses to Pakistan.
If we want to save dignity of Pakistan and ourselves, then we will have to liberate Pakistan from the clutches of lawless bullies, ``qabza groups`` and their tout black sheep in government offices and blackmailers kind of fake Mullahs etc.
A City of Gardens
Here is what, Daily dawn reported about recent allotment of 39 lacs (3.9) million rupees for the study of Lahore canal bank trees problem, please note the clever use of words by ``officials`` and it seems that money is sitting with them and they are desperate to loot a big chunk of it.
Dawn reports on july 19, 2006:
Rs3.9m for Canal Road remodelling feasibility study
LAHORE, July 18: A sum of Rs3.981 million has been sanctioned to conduct a feasibility study for the Canal Road remodelling to ease traffic pressure.
An official announcement said on Tuesday “realising the current and future traffic problems on the canal route, it has been decided to conduct a feasibility study for remodelling the road from Dharampura underpass to Thoker Niaz Baig to release traffic blockade on permanent basis which is posing a serious environmental threat.”.......
............“A misunderstanding among some sections of the society that hundreds of trees will be cut down during this expansion of work is not correct. It has been decided that during the course, all stakeholders, citizens, organisations, NGOs, experts and media will be consulted and taken into confidence.”
An average government officer costs about 20 million (2 crores) to tax payers, and if one includes free real estate plots, perks and haram income ( uper ki amdani) then this figure reaches to several more crores.
Why giving 39 lacs of poor people`s money to consultants, when we have army of government engineers and experts on our pay rolls and they keep on gossiping, back biting and discussing and awaiting expensive real estate plots during duty hours??
I make following points which will help to understand and fight this case against internal termites and enemies of Pakistan.
1- There are lot of ``fruit -wallas`` and hawkers who block canal road of Lahore, do we know how many of them are without permit or how many of them are Afghan refugees?? Who is making billions of dollars in the name of Afghan refugees?? and when brother of Maulana FazalurRehman is commissioner Afghan refugees then we can understand the reasons behind the destruction of Pakistani cities especially Abbottabad, Haripur, Lahore and Peshawar.
2- Always keep this in your mind that illegal and without permit ``fruit-wallas`` or fruit hawkers survive and dump garbage in all cities of Pakistan in connivance with the corrupt officials of TMAs, Municipal committees, cantt boards etc.
Just sit there hidingly one day and notice how many crates of fruits ( and cash money also) , inspectors and custodians of government organisations like TMAs , get from those ``fruitwallas``.
2- In a report submitted to supreme court of Pakistan, well wishers and ``officials`` cunningly mentioned slowing down of traffic on the canal road,following are their clever words:
``The PDWP was further informed that the road attracted a large number of motorists because of underpasses but the two lanes could not accommodate the rush. During peak hours traffic speed had fallen from 55 kms an hour to 25 km an hour. “This results in excessive vehicular emission creating a dangerous level of environmental pollution.”
Do our experts know that speed limit in urban areas of Europe and USA is between 30 and 50 km/hour.
During rush hours it falls down to 5-10 km/hour but no body ever talked about chopping down of road side trees or to keep on expanding roads.
Main reason behind slow speed limits in urban area is that if a vehicle hits a child or a human being/animal etc at low speed, then they will survive the impact.
In this age of rising tempretures and global warming,Communities go for alternative means like,discouraging one man one car practice, encouraging van/car pool, natural gas driven buses, transit trains, bicycles, walking etc.
3- War against euclayptus trees is also being exploited by commission/bribe hungry engineers/planners and army of TEPA , PEPA, CDA, CONTRACTA, CONSULTA, EXPERTA, etc.
The type of euclayptus which is growing gracefully in Islamabad and along canal road of Lahore is a better and evolved type and it is known as ``citidora`` type with tall and straight trunks, and it is extensively used all over the world for landscaping and urban forestry.
It is true that, Euclayptus consumes twice the water than ``jamun`` or ``mango`` tree, but it also releases twice the water in air, which helps in transpiration, i.e., seed for the formation of clouds and rainfall etc.
Euclayptus oil is used in medicine, and it purifies the air and kills harmful germs also.
Instead of clear cutting euclayptus trees, only unhealthy, shabby or wild kind of this tree should be cut and replaced with indigenous heavenly trees like ``pipal`` , ``banyan`` , ``jamun``, ``mango``, ``desi kikar`` , ``phulai``, ``persian lilac or dharek``, ``shesham or rosewood`` etc.
At the end few lines from the daily dawn of july23, 2006 in which lootings in bright day light, trickiness and deception of ``feasibility report experts`` and government officials is mentioned,
Daily Dawn of july 23,2006 writes about the arrest of a government Engineer:
The complainant further alleged that the contractor, in connivance with TMA officials and the engineering branch, had received over Rs10 million payment, but carried out no work at all.
The ACE additional director himself conducted an inquiry and visited the site and found the allegations true. He ordered the registration of a case against TMO Shaikh Ziaul Haq, XEN Shahid Bilal, sub-engineer Shaukat Ali, contractor Chaudhry Abdul Rasheed and others.
Today`s dawn also writes about the fake matric certificate of Jamaat Islami`s naib nazim (government custodian) of distrct Swabi, NWFP.
This is just a tip of the ice berg, are we going to survive such internal cancers?? do we deserve any geniune respect in the eyes of God, or among league of nations??
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 23, 2006 03:41 pm
When it comes to lootings of heritage buildings, landscapes and trees, It all boils down to black money and cats are coming out of bags now.Here is what, Daily dawn reported about recent allotment of 39 lacs (3.9) million rupees for the study of Lahore canal bank trees problem, please note the clever use of words by ``officials`` and it seems that money is sitting with them and they are desperate to loot a big chunk of it.
Dawn reports on july 19, 2006:
Rs3.9m for Canal Road remodelling feasibility study
LAHORE, July 18: A sum of Rs3.981 million has been sanctioned to conduct a feasibility study for the Canal Road remodelling to ease traffic pressure.
An official announcement said on Tuesday “realising the current and future traffic problems on the canal route, it has been decided to conduct a feasibility study for remodelling the road from Dharampura underpass to Thoker Niaz Baig to release traffic blockade on permanent basis which is posing a serious environmental threat.”.......
............“A misunderstanding among some sections of the society that hundreds of trees will be cut down during this expansion of work is not correct. It has been decided that during the course, all stakeholders, citizens, organisations, NGOs, experts and media will be consulted and taken into confidence.”
An average government officer costs about 20 million (2 crores) to tax payers, and if one includes free real estate plots, perks and haram income ( uper ki amdani) then this figure reaches to several more crores.
Why giving 39 lacs of poor people`s money to consultants, when we have army of government engineers and experts on our pay rolls and they keep on gossiping, back biting and discussing and awaiting expensive real estate plots during duty hours??
I make following points which will help to understand and fight this case against internal termites and enemies of Pakistan.
1- There are lot of ``fruit -wallas`` and hawkers who block canal road of Lahore, do we know how many of them are without permit or how many of them are Afghan refugees?? Who is making billions of dollars in the name of Afghan refugees?? and when brother of Maulana FazalurRehman is commissioner Afghan refugees then we can understand the reasons behind the destruction of Pakistani cities especially Abbottabad, Haripur, Lahore and Peshawar.
2- Always keep this in your mind that illegal and without permit ``fruit-wallas`` or fruit hawkers survive and dump garbage in all cities of Pakistan in connivance with the corrupt officials of TMAs, Municipal committees, cantt boards etc.
Just sit there hidingly one day and notice how many crates of fruits ( and cash money also) , inspectors and custodians of government organisations like TMAs , get from those ``fruitwallas``.
2- In a report submitted to supreme court of Pakistan, well wishers and ``officials`` cunningly mentioned slowing down of traffic on the canal road,following are their clever words:
``The PDWP was further informed that the road attracted a large number of motorists because of underpasses but the two lanes could not accommodate the rush. During peak hours traffic speed had fallen from 55 kms an hour to 25 km an hour. “This results in excessive vehicular emission creating a dangerous level of environmental pollution.”
Do our experts know that speed limit in urban areas of Europe and USA is between 30 and 50 km/hour.
During rush hours it falls down to 5-10 km/hour but no body ever talked about chopping down of road side trees or to keep on expanding roads.
Main reason behind slow speed limits in urban area is that if a vehicle hits a child or a human being/animal etc at low speed, then they will survive the impact.
In this age of rising tempretures and global warming,Communities go for alternative means like,discouraging one man one car practice, encouraging van/car pool, natural gas driven buses, transit trains, bicycles, walking etc.
3- War against euclayptus trees is also being exploited by commission/bribe hungry engineers/planners and army of TEPA , PEPA, CDA, CONTRACTA, CONSULTA, EXPERTA, etc.
The type of euclayptus which is growing gracefully in Islamabad and along canal road of Lahore is a better and evolved type and it is known as ``citidora`` type with tall and straight trunks, and it is extensively used all over the world for landscaping and urban forestry.
It is true that, Euclayptus consumes twice the water than ``jamun`` or ``mango`` tree, but it also releases twice the water in air, which helps in transpiration, i.e., seed for the formation of clouds and rainfall etc.
Euclayptus oil is used in medicine, and it purifies the air and kills harmful germs also.
Instead of clear cutting euclayptus trees, only unhealthy, shabby or wild kind of this tree should be cut and replaced with indigenous heavenly trees like ``pipal`` , ``banyan`` , ``jamun``, ``mango``, ``desi kikar`` , ``phulai``, ``persian lilac or dharek``, ``shesham or rosewood`` etc.
At the end few lines from the daily dawn of july23, 2006 in which lootings in bright day light, trickiness and deception of ``feasibility report experts`` and government officials is mentioned,
Daily Dawn of july 23,2006 writes about the arrest of a government Engineer:
The complainant further alleged that the contractor, in connivance with TMA officials and the engineering branch, had received over Rs10 million payment, but carried out no work at all.
The ACE additional director himself conducted an inquiry and visited the site and found the allegations true. He ordered the registration of a case against TMO Shaikh Ziaul Haq, XEN Shahid Bilal, sub-engineer Shaukat Ali, contractor Chaudhry Abdul Rasheed and others.
Today`s dawn also writes about the fake matric certificate of Jamaat Islami`s naib nazim (government custodian) of distrct Swabi, NWFP.
This is just a tip of the ice berg, are we going to survive such internal cancers?? do we deserve any geniune respect in the eyes of God, or among league of nations??
A City of Gardens
If this pattern prevails, then in coming years we will find ourselves in a complete mess, and our basic existence will become difficult due to lack of greenery,noise and air pollution etc.
I quote a powerful letter by a concerned and civilized citizen of Pakistan and this letter got published in the daily Nation of july 21,2006.
This letter will bring tremendous awareness for our esteemed readers.
Depleting forests of Indus
A tree is the nature`s gift for mankind. Not only do trees keep the atmosphere clean and healthy but the mature trees also add to local humidity through transpiration (the process by which plants release water through their leaves) and thus ensure rainfall. In the water cycle, moisture evaporates into the atmosphere forming rain clouds before being precipitated as rain that falls onto the forests again. The forests, therefore, play a vital role in regulating regional climate by providing the base for continuity of the water cycles.
The keen interest shown by the conscientious cities dwellers particularly by inviting attention of apex court for stopping the pillage of the Muree hills forests and Lahore Canal trees is inestimable. However, imagine the predicament of the vast tracts of forests in the countryside that have suffered devastation at the hands of ruthless ``humans``.
Not very long ago, the both banks of river Indus in Sindh had thick forests spread over right from Kashmore to Karachi. These forests were not only our main source of monsoon rain but also served as a safety valve against the annual floods beyond protective dykes. The fertility of soil in these forests was proverbial; it provided livelihood to millions having their permanent abode there. These woodlands were sanctuaries of a variety of wild life, flora and fauna, and a great source of livestock pastures. With the passage of time these forests have been completely destroyed by the influential lands lords who got these virgin lands leased to their family members on government rates for Katcha in perpetuity. The forest department whose primary function is to protect these natural woodlands either remained a silent spectator or collaborated with the predators in their campaign of deforestation. Look at the state of affairs now that from Kashmor to Karachi, we have no trees except small patches of shrubbery not worth mentioning. The invaluable lands are now in the possession of influential as ``Ketties`` in their names. -DR. ALI AKBAR M. DHKAN, Karachi, via e-mail, July 17.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 21, 2006 12:51 pm
Garden of Pakistan got looted by our money hungry internal enemies and white collared dacoits and naked cities, barren mountains and empty landscapes are telling the story. If this pattern prevails, then in coming years we will find ourselves in a complete mess, and our basic existence will become difficult due to lack of greenery,noise and air pollution etc.
I quote a powerful letter by a concerned and civilized citizen of Pakistan and this letter got published in the daily Nation of july 21,2006.
This letter will bring tremendous awareness for our esteemed readers.
Depleting forests of Indus
A tree is the nature`s gift for mankind. Not only do trees keep the atmosphere clean and healthy but the mature trees also add to local humidity through transpiration (the process by which plants release water through their leaves) and thus ensure rainfall. In the water cycle, moisture evaporates into the atmosphere forming rain clouds before being precipitated as rain that falls onto the forests again. The forests, therefore, play a vital role in regulating regional climate by providing the base for continuity of the water cycles.
The keen interest shown by the conscientious cities dwellers particularly by inviting attention of apex court for stopping the pillage of the Muree hills forests and Lahore Canal trees is inestimable. However, imagine the predicament of the vast tracts of forests in the countryside that have suffered devastation at the hands of ruthless ``humans``.
Not very long ago, the both banks of river Indus in Sindh had thick forests spread over right from Kashmore to Karachi. These forests were not only our main source of monsoon rain but also served as a safety valve against the annual floods beyond protective dykes. The fertility of soil in these forests was proverbial; it provided livelihood to millions having their permanent abode there. These woodlands were sanctuaries of a variety of wild life, flora and fauna, and a great source of livestock pastures. With the passage of time these forests have been completely destroyed by the influential lands lords who got these virgin lands leased to their family members on government rates for Katcha in perpetuity. The forest department whose primary function is to protect these natural woodlands either remained a silent spectator or collaborated with the predators in their campaign of deforestation. Look at the state of affairs now that from Kashmor to Karachi, we have no trees except small patches of shrubbery not worth mentioning. The invaluable lands are now in the possession of influential as ``Ketties`` in their names. -DR. ALI AKBAR M. DHKAN, Karachi, via e-mail, July 17.
Mumbai Rocked by Seven Bomb Blasts
Blackmailers and bullies must be told that they are basically enemies of peace, beauty and harmony on this earth.
Why can`t all children of this earth live peacefully in Kashmir, and why can`t rule of law prevail there rather than hegemony of a single group.
Various ``qabza groups``, bullies and land mafias have their eyes on the innocent valley of Kashmir.
Vale of Kashmir is burning, its centuries old priceless structures are burning to ashes, blood is flowing every where.
Evil and selfish spirits want to grab and destroy the beauty of this sparrow,this bird of heaven, known as Kashmir, which God made, to make kings happy.
Kashmir is a world heritage, it must be liberated from all bullies and peace loving people must be able to pay homage to its eternal beauty and grandeur.
O my vale, O my dale of Kashmir you are burning, you are bleeding, but never forget that hearts bleed for you too, and we are helpless, and although we won`t to able to see each others face in this life time, and we will keep on raising moans and cries for you, until we die.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 20, 2006 05:51 pm
This kind of vicious and indiscriminate attacks on humanity shall never be accepted.Blackmailers and bullies must be told that they are basically enemies of peace, beauty and harmony on this earth.
Why can`t all children of this earth live peacefully in Kashmir, and why can`t rule of law prevail there rather than hegemony of a single group.
Various ``qabza groups``, bullies and land mafias have their eyes on the innocent valley of Kashmir.
Vale of Kashmir is burning, its centuries old priceless structures are burning to ashes, blood is flowing every where.
Evil and selfish spirits want to grab and destroy the beauty of this sparrow,this bird of heaven, known as Kashmir, which God made, to make kings happy.
Kashmir is a world heritage, it must be liberated from all bullies and peace loving people must be able to pay homage to its eternal beauty and grandeur.
O my vale, O my dale of Kashmir you are burning, you are bleeding, but never forget that hearts bleed for you too, and we are helpless, and although we won`t to able to see each others face in this life time, and we will keep on raising moans and cries for you, until we die.
A City of Gardens
nicely written,
very profound and eye opening for those who have healthy souls and deep love and regard for their historic region.
Nadeem Akram please write more like this.Thank you.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 19, 2006 02:07 pm
A powerful article, nicely written,
very profound and eye opening for those who have healthy souls and deep love and regard for their historic region.
Nadeem Akram please write more like this.Thank you.
Foreigner in My Land
The main point is that Shah Ji started a non profit society or an NGO and he built his life just like our other heroes did.
Our heroes, who once were raising slogans in Moscow, but now living in posh and comfy flats of Islamabad, lahore and Karachi, running their own NGOs.
Shah Ji writes: `` I was totally broke now.`` and when his proposal got accepted and he got donations from donors then he tells us that how he ``established`` himself, and how he got his ``jannah`` his paradise in this world and he had pillows behind him and he was reclining and had servants working for him, he writes:
`` In 6 months time, I had a million rupee plus business. My apartment was totally renovated and I had 4 people working for me in the house. Cooking for me, cleaning - providing security. I never bought a car. I had my own personal taxi driver who had customized the car for me. On call 24 hours, he worked ONLY for me. I bought all my staff cell phones and had a special number on the landline for me apart from two other cell numbers``
Shah ji could have started his peeri mureedi business in fertile Sind or Punjab, or Shah Ji could have contested for elections under the benign shadow of military developers and could have ``served`` his country men, but he prefered to be his own boss and started audit free and fashionable NGO business.
NGO businesses are booming now a days, and role models and heroes like Ali Asghar Khan chose lucrative fields of women rights and environmental protection by using the name of Omar Asghar Khan development foundation, but at the same time cut down centuries old trees and build a commercial plaza at the residence of Omar, violating all norms of common sense or laws.
Centuries old mature evergreen wild olive trees got chopped down in the historic graveyards on Nathiagali road near Abbottabad, which were mentioned in Mughal books...
Centuries old mature shade trees got chopped down in sizzling Mianwali, but environmental NGOs couldn`t share their multi million dollar funds with those money hungry tree murderers.
Donors like UNEP couldn`t purchase those trees by giving few million rupees to those tree murderers, as all funds were going to people like Shah ji while they were busy developing their country.
There are lot of tricks and hints, which Shah ji`s brilliant article is giving to simple minded Pakistanis.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 19, 2006 01:46 pm
Most of the interactors couldn`t get the main point of this article.The main point is that Shah Ji started a non profit society or an NGO and he built his life just like our other heroes did.
Our heroes, who once were raising slogans in Moscow, but now living in posh and comfy flats of Islamabad, lahore and Karachi, running their own NGOs.
Shah Ji writes: `` I was totally broke now.`` and when his proposal got accepted and he got donations from donors then he tells us that how he ``established`` himself, and how he got his ``jannah`` his paradise in this world and he had pillows behind him and he was reclining and had servants working for him, he writes:
`` In 6 months time, I had a million rupee plus business. My apartment was totally renovated and I had 4 people working for me in the house. Cooking for me, cleaning - providing security. I never bought a car. I had my own personal taxi driver who had customized the car for me. On call 24 hours, he worked ONLY for me. I bought all my staff cell phones and had a special number on the landline for me apart from two other cell numbers``
Shah ji could have started his peeri mureedi business in fertile Sind or Punjab, or Shah Ji could have contested for elections under the benign shadow of military developers and could have ``served`` his country men, but he prefered to be his own boss and started audit free and fashionable NGO business.
NGO businesses are booming now a days, and role models and heroes like Ali Asghar Khan chose lucrative fields of women rights and environmental protection by using the name of Omar Asghar Khan development foundation, but at the same time cut down centuries old trees and build a commercial plaza at the residence of Omar, violating all norms of common sense or laws.
Centuries old mature evergreen wild olive trees got chopped down in the historic graveyards on Nathiagali road near Abbottabad, which were mentioned in Mughal books...
Centuries old mature shade trees got chopped down in sizzling Mianwali, but environmental NGOs couldn`t share their multi million dollar funds with those money hungry tree murderers.
Donors like UNEP couldn`t purchase those trees by giving few million rupees to those tree murderers, as all funds were going to people like Shah ji while they were busy developing their country.
There are lot of tricks and hints, which Shah ji`s brilliant article is giving to simple minded Pakistanis.
Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi Passed Away
His memories will always reverberate in the corridors of literary world, and he will always stay alive in human hearts.
Let us remember him through his following verse:
gul teraa rang churaa laaye hain gulzaaron mein
gul teraa rang churaa laaye hain gulzaaron mein
jal rahaa huun bhari barasaat ki buchhaaron mein
mujh se kataraa ke nikal jaa magar ai jaan-e-hayaa
dil ki lau dekh rahaa hun tere rukhasaaron mein
husn-e-begaanaa-e-ehasaas-e-jamaal achchaa hai
Gunche khilate hain to bik jaate hain baazaaron mein
zikr karate hain teraa mujh se bay unavaan-e-jafaa
chaaraagar phuul piro laaye hain talvaaron mein
zakhm chhup sakate hain lekin mujhe fan ki saugaundh
Gam ki daulat bhi hai shaamil mere shaahakaaron mein
mujh ko nafarat se nahiin pyaar se masluub karo
main to shaamil huun mohabbat ke gunah gaaron mein
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 11, 2006 01:44 pm
Ahmed Nadeem Qasimi sahib was a night-in-gale, a ``bulbul`` of Pakistan.His memories will always reverberate in the corridors of literary world, and he will always stay alive in human hearts.
Let us remember him through his following verse:
gul teraa rang churaa laaye hain gulzaaron mein
gul teraa rang churaa laaye hain gulzaaron mein
jal rahaa huun bhari barasaat ki buchhaaron mein
mujh se kataraa ke nikal jaa magar ai jaan-e-hayaa
dil ki lau dekh rahaa hun tere rukhasaaron mein
husn-e-begaanaa-e-ehasaas-e-jamaal achchaa hai
Gunche khilate hain to bik jaate hain baazaaron mein
zikr karate hain teraa mujh se bay unavaan-e-jafaa
chaaraagar phuul piro laaye hain talvaaron mein
zakhm chhup sakate hain lekin mujhe fan ki saugaundh
Gam ki daulat bhi hai shaamil mere shaahakaaron mein
mujh ko nafarat se nahiin pyaar se masluub karo
main to shaamil huun mohabbat ke gunah gaaron mein
Darakhat Bachao, Lahore Bachao
We have no threat from India, as we don`t want to live with them and they cannot impose any thing on us, but we do have threat from enemies within, who are present in every assembly and every office and who will give billions of rupees `irreversible` damage to Pakistan for their personal gains of few thousand rupees.
How come ``hazar service`` working government employees and soldiers became contractors, developers etc...what is the concept of conflict of interest.
Cantt Executive officer of Abbottabad had a phoney kind of construction company in his pocket and he made an offer to the church`s president to build shops around the lush green lawns of Saint Luke`s church and he also wanted to build a play land in the lady garden through that personal phoney company.
When confronted, he blamed soldiers by saying that if they don`t get plots in DHAs, worth crores(millions) of rupees then they would never had joined Armed forces.
According to him if soldiers could grab power in Pakistan, then the same yard stick allowed him to ``develop`` parks of cantonments like Abbottabad through his personal phoney construction company.
It was shocking to know that the company which has been trying to grab and ``develop`` doongi grounds of Lahore is operated by a ``hazar service`` serving deputy secretary of the Punjab government.
This is what daily Dawn reported on July 05, 2006.
Our Correspondent
LAHORE, July 4: A full bench of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday allowed PPP leader Syed Iqbal Haider and journalists Ardshir Cowasjee and Ayaz Amir to be impleaded as party to a writ petition challenging the Punjab government’s project of building a high-rise shopping arcade and a modern cinema complex at Doongi ground on the M. M. Alam Road, Gulberg II, by a public sector undertaking, the Punjab Entertainment Company.
The Punjab government has submitted its parawise comment in the hearing of two intra-court appeals and as many writ petitions which will now be taken up on Thursday along with an objection petition which the full bench allowed to be filed on the plea of the petitioner’s counsel Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Mohammad Azhar.
Also the secretary-general of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and a practicing lawyer, Syed Iqbal Haider, and the two senior columnists moved the LHC with the plea that they be allowed to be added to the list of the petitioners in the writ petition filed by a Karachi-based NGO,— Shehri-CBE (Citizens for Better Environment) -– and certain residents of Gulberg.
Comprising Justice Syed Sakhi Husain Bokhari, Justice Mohammad Bilal Khan and Justice Fazale Miran Chauhan, the bench is seized with two intra-court appeals, submitted by the Punjab government and the Punjab Entertainment Company, and as many writ petitions which challenged the vires of establishing a commercial venture in the public sector and the transparency in transferring land and public money to the company.
The court granted the petitioner counsel’s request of hearing his pleas that Justice Mohammad Sayeed Akhtar, who granted stay against the project, should have been included on the bench and one of its members, who vacated the stay after expressing a certain opinion in the case, should not have been part of the bench. Syed Mansoor Ali Shah submitted that the petitioners moved the pleas but were returned by the registrar office declaring them non-maintainable. He submitted that it was the court and not the registrar to decide if a petition was maintainable or not.
The LHC full bench also deferred till the next date of hearing an application of the Punjab Entertainment Company that it be allowed to complete the construction of the structure because they feared an irreparable loss in the rainy season.
The secretary of the company, who is also a deputy secretary in the information, sports and youth division, had stated earlier in the case that the cost of the cinema complex alone was around Rs230 million.
He stated that the company had, under a contract, agreed to pay about $3 million to the Canadian firm for installing its IMAX Theatre and also for transferring technology. The contract amount, according to the secretary, was to be paid in four installments of $756,260 each every three months.
On a court question, the secretary submitted that the site plan of the project was yet to be approved by the LDA. The company, he submitted, was yet to acquire the services of an architect to develop a site plan.
He also stated in reply to another court question that the company had also not invited tenders to carry out work on the project. He submitted that the construction of the shopping arcade was the responsibility of the Punjab PWD which was thinking in terms of floating bids. To another question, he submitted that the price of the ticket for the IMAX theatre was to be very high because a similar theatre in Karachi was charging about Rs500.
The petitions called into question the transfer of the land of Doongi ground from the LDA to the PHA and then to the Punjab Entertainment Company submitting that the whole process was flawed and was done in flagrant violation of the law. The transfer was ordered by the chief minister, who was not legally competent to issue such orders.
The petition also challenged the legality of the Punjab Entertainment Company, saying it was a public sector company set up for commercial purposes which the 1973 Constitution did not envisage. It submitted that the Constitution provided that the federal and provincial governments could launch public welfare projects and could not enter in the commercial or trading ventures for profit as a public sector undertaking. He submitted that billions of rupees of the public exchequer were involved in the project and the company had already spent millions only on digging the ground. The money was officially released to the company in violation of the law, the petition added.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 10, 2006 05:12 pm
Congratulations!! but this is just a biggining of the war,.... a war to save Pakistan from internal enemies.We have no threat from India, as we don`t want to live with them and they cannot impose any thing on us, but we do have threat from enemies within, who are present in every assembly and every office and who will give billions of rupees `irreversible` damage to Pakistan for their personal gains of few thousand rupees.
How come ``hazar service`` working government employees and soldiers became contractors, developers etc...what is the concept of conflict of interest.
Cantt Executive officer of Abbottabad had a phoney kind of construction company in his pocket and he made an offer to the church`s president to build shops around the lush green lawns of Saint Luke`s church and he also wanted to build a play land in the lady garden through that personal phoney company.
When confronted, he blamed soldiers by saying that if they don`t get plots in DHAs, worth crores(millions) of rupees then they would never had joined Armed forces.
According to him if soldiers could grab power in Pakistan, then the same yard stick allowed him to ``develop`` parks of cantonments like Abbottabad through his personal phoney construction company.
It was shocking to know that the company which has been trying to grab and ``develop`` doongi grounds of Lahore is operated by a ``hazar service`` serving deputy secretary of the Punjab government.
This is what daily Dawn reported on July 05, 2006.
Our Correspondent
LAHORE, July 4: A full bench of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday allowed PPP leader Syed Iqbal Haider and journalists Ardshir Cowasjee and Ayaz Amir to be impleaded as party to a writ petition challenging the Punjab government’s project of building a high-rise shopping arcade and a modern cinema complex at Doongi ground on the M. M. Alam Road, Gulberg II, by a public sector undertaking, the Punjab Entertainment Company.
The Punjab government has submitted its parawise comment in the hearing of two intra-court appeals and as many writ petitions which will now be taken up on Thursday along with an objection petition which the full bench allowed to be filed on the plea of the petitioner’s counsel Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Mohammad Azhar.
Also the secretary-general of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and a practicing lawyer, Syed Iqbal Haider, and the two senior columnists moved the LHC with the plea that they be allowed to be added to the list of the petitioners in the writ petition filed by a Karachi-based NGO,— Shehri-CBE (Citizens for Better Environment) -– and certain residents of Gulberg.
Comprising Justice Syed Sakhi Husain Bokhari, Justice Mohammad Bilal Khan and Justice Fazale Miran Chauhan, the bench is seized with two intra-court appeals, submitted by the Punjab government and the Punjab Entertainment Company, and as many writ petitions which challenged the vires of establishing a commercial venture in the public sector and the transparency in transferring land and public money to the company.
The court granted the petitioner counsel’s request of hearing his pleas that Justice Mohammad Sayeed Akhtar, who granted stay against the project, should have been included on the bench and one of its members, who vacated the stay after expressing a certain opinion in the case, should not have been part of the bench. Syed Mansoor Ali Shah submitted that the petitioners moved the pleas but were returned by the registrar office declaring them non-maintainable. He submitted that it was the court and not the registrar to decide if a petition was maintainable or not.
The LHC full bench also deferred till the next date of hearing an application of the Punjab Entertainment Company that it be allowed to complete the construction of the structure because they feared an irreparable loss in the rainy season.
The secretary of the company, who is also a deputy secretary in the information, sports and youth division, had stated earlier in the case that the cost of the cinema complex alone was around Rs230 million.
He stated that the company had, under a contract, agreed to pay about $3 million to the Canadian firm for installing its IMAX Theatre and also for transferring technology. The contract amount, according to the secretary, was to be paid in four installments of $756,260 each every three months.
On a court question, the secretary submitted that the site plan of the project was yet to be approved by the LDA. The company, he submitted, was yet to acquire the services of an architect to develop a site plan.
He also stated in reply to another court question that the company had also not invited tenders to carry out work on the project. He submitted that the construction of the shopping arcade was the responsibility of the Punjab PWD which was thinking in terms of floating bids. To another question, he submitted that the price of the ticket for the IMAX theatre was to be very high because a similar theatre in Karachi was charging about Rs500.
The petitions called into question the transfer of the land of Doongi ground from the LDA to the PHA and then to the Punjab Entertainment Company submitting that the whole process was flawed and was done in flagrant violation of the law. The transfer was ordered by the chief minister, who was not legally competent to issue such orders.
The petition also challenged the legality of the Punjab Entertainment Company, saying it was a public sector company set up for commercial purposes which the 1973 Constitution did not envisage. It submitted that the Constitution provided that the federal and provincial governments could launch public welfare projects and could not enter in the commercial or trading ventures for profit as a public sector undertaking. He submitted that billions of rupees of the public exchequer were involved in the project and the company had already spent millions only on digging the ground. The money was officially released to the company in violation of the law, the petition added.
Darakhat Bachao, Lahore Bachao
Pakistan full of trees, public parks, green belts fell in the laps of those who never planted any tree with their own hands and who don`t know how to make a sapling survive or grow succesfully in busy urban settings.
The question is not about if we need to cut euclaptus trees and to replace them with some other species, real issue is to stop selfish commission/bribe ``developers`` mafia from encroaching upon a green belt of the heart of Pakistan known as Lahore.
Hell with the cars and ugly faces of SELFISH developers in the sizzling months of june and july, and when population of Lahore will become double in next few decades then we will expand roads further and eventually no green belt will be left at all in Pakistan.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 7, 2006 02:24 pm
Worst part of Pakistanis and Indians is that they discourage each other due to their own insecurities and low self esteems. Pakistan full of trees, public parks, green belts fell in the laps of those who never planted any tree with their own hands and who don`t know how to make a sapling survive or grow succesfully in busy urban settings.
The question is not about if we need to cut euclaptus trees and to replace them with some other species, real issue is to stop selfish commission/bribe ``developers`` mafia from encroaching upon a green belt of the heart of Pakistan known as Lahore.
Hell with the cars and ugly faces of SELFISH developers in the sizzling months of june and july, and when population of Lahore will become double in next few decades then we will expand roads further and eventually no green belt will be left at all in Pakistan.
Darakhat Bachao, Lahore Bachao
Worst part of Pakistanis and Indians is that they discourage each other due to their own insecurities and low self esteems.
Pakistan full of trees, public parks, green belts fell in the laps of those who never planted any tree with their own hands and who don`t know how to make a sapling survive or grow succesfully in busy urban settings.
The question is not about if we need to cut euclaptus trees and to replace them with some other species, real issue is to stop selfish commission/bribe ``developers`` mafia from encroaching upon a green belt of the heart of Pakistan known as Lahore.
Hell with the cars and ugly faces of SELFISH developers in the sizzling months of june and july, and when population of Lahore will become double in next few decades then we will expand roads further and eventually no green belt will be left at all in Pakistan.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 7, 2006 02:19 pm
Re: # 40Worst part of Pakistanis and Indians is that they discourage each other due to their own insecurities and low self esteems.
Pakistan full of trees, public parks, green belts fell in the laps of those who never planted any tree with their own hands and who don`t know how to make a sapling survive or grow succesfully in busy urban settings.
The question is not about if we need to cut euclaptus trees and to replace them with some other species, real issue is to stop selfish commission/bribe ``developers`` mafia from encroaching upon a green belt of the heart of Pakistan known as Lahore.
Hell with the cars and ugly faces of SELFISH developers in the sizzling months of june and july, and when population of Lahore will become double in next few decades then we will expand roads further and eventually no green belt will be left at all in Pakistan.
Darakhat Bachao, Lahore Bachao
I believe that you people have started the most important war, and that is the war to save Pakistan from internal termites and so called care takers.
You must continue this struggle and noble mission and please call it as `` darkht Bachao, Pakistan Bachao`` tehreek or movement.
From Chitral, Gilgit to Karachi every tree, every free lying green space and park is under attack by these vultures.
Places like Gilgit, Chitral Abbottabad are easy loots, as there are no groups or powerful resistors like we have in Lahore and Karachi.
Please try to recognise true hands behind such projects, who are the main players behind the acenes.
Most of our ministers or rulers can`t even write a correct sentence or paragraph in English, can they read or understand complex government rules or regulations..?? no way ..then who are the main players behind the scenes??
Main players are corrupt government Engineers and secretaries who are desperate and dying for their upto 50 percent of commission or bribe from such projects.
They are the one who prepare projects, reports and budgets and our weak politicians put their thumb impressions on such reports in order to save their faces.
It is true that some of the members of assemblies and their family members are government contractors, but corrupt government officers of C&W , TMA , TEPA ,MES, PEPA etc. etc. are the main players of this great scheme of organised and ``legal`` lootings and tree butcherings all over the Pakistan.
These experts of government, take advantage of the political instability and uncertainty of the country and they work like a mafia, who is expert in consuming and digesting budget of billions before next june the 30th.
We do have honest Engineers and bureaucrats as well and they must work together to expose and fight against internal traitors and enemies of Pakistan.
We couldn`t even imagine that any tree on the canal road of Lahore or the mall roads of Rawalpindi or Lahore will even be touched by some evil spirit.
When there are two lane underpasses on the canal road then three or four lanes will for sure create more blockage and chaos but expert looters would have left the scene by then, after pocketing their commissions and bribes.
Despite traffic problems, no where in the world we have noticed government Engineers to encroach upon green belts and destroy trees and habitats of poor humans and birds etc.
I request all readers to read following articles about the slow death of the most beautiful hill station of the subcontinent , which is known as Abbottabad and extend help to places like Chitral, Gilgit and Abbottabad as well.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 3, 2006 04:31 pm
Dear Ahmed Rafay Alam and other nature loversI believe that you people have started the most important war, and that is the war to save Pakistan from internal termites and so called care takers.
You must continue this struggle and noble mission and please call it as `` darkht Bachao, Pakistan Bachao`` tehreek or movement.
From Chitral, Gilgit to Karachi every tree, every free lying green space and park is under attack by these vultures.
Places like Gilgit, Chitral Abbottabad are easy loots, as there are no groups or powerful resistors like we have in Lahore and Karachi.
Please try to recognise true hands behind such projects, who are the main players behind the acenes.
Most of our ministers or rulers can`t even write a correct sentence or paragraph in English, can they read or understand complex government rules or regulations..?? no way ..then who are the main players behind the scenes??
Main players are corrupt government Engineers and secretaries who are desperate and dying for their upto 50 percent of commission or bribe from such projects.
They are the one who prepare projects, reports and budgets and our weak politicians put their thumb impressions on such reports in order to save their faces.
It is true that some of the members of assemblies and their family members are government contractors, but corrupt government officers of C&W , TMA , TEPA ,MES, PEPA etc. etc. are the main players of this great scheme of organised and ``legal`` lootings and tree butcherings all over the Pakistan.
These experts of government, take advantage of the political instability and uncertainty of the country and they work like a mafia, who is expert in consuming and digesting budget of billions before next june the 30th.
We do have honest Engineers and bureaucrats as well and they must work together to expose and fight against internal traitors and enemies of Pakistan.
We couldn`t even imagine that any tree on the canal road of Lahore or the mall roads of Rawalpindi or Lahore will even be touched by some evil spirit.
When there are two lane underpasses on the canal road then three or four lanes will for sure create more blockage and chaos but expert looters would have left the scene by then, after pocketing their commissions and bribes.
Despite traffic problems, no where in the world we have noticed government Engineers to encroach upon green belts and destroy trees and habitats of poor humans and birds etc.
I request all readers to read following articles about the slow death of the most beautiful hill station of the subcontinent , which is known as Abbottabad and extend help to places like Chitral, Gilgit and Abbottabad as well.
Darakhat Bachao, Lahore Bachao
Situated at the foothills of Himalayas world famous hill station Abbottabad is 110 KMs north of Islamabad and Located at the height of 4100 feet above sea level.
Abbottabad came into being in 1853 AD, as a summer resort and training camp for the Northern command of Army.
It was named after the founder and the first deputy commissioner, Major James Abbott.
Abbottabad is nestled in lush green rolling hills and amidst scorching heat of plains, it offered crisp and cool mountain air along with the views of thickly forested mountains. and snow clad peaks of Northern Pakistan.
Unique combination of average 250 sunny days a year, 4100 feet altitude, latitude, proper rainfall and extremely fertile soil conditions made it possible to grow trees and shrubs of European and Himalayan origin and some species of trees and flowers were brought from Kashmir also.
During British rule, highly trained and competent people developed gardens and green belts of Abbottabad and local craftsmen built this town and touched heights of architectural refinement and skillfulness.
Beautifully grained local stone was used aesthetically in the construction of environmentally friendly buildings and hammer dressed stones were used even in the roadside drains.
Abbottabad had avenues and groves, which contained magnificent trees of Horse chestnuts, Himalayan and Lebanese cedars, Pines, Chinars (maple), Fragrant Camphor, Elm, Ash, Mahogany, Walnut and various other species of trees and shrubs of Alpine nature.
Breath taking scenery, fragrant breeze,beautifully blended stone buildings, majestic trees, shrubs and flowers from all over the world gave birth to a glory which became famous all over the world by the name of Abbottabad.
In the past,cantonment administration and Pakistan Army managed to conserve green areas, but now grabbing of green belts and public places, unplanned expansions and haphazard concrete constructions have seriously damaged the heritage of this unmatchable town.
Most of the mature trees and shrubs disappeared permanently and various species of wild birds are becoming homeless as green belts and trees of Abbottabad are disappearing very fast.
There is a lack of commitment at the national level and environmental and heritage preservation laws are not being up-dated or implemented properly.
Moreover cantonment and municipal by-laws are either ignored or violated and constructions are being allowed even on the pine-covered hills, green belts and natural drainage areas.
Year of 1976 AD was the last time when cantonment and municipal bye-laws were published,up-dated or made available for the general public.
As it is visible in the attached 2005 overview of Abbottabad that urban sprawl has reached beyond the capacity of this small town and very few old mature trees and green belts are left in the town.
If present conditions prevail, then in coming years, uncontrolled flood of buildings will eat away remaining trees of the town and surrounding hills.
Unfortunately during the last decade, in collusion with the government officials,unskilled and especially corrupt contractors have ransacked heritage buildings, gardens and green belts of Abbottabad.
Three quarters of the legally demarcated company bagh or municipal garden has been grabbed and ``developed`` with sub standard concrete and plans are being made to develop remaining portions also.
Centuries old lay out and land scape of lady garden ( cantonment park) and surrounding areas have been destroyed, and sub standard cemented walls have replaced ever green hedges, pavilions demolished, stone masonry and antique iron gates with climbing roses disappeared...
Heavy constructions and pouring of concrete around mature exotic trees have put them under great stress and die back process of the leftovers of centuries old trees has already been started.
In Abbottabad we are also losing our environmentally friendly antique buildings at an alarming rate.
We are afraid that if we fail to take immediate action, then we are going to lose remaining traces of the antiquity and originality of the town.
Due to un-planned slums and destruction of old trees, once very green and clean Abbottabad is now at the verge of environmental catastrophe.
Fresh water and fish filled neighboring streams of Abbottabad are now filled with human waste and plastic shopping bags.
Government departments are working in a way that there is no concept of preserving old trees and heritage buildings.
These departments get huge developmental money, and in order to spend that money, some old historical buildings have to be demolished every year.
During reconstruction process, unskilled contractors build sub standard ugly buildings and chop down mature old trees ruthlessly; they also fail to plant new trees.
Masterpieces of stone masonry and solidly built historical and architectural heritage have been lost along with massive trees of fragrant camphor,Lebanese Cedars, pines, Chestnuts, Oaks, Mahogany and maples etc.
It has been observed that some long term contractors cum developers have their eyes on every free lying open green space of Abbottabad, and they have plans to grab and build commercial buildings over there.
Such ``developers`` are involved in lobbying and bribing government officers as well.
There are so many ``developmental`` plans in the pipe line, which will forever seal the fate of this small and fragile town, few cases are highlighted here, for the attention of our esteemed readers.
1- ``Mohafiz khana`` or land record room contained centuries of hard work, hand written records, books, government maps, antiques and last year, it got burnt to ashes under mysterious circumstances??
The News international reported the incident, here is the link.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jun2005-daily/07-06-2005/metro/p3.htm
Abbottabad was beautiful, because of such stone buildings with sloping roofs, mountain architecture and majestic local and exotic trees, which were planted in an organized manner.
2- 4000 kanals of Shimla mountain top along with its pine forest belong to the federal government and despite supreme court rulings, it has recently been leased off by TMA Abbottabad for commercial purposes.(shimla hill is visible in 1982 overview of Abbottabad)
The News international reported about it in national news section of September 09, 2005, here is the link:
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/sep2005-daily/29-09-2005/national/n7.htm
3- For the last fifteen years, ``developers`` have been dumping building waste in the lush green natural drainage areas along the pine view road. These Cantonment contractors are now planning to build a commercial plazas in these newly filled natural drainage areas. It may please be noted that according to Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1997, dumping of waste and construction in natural drainage areas is illegal.
4- Some people have deliberately damaged roots of centuries old fragrant camphor and pine trees, which were present in the cantonment especially in the area adjacent to Abbottabad club annexe. There is a plan of construction of a commercial plaza in this green area, which will result in the destruction of mature trees. Arrival of the mobs of customers and their vehicles will further damage and reduce remaining greenery and trees of the neighborhood.
5- The developer who got lease of the former Mona Lisa restaurant has converted it into a shopping center. After bull dozing and ruining the green area he is now expanding his commercial project and paving the green area in collusion with government officials??
6- There was a little children park adjacent to DIG, police office and across the Army Medical corps mess. Park contains mature mahogany, horse chestnut and pine trees. That park and some portion of the neighboring drainage area has recently been sold off by an influential person to an influential person??
7- Commercial project is also going to be constructed at the annexe of a historic residence of Omar Asghar Khan on Pine view road. Omar`s wife is against the demolition of Omar`s memories and chopping down of mature camphor trees but Air Marshall and Omar`s brother are pursuing the project.
Completion of this project will open doors for the flood of similar commercial projects in the neighboring residences of the cantonment.
It may please be noted that construction of commercial plazas in the residences of Abbottabad cantonment was banned by the government of Pakistan, Ministry of defence, vide letter no. 72/90/Lands/ML&C/88-G dated 24.5.1989
Please note that in Pakistan,fragrant camphor trees and Lebanese cedars are only found in the landscapes of historic government bungalows, parks and buildings of Abbottabad
8- Several centuries old mature trees fell recently in the former Palace hotel as district government offices are being expanded in the lawns of this historic building. Government contractor brought a huge machine and he not only removed those trees in one day and dug the whole area, but he injured neighboring trees as well.
9- Construction of Rescue 15 police station has been proposed inside the lower half of the Lady Garden. Rescue 15 can easily be placed at the cantonment fire station and workshop, which exists next to the proposed site and it has huge under utilized area, built infrastructure and six (6) large garages, which are presently filled with scrap.
10- Victoria Memorial High school (now Government High School No.1) was built in 1860 AD, various prominent personalities of Pakistan resided in the hostel and got education from the school. Luckily school is still standing in its original shape along with 150 years old records and trophies.Instead of renovation, a portion of this school is going to be demolished in near future. An architectural asset, magnificent old trees and centuries old masonry work will be gone with the old school
11- Historic Bungalows of Abbottabad were built in 19th century, and in the absence of any legal protection, they are going to be demolished as soon as the new funding will be made available by the government.
For example residence of civil surgeon located in the civil lines is going to be demolished immediately and a wonderful example of stone masonry , solidly built master piece of symmetry,harmony and history along with exotic trees are going to be lost forever.
12- Saint Luke`s church is the oldest Gothic building of Abbottabad. It’s centuries old landscape has recently been destroyed and the old lawns have been bull dozed.
13- ``Ilayasi Mosque`` is built on the water springs and marble was used in its construction.It is a landmark heritage of Abbottabad. Mosque committee made some major changes few years back, in which old fountain and centuries old Chinar (maple) trees had to go. Some people were using dynamite also in the area, which could have stopped natural flow of the spring water.Now the committee is again planning to expand the ‘madrassa`` of the mosque and along with the history, some more mature trees will have to go.
14- In order to generate local power, Power House of Abbottabad was built in 19th century. A portion of that Power House is still standing, which contains stone building, historical switchgear and transformers. Electrical construction authorities are now planning to get rid of this heritage. ?? Can we save it for the study of our Civil and Electrical Engineering students? ??
15- Various mature pine and chinar trees have recently been chopped down in the telephone exchange, which is located along the Pine View road. Pine view road hardly carries any pine tree now and various horse chestnut, mahogany and ash trees are dying there, due to the poison created by the dumped building waste ??
16- More over GTS bus stand workshop which was a part of legally demarcated company bagh and originally belonged to women`s community centre has recently been leased out by TMA for commercial plaza.
17- ``Developers`` and greedy influentials are buying cheap land and building and selling slums at the surrounding historic Sarban and Shimla mountains of Abbottabad.They are doing it with out any planning or regard for regulations. Bio-diversity including trees, shrubs and birds (like golden eagle, shikras and magpies) of these mountains are being destroyed.Authorities are requested to declare leftovers of green spots of the city and cantonment along with Shimla and Sarban mountains as PROTECTED AREAS.
It is requested that under Federal and Provincial Antiquities Acts, legal protection to be given to the remaining cultural, natural and architectural heritage of Abbottabad.
Leftovers of mature trees, green belts and pine-covered hills of Abbottabad also need to be mapped and given protection under various sections of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997.
We need establishment of national registry for heritage buildings, green belts,parks and historic trees of Pakistan on emergency basis.
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 3, 2006 04:26 pm
Emergency help needed for Vanishing Architectural Heritage and greenery of Abbottabad, PakistanSituated at the foothills of Himalayas world famous hill station Abbottabad is 110 KMs north of Islamabad and Located at the height of 4100 feet above sea level.
Abbottabad came into being in 1853 AD, as a summer resort and training camp for the Northern command of Army.
It was named after the founder and the first deputy commissioner, Major James Abbott.
Abbottabad is nestled in lush green rolling hills and amidst scorching heat of plains, it offered crisp and cool mountain air along with the views of thickly forested mountains. and snow clad peaks of Northern Pakistan.
Unique combination of average 250 sunny days a year, 4100 feet altitude, latitude, proper rainfall and extremely fertile soil conditions made it possible to grow trees and shrubs of European and Himalayan origin and some species of trees and flowers were brought from Kashmir also.
During British rule, highly trained and competent people developed gardens and green belts of Abbottabad and local craftsmen built this town and touched heights of architectural refinement and skillfulness.
Beautifully grained local stone was used aesthetically in the construction of environmentally friendly buildings and hammer dressed stones were used even in the roadside drains.
Abbottabad had avenues and groves, which contained magnificent trees of Horse chestnuts, Himalayan and Lebanese cedars, Pines, Chinars (maple), Fragrant Camphor, Elm, Ash, Mahogany, Walnut and various other species of trees and shrubs of Alpine nature.
Breath taking scenery, fragrant breeze,beautifully blended stone buildings, majestic trees, shrubs and flowers from all over the world gave birth to a glory which became famous all over the world by the name of Abbottabad.
In the past,cantonment administration and Pakistan Army managed to conserve green areas, but now grabbing of green belts and public places, unplanned expansions and haphazard concrete constructions have seriously damaged the heritage of this unmatchable town.
Most of the mature trees and shrubs disappeared permanently and various species of wild birds are becoming homeless as green belts and trees of Abbottabad are disappearing very fast.
There is a lack of commitment at the national level and environmental and heritage preservation laws are not being up-dated or implemented properly.
Moreover cantonment and municipal by-laws are either ignored or violated and constructions are being allowed even on the pine-covered hills, green belts and natural drainage areas.
Year of 1976 AD was the last time when cantonment and municipal bye-laws were published,up-dated or made available for the general public.
As it is visible in the attached 2005 overview of Abbottabad that urban sprawl has reached beyond the capacity of this small town and very few old mature trees and green belts are left in the town.
If present conditions prevail, then in coming years, uncontrolled flood of buildings will eat away remaining trees of the town and surrounding hills.
Unfortunately during the last decade, in collusion with the government officials,unskilled and especially corrupt contractors have ransacked heritage buildings, gardens and green belts of Abbottabad.
Three quarters of the legally demarcated company bagh or municipal garden has been grabbed and ``developed`` with sub standard concrete and plans are being made to develop remaining portions also.
Centuries old lay out and land scape of lady garden ( cantonment park) and surrounding areas have been destroyed, and sub standard cemented walls have replaced ever green hedges, pavilions demolished, stone masonry and antique iron gates with climbing roses disappeared...
Heavy constructions and pouring of concrete around mature exotic trees have put them under great stress and die back process of the leftovers of centuries old trees has already been started.
In Abbottabad we are also losing our environmentally friendly antique buildings at an alarming rate.
We are afraid that if we fail to take immediate action, then we are going to lose remaining traces of the antiquity and originality of the town.
Due to un-planned slums and destruction of old trees, once very green and clean Abbottabad is now at the verge of environmental catastrophe.
Fresh water and fish filled neighboring streams of Abbottabad are now filled with human waste and plastic shopping bags.
Government departments are working in a way that there is no concept of preserving old trees and heritage buildings.
These departments get huge developmental money, and in order to spend that money, some old historical buildings have to be demolished every year.
During reconstruction process, unskilled contractors build sub standard ugly buildings and chop down mature old trees ruthlessly; they also fail to plant new trees.
Masterpieces of stone masonry and solidly built historical and architectural heritage have been lost along with massive trees of fragrant camphor,Lebanese Cedars, pines, Chestnuts, Oaks, Mahogany and maples etc.
It has been observed that some long term contractors cum developers have their eyes on every free lying open green space of Abbottabad, and they have plans to grab and build commercial buildings over there.
Such ``developers`` are involved in lobbying and bribing government officers as well.
There are so many ``developmental`` plans in the pipe line, which will forever seal the fate of this small and fragile town, few cases are highlighted here, for the attention of our esteemed readers.
1- ``Mohafiz khana`` or land record room contained centuries of hard work, hand written records, books, government maps, antiques and last year, it got burnt to ashes under mysterious circumstances??
The News international reported the incident, here is the link.
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jun2005-daily/07-06-2005/metro/p3.htm
Abbottabad was beautiful, because of such stone buildings with sloping roofs, mountain architecture and majestic local and exotic trees, which were planted in an organized manner.
2- 4000 kanals of Shimla mountain top along with its pine forest belong to the federal government and despite supreme court rulings, it has recently been leased off by TMA Abbottabad for commercial purposes.(shimla hill is visible in 1982 overview of Abbottabad)
The News international reported about it in national news section of September 09, 2005, here is the link:
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/sep2005-daily/29-09-2005/national/n7.htm
3- For the last fifteen years, ``developers`` have been dumping building waste in the lush green natural drainage areas along the pine view road. These Cantonment contractors are now planning to build a commercial plazas in these newly filled natural drainage areas. It may please be noted that according to Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1997, dumping of waste and construction in natural drainage areas is illegal.
4- Some people have deliberately damaged roots of centuries old fragrant camphor and pine trees, which were present in the cantonment especially in the area adjacent to Abbottabad club annexe. There is a plan of construction of a commercial plaza in this green area, which will result in the destruction of mature trees. Arrival of the mobs of customers and their vehicles will further damage and reduce remaining greenery and trees of the neighborhood.
5- The developer who got lease of the former Mona Lisa restaurant has converted it into a shopping center. After bull dozing and ruining the green area he is now expanding his commercial project and paving the green area in collusion with government officials??
6- There was a little children park adjacent to DIG, police office and across the Army Medical corps mess. Park contains mature mahogany, horse chestnut and pine trees. That park and some portion of the neighboring drainage area has recently been sold off by an influential person to an influential person??
7- Commercial project is also going to be constructed at the annexe of a historic residence of Omar Asghar Khan on Pine view road. Omar`s wife is against the demolition of Omar`s memories and chopping down of mature camphor trees but Air Marshall and Omar`s brother are pursuing the project.
Completion of this project will open doors for the flood of similar commercial projects in the neighboring residences of the cantonment.
It may please be noted that construction of commercial plazas in the residences of Abbottabad cantonment was banned by the government of Pakistan, Ministry of defence, vide letter no. 72/90/Lands/ML&C/88-G dated 24.5.1989
Please note that in Pakistan,fragrant camphor trees and Lebanese cedars are only found in the landscapes of historic government bungalows, parks and buildings of Abbottabad
8- Several centuries old mature trees fell recently in the former Palace hotel as district government offices are being expanded in the lawns of this historic building. Government contractor brought a huge machine and he not only removed those trees in one day and dug the whole area, but he injured neighboring trees as well.
9- Construction of Rescue 15 police station has been proposed inside the lower half of the Lady Garden. Rescue 15 can easily be placed at the cantonment fire station and workshop, which exists next to the proposed site and it has huge under utilized area, built infrastructure and six (6) large garages, which are presently filled with scrap.
10- Victoria Memorial High school (now Government High School No.1) was built in 1860 AD, various prominent personalities of Pakistan resided in the hostel and got education from the school. Luckily school is still standing in its original shape along with 150 years old records and trophies.Instead of renovation, a portion of this school is going to be demolished in near future. An architectural asset, magnificent old trees and centuries old masonry work will be gone with the old school
11- Historic Bungalows of Abbottabad were built in 19th century, and in the absence of any legal protection, they are going to be demolished as soon as the new funding will be made available by the government.
For example residence of civil surgeon located in the civil lines is going to be demolished immediately and a wonderful example of stone masonry , solidly built master piece of symmetry,harmony and history along with exotic trees are going to be lost forever.
12- Saint Luke`s church is the oldest Gothic building of Abbottabad. It’s centuries old landscape has recently been destroyed and the old lawns have been bull dozed.
13- ``Ilayasi Mosque`` is built on the water springs and marble was used in its construction.It is a landmark heritage of Abbottabad. Mosque committee made some major changes few years back, in which old fountain and centuries old Chinar (maple) trees had to go. Some people were using dynamite also in the area, which could have stopped natural flow of the spring water.Now the committee is again planning to expand the ‘madrassa`` of the mosque and along with the history, some more mature trees will have to go.
14- In order to generate local power, Power House of Abbottabad was built in 19th century. A portion of that Power House is still standing, which contains stone building, historical switchgear and transformers. Electrical construction authorities are now planning to get rid of this heritage. ?? Can we save it for the study of our Civil and Electrical Engineering students? ??
15- Various mature pine and chinar trees have recently been chopped down in the telephone exchange, which is located along the Pine View road. Pine view road hardly carries any pine tree now and various horse chestnut, mahogany and ash trees are dying there, due to the poison created by the dumped building waste ??
16- More over GTS bus stand workshop which was a part of legally demarcated company bagh and originally belonged to women`s community centre has recently been leased out by TMA for commercial plaza.
17- ``Developers`` and greedy influentials are buying cheap land and building and selling slums at the surrounding historic Sarban and Shimla mountains of Abbottabad.They are doing it with out any planning or regard for regulations. Bio-diversity including trees, shrubs and birds (like golden eagle, shikras and magpies) of these mountains are being destroyed.Authorities are requested to declare leftovers of green spots of the city and cantonment along with Shimla and Sarban mountains as PROTECTED AREAS.
It is requested that under Federal and Provincial Antiquities Acts, legal protection to be given to the remaining cultural, natural and architectural heritage of Abbottabad.
Leftovers of mature trees, green belts and pine-covered hills of Abbottabad also need to be mapped and given protection under various sections of Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997.
We need establishment of national registry for heritage buildings, green belts,parks and historic trees of Pakistan on emergency basis.
Darakhat Bachao, Lahore Bachao
Treatment of a fragile hill station at our hands
During looting and destruction of Abbottabad by government authorities, 150 years old chinar and pine trees were chopped down and later on remaining trees also died due to damage caused to their roots.
If we look at the present day historic lady garden then one can notice Lebanese cedars on both sides and we should keep this in our mind that Lebanese cedars of Abbottabad can be presented as the healthiest and the most beautiful examples of this tree which is mentioned in religious books and which is about to be declared as endangered by UNESCO.
Unfortunately we lost some of our mature Lebanese cedars, Himalayan pines and Kashmiri chinars due to abuse, soil compaction and damage to roots etc. and remaining trees are also showing signs of die back and ill health.
Forest officers of Abbottabad have no passion or time for such things and gardeners cum contractors of cantt board and municipal committee, unfortunately even don,t know that they are mature world class Lebanese cedars.
We are trying to learn the ( mulching and manuring ) techniques which were used to heal and preserve the Lebanese cedars of some of the stately areas of the UK.
Hazara is a grazing ground and like an orphan and we are losing our heritage buildings and trees at very fast pace and citizens are not encouraged to come forward and claim their heritage.
In certain countries, such 19th centuries antique structures of stone masonry are considered priceless, as they help to keep the antiquity intact and promote tourism, but we destroy them, just for the sake of personal gains, bribes and kick backs.
In the same neigbourhood, historic bungalow of session judge was demolished, which was built with chiseled stones and pure deodar and teak wood was used in it.
A new master piece of Peshawar high court bench was pushed in that green area and the building got declared dangerous right after the completion and during the recent earth quake it crumbled further.
Will our government ever tell the tax payers about any necessary actions, if they were taken in this regard??
More over pine covered Sarban mountain is also visible in the photograph of court house.
This is the same mountain and the same pine trees about whom Allama Iqbal wrote his famous poem ``abr`` (bang e dara) during his visit of Abbottabad in 1904.
Pine trees of Sarban and Shimla mountains are getting destroyed as ``influential`` people have purchased cheap land up there and they are developing those areas for housing projects.
Contractors and MPAs of ruling parties are busy in lobbying and they want to ``develop`` that pristine and so far preserved area.
Same ``developers`` mafia wanted the gravity flow water supply scheme for greater Abbottabad and this recently approved project will seal the fate of the greenery and destroy the eco-system and habitats of ``shikras``, falcons, magpies and golden eagles for ever.
Existing water reservoirs of Abbottabad are surrounded by slums built at the lands of influential people and human waste and garbage is seriously contaminating water reservoirs and making people sick.
Moreover,newer reservoirs for gravity flow scheme for Abbottabad have been built further up at the Sarban and Shimla mountains and after availability of water at greater heights,slums with no infrastructure, sewerage system or planning will be moving up as government has no understanding of keeping such areas as protected and clean.
Please note that 60 percent of patients come to government hospitals due to gastro intestinal troubles.
Our government is talking about installation of expensive water filtration plants, they must keep this in their minds that our so called government engineers are only good at making financial deals with contractors and they have no hands on experience to operate or to maintain such plants.
Filtration plants which were installed in near past are not functional as there are no replacement filters, electric supply or enough water pressure.
Most of the developed countries simply keep reservoirs and catchment areas free from human constructions and such areas are kept green and clean.
Instead of fancy filtration plants, micro biologists or bio chemists monitor water and small doses of chlorine are added,as per requirements.
Most of the surrounding mountains of Abbottabad are ``jagirs`` or privately owned and in order to stop this catastrophe and destruction of eco system, government has to acquire them and to declare them as protected areas.
4000 kanals of Shimla mountain park along with its pine forest belong to the federal government and despite supreme court rulings, it has recently been leased out by TMA Abbottabad for commercial purposes.
The News international reported about it in national news section of September 09, 2005, here is the link:
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/sep2005-daily/29-09-2005/national/n7.htm
More over GTS bus stand workshop which was a part of legally demarcated company bagh and originally belonged to women`s community centre has recently been leased out by TMA for commercial plaza.
Children park which existed in a green belt next to DIG hazara police office has reportedly been sold off.
Next to DIG police office is the historic pine view road and local contractors have filled up the natural drainage area along the pine view road with the building waste and government authorities are now planning to build a massive commercial plaza in that green and prohibited for construction area.
Petrol pumps have been built in the cantonment public park and various other commercial projects and plazas in the neighbouring green belts have also got approved by serving and retired government and Army officials.
Government has failed to protect parks and green areas or to divert population pressure towards properly planned housing schemes.
Government has also failed to provide any national heritage board or registry, where such cultural, natural and architectural heritage could have been recorded.
In the absence of any central qualified authority, unskilled contractors in collusion with corrupt government officials have ruined the historic landscapes of lady garden, company bagh and surrounding government properties.
Do these custodians of public assets and government officials really love, respect and protect Pakistan??
Posted by
nature_lover
Jul 3, 2006 04:11 pm
Treatment of a fragile hill station at our hands
During looting and destruction of Abbottabad by government authorities, 150 years old chinar and pine trees were chopped down and later on remaining trees also died due to damage caused to their roots.
If we look at the present day historic lady garden then one can notice Lebanese cedars on both sides and we should keep this in our mind that Lebanese cedars of Abbottabad can be presented as the healthiest and the most beautiful examples of this tree which is mentioned in religious books and which is about to be declared as endangered by UNESCO.
Unfortunately we lost some of our mature Lebanese cedars, Himalayan pines and Kashmiri chinars due to abuse, soil compaction and damage to roots etc. and remaining trees are also showing signs of die back and ill health.
Forest officers of Abbottabad have no passion or time for such things and gardeners cum contractors of cantt board and municipal committee, unfortunately even don,t know that they are mature world class Lebanese cedars.
We are trying to learn the ( mulching and manuring ) techniques which were used to heal and preserve the Lebanese cedars of some of the stately areas of the UK.
Hazara is a grazing ground and like an orphan and we are losing our heritage buildings and trees at very fast pace and citizens are not encouraged to come forward and claim their heritage.
In certain countries, such 19th centuries antique structures of stone masonry are considered priceless, as they help to keep the antiquity intact and promote tourism, but we destroy them, just for the sake of personal gains, bribes and kick backs.
In the same neigbourhood, historic bungalow of session judge was demolished, which was built with chiseled stones and pure deodar and teak wood was used in it.
A new master piece of Peshawar high court bench was pushed in that green area and the building got declared dangerous right after the completion and during the recent earth quake it crumbled further.
Will our government ever tell the tax payers about any necessary actions, if they were taken in this regard??
More over pine covered Sarban mountain is also visible in the photograph of court house.
This is the same mountain and the same pine trees about whom Allama Iqbal wrote his famous poem ``abr`` (bang e dara) during his visit of Abbottabad in 1904.
Pine trees of Sarban and Shimla mountains are getting destroyed as ``influential`` people have purchased cheap land up there and they are developing those areas for housing projects.
Contractors and MPAs of ruling parties are busy in lobbying and they want to ``develop`` that pristine and so far preserved area.
Same ``developers`` mafia wanted the gravity flow water supply scheme for greater Abbottabad and this recently approved project will seal the fate of the greenery and destroy the eco-system and habitats of ``shikras``, falcons, magpies and golden eagles for ever.
Existing water reservoirs of Abbottabad are surrounded by slums built at the lands of influential people and human waste and garbage is seriously contaminating water reservoirs and making people sick.
Moreover,newer reservoirs for gravity flow scheme for Abbottabad have been built further up at the Sarban and Shimla mountains and after availability of water at greater heights,slums with no infrastructure, sewerage system or planning will be moving up as government has no understanding of keeping such areas as protected and clean.
Please note that 60 percent of patients come to government hospitals due to gastro intestinal troubles.
Our government is talking about installation of expensive water filtration plants, they must keep this in their minds that our so called government engineers are only good at making financial deals with contractors and they have no hands on experience to operate or to maintain such plants.
Filtration plants which were installed in near past are not functional as there are no replacement filters, electric supply or enough water pressure.
Most of the developed countries simply keep reservoirs and catchment areas free from human constructions and such areas are kept green and clean.
Instead of fancy filtration plants, micro biologists or bio chemists monitor water and small doses of chlorine are added,as per requirements.
Most of the surrounding mountains of Abbottabad are ``jagirs`` or privately owned and in order to stop this catastrophe and destruction of eco system, government has to acquire them and to declare them as protected areas.
4000 kanals of Shimla mountain park along with its pine forest belong to the federal government and despite supreme court rulings, it has recently been leased out by TMA Abbottabad for commercial purposes.
The News international reported about it in national news section of September 09, 2005, here is the link:
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/sep2005-daily/29-09-2005/national/n7.htm
More over GTS bus stand workshop which was a part of legally demarcated company bagh and originally belonged to women`s community centre has recently been leased out by TMA for commercial plaza.
Children park which existed in a green belt next to DIG hazara police office has reportedly been sold off.
Next to DIG police office is the historic pine view road and local contractors have filled up the natural drainage area along the pine view road with the building waste and government authorities are now planning to build a massive commercial plaza in that green and prohibited for construction area.
Petrol pumps have been built in the cantonment public park and various other commercial projects and plazas in the neighbouring green belts have also got approved by serving and retired government and Army officials.
Government has failed to protect parks and green areas or to divert population pressure towards properly planned housing schemes.
Government has also failed to provide any national heritage board or registry, where such cultural, natural and architectural heritage could have been recorded.
In the absence of any central qualified authority, unskilled contractors in collusion with corrupt government officials have ruined the historic landscapes of lady garden, company bagh and surrounding government properties.
Do these custodians of public assets and government officials really love, respect and protect Pakistan??
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