Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment has launched a book entitled "Parks & Amenity Spaces of Karachi" at a local hotel here on Friday. The research carried out in the making the said book has taken more than three years. The purpose of this book is to provide concerned citizens with a document that will assist them in understanding the locations and types of amenity, public utility service and park plots in the city, and the rules and laws governing their usage.

The book highlights the present status of the open spaces in terms of encroached land, changes in land use. The book Parks & Amenity Spaces of Karachi comprises of three volumes. Addressing a book launch ceremony Roland deSouza of Shehri said that in 2012, Karachi was rated as the seventh least liable city out of 140 in the world.

He said that Karachi was also graded as 'well below average' on the Asian Green City Index of 22 cities prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in collaboration with Siemens. "Karachi will expand in the 21st centaury due to population pressures. However an urban conglomeration also requires: Open spaces for recreation and fresh air, playgrounds for children, schools, hospitals and adequate utilities and infrastructure", he informed. On this occasion Olaf Kellerhoff of FNSt and others also spoke.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012