In the heart of Pakistan’s busiest metropolis, towering buildings and traffic-packed roads dominate the skyline — but one vital element is vanishing fast: greenery. As Karachi continues to grow, it is slowly turning into a “concrete jungle,” with dangerous consequences for its environment and public health. Without urgent action, the city risks becoming unlivable in the face of climate change and urban stress.
Karachi — a large and lively metropolis with a population of over 20 million — is Pakistan’s biggest city and the backbone of its economy, contributing nearly 20% to the national GDP, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. It hosts the country’s busiest ports, Port of Karachi and Port Qasim, which play a key role in trade and energy supply. Karachi is also a major center for industry, finance, culture, and innovation, attracting people from all over the country in search of better opportunities.
But behind this dynamic image lies a grim reality: Karachi faces growing environmental degradation and pollution. The city’s outdated transport system, decaying infrastructure, and poor urban planning have led to alarming levels of air, water, and land pollution. A major but often overlooked contributor to this crisis is the lack of green spaces — a gap that urgently needs to be filled.
Karachi’s Green Shortage: A Hidden Climate Crisis
Right now, Karachi has less than 2.5 square meters of green space per person, which is far below the 9 square meters per person recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN-Habitat. In comparison, cities like New York have over 23 square meters, and Singapore has around 66 square meters per person. This shows that Karachi is one of the most under-greened big cities in the world.
This shortage has serious consequences. The city frequently experiences extreme heat waves, with temperatures often rising above 45°C. Without the cooling effect of trees, the urban heat island effect becomes stronger, raising surface temperatures and putting millions at risk of heat stroke, dehydration, and respiratory illnesses. According to urban climate researchers, trees act as natural air conditioners, reducing local temperatures, filtering polluted air, and providing much-needed shade in crowded residential and commercial areas.
Additionally, the lack of trees contributes to urban flooding. Trees and green spaces absorb rainwater and reduce surface runoff. Without them, even moderate rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems. According to a 2020 report by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Urban Resource Centre, the Karachi floods in August 2020 were made worse by widespread concrete surfaces, choked drains, and an extreme shortage of greenery. The floods caused widespread power outages, property damage, and claimed over 40 lives.
The consequences don’t stop there. According to The Lancet Planetary Health Journal, a lack of green areas contributes to rising air pollution, mental stress, and noise pollution, especially in densely populated cities. Parks and trees aren’t just for recreation — they’re vital for public health and urban resilience.
Greening Karachi: A Path Forward
As the world recently celebrated World Environment Day, this is the right time for Pakistan to focus on making its cities greener — and Karachi should take the lead.
Here are some important steps that can help:
Tree Plantation: Start large-scale tree planting, especially with local tree species that suit Karachi’s climate.
More Green Spaces: Build new parks in areas that don’t have any, and repair old parks like Hill Park and Jheel Park with help from both the government and private groups.
Cleaner Transport: Slowly replace old, smoke-emitting buses with cleaner options like electric or hybrid vehicles to cut air pollution.
Green Budget: Set aside a special budget to plant trees and maintain green areas across all parts of the city.
These steps can help make Karachi cooler, cleaner, and safer for everyone.
Besides the government, people also have an important role to play. They can plant trees near their homes, grow small gardens, or take part in tree-planting activities by local groups. One good example is the Urban Forest Karachi Project by Shahzad Qureshi, which changed empty land into green areas using the Miyawaki method, a fast way to grow small forests.
Everyone Has a Role to Play
Karachi doesn’t need big miracles — it simply needs more trees, green spaces, and calculated planning. Planting greenery isn’t just for looks; it’s essential for health, lowering pollution, fighting climate change, and preventing floods.
If the government, planners, and people join hands with thoughtful and well-planned efforts, Karachi can become a cooler, cleaner, and healthier city. The time to act is now — the future of the city is at stake.
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