Home / Environment / Karachi Park Soaks Up 100,000 Gallons of Rain
Karachi Park Soaks Up 100,000 Gallons of Rain
14 Nov
Summary
- A new park in Karachi can hold 100,000 gallons of rainwater.
- The park uses rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pathways.
- It aims to manage runoff, recharge groundwater, and support wildlife.
Karachi has inaugurated Pakistan's first water-sensitive sponge park, a unique urban green space designed to manage rainwater effectively. This innovative park, located in Gulberg Town, can absorb up to 100,000 gallons of water during monsoon events, significantly reducing surface runoff that typically flows into drains.
The park's design incorporates nature-based solutions, including rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pathways, allowing water to infiltrate the ground and recharge groundwater. This approach transforms the park into a functional sponge, mitigating the impact of heavy rainfall.
Beyond its water management capabilities, the Jamali Park, as it is known, also features native trees, a dedicated biodiversity zone, and a pollinator zone to enhance urban wildlife habitats. A community learning area is also included to offer visitors an experiential connection with nature.
This initiative, a collaboration between WWF-Pakistan, Gulberg Town Municipal Corporation, and GSK, serves as a model for other municipalities. Officials believe this water-sensitive design can be replicated across Karachi and other Pakistani cities to improve sustainable urban water management, promote biodiversity, and enhance the local microclimate.
