Suggestions for Improvement in Lahore Cantt &DHA

Towards creating a more ecologically friendly environment.

1. Nomenclature Lahore Garrison Lahore Cantt was bifurcated into 2 Cantonments some times back besides the Lahore Cantt, Walton Cantt was established. It is historically appropriate to rename the remaining Lahore Cantt as Mianmir Cantt which is its original and historical name i.e. The Lahore Garrison should be composed of the Mianmir Cantt and Walton Cantt. In fact the present Lahore Cantt station till late sixties was known as the Mianmir Cantt Railway Station. Establishment of Additional Medical Facility: -Every Major Cantt before partitionhad two medical facilities i.e. IMH (Indian Military Hospital) for Indian JCOs&ORs and CMH for Officers and the British ORs. Similarly Lahore too had an IMH next to the R A Bazaar where presently 11 Division Medical Battalion is located. This facility known as IMH Lines is tailored made like a hospital. With the expansion of Lahore Cantt southwards to DHA, the CMH lying at its extreme north is way out both for units in RA Bazaar, Walton besides a large number of retired military peopleliving in Nishat Colony & DHA etc. Establishment of a Military Hospital (MH) in the old IMH Lines would reduce burden from the CMH besides easing the traveling etc. for patients from southern parts of the Cantt. It is felt that it can be done without much extra cost by bifurcating thepresent CMH and bringing a part of more common affected disciplines here.The possibility of utilizing/augmenting the Fauji Foundation Hospital for this purpose should also be examined. Use of Canal Water for Irrigation: The entire Lahore Cantt to include all parks, road side plantations, playing fields & even private bungalows were irrigated through canal water till few years back. Similarly the entire area of DHA was canal irrigated agricultural land till the LCCHS followed by the DHA started acquiring land for development. In other words it had its own allotment of canal water which is now being utilized by people outside these areas. The Lahore Cantt and DHA stands to save colossal amount of money by watering its parks, playing fields, roadside plantations etc. by utilizing canal irrigation water. It will accrue following benefits/savings: a. Potable quality water being wasted on watering of parks, plantations. b. Electricity required to run these tube wells. c. Fuel, wear and tear of vehicles, tractors, and bowsers etc. d. An added advantage would be reduction of sewerage (black) water into the over clogged drains. e. It will also contribute towards recharge of the ground water resources Recycling of Used water: At present all effluent water coming out of a house, office or business centres goes out mixed with sewage (black) water. It is felt that a large amount of water can be recycled and reutilized within all houses by making arrangement for having separate outlets for bathing, cleaning and kitchen water. This water can be collected in an additional septic pit linked to existing pits and can be used for cleaning of porch, watering of house lawns etc. Retention of more water within the household lawns will also contribute towards enhancing the recharge of the ground water resources. The Cantt Board &DHA may include in their bye laws that all houses of 10 Marlas or more will recycle or reutilize its grey water. It may be made mandatory for all future construction. Existing houses may be given a grace period of 10 years to construct additional septic tanks etc. and relaying of the waste water lines to comply with the new bye laws. Rain Water Harvesting. The harvesting of roof/terrace rain water can add substantial amount of water to our domestic household usage. In most European countries it is mandatory to erect rain water harvesting facility in each house. What is entailed is to link all water exits through 5-6 inches diameter pipeline to either the underground tank or a fiber class tank with a capacity of 500 gallons for 5000 square feet roof top space. This may also be made a part of the construction bye laws. Trees Plantation: It is heartening to know that due to personal intervention by a previous Corps Command most of the trees planted during Sir Charles Napiers time have been saved. Only indigenous trees should be planted both on the sides and center where a central meridian exists. Advice of the best experts on trees plantation would be pertinent re various types of trees etc. Exotic trees like Ashoka and Alstonia may look good in a botanical garden but are absolutely of no value to a residential society. The tree plantation should be very well thought out methodical and of some value to the planter. It is felt that sufficient income can be generated through the sale proceeds of these trees or their fruits. There are a large number of fascinating local trees which are ideal for providing shade and improving /protecting

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environments. These would provide colour and help in combating heat. Date trees for unclear reasons have been thrust on hapless citizens. These are expensive, difficult to preserve and do not blend with the local environment. Precious money should not be wasted on these. Some of the suggested trees are Rosewood (Shisham), Kiker, Shireen, Shahtoot and Jaman. For the central meridian Naeem and Shireen etc. We may take a leaf from what Maj Gen (late) Hayat Ansari did as the DG, Lahore Development Authority. Against the advice and wishes of everyone he ordered the plantation of fruit trees along the Lahore Canalbanks. These trees are a big source of income for the LDA now. When the Lahore Canal banks were cleared from nurseries almost everyone had wanted ornamental trees to be planted there. New Footpaths: Footpaths have been reconstructed recently along Cantt roads at exactly the same place where previous ones existed. In view of the fast growing traffic the relaying footpaths at old alignment should have been changed. The future footpaths should be constructed approx. 3 to 5 feet away from the boundary sidewalls leaving place for plantations of trees on both sides of the roads Kerb Stones: The kerb stones look beautiful but they restrict the road space. If they are erected in lying position only 3-4 inches above the road surface they will still look beautiful and not be hazard and allow excessive water to go out during rains particularly the monsoon season. Parking for Plazas: The Lahore city has strict rules regarding the number of parking spaces for any commercial plaza based on its size and number of people expected to visit it. The Cantt Board may implement the same in order to reduce inconvenience due to lack of parking spaces for any future construction. Underground Wiring: It has been observed that all wiring for new developed projects such as DHA Phase 5 onwards is under ground. The wiring for existing sectors is also being shifted underground. A common underground pipe of 2 to 3 feet diameter may be laid for all venders such as Wapda, PTCL Cable and Internet Providers as is the procedure in the developed world. This is a one-time investment but I am sure that it will give dividends in the long run by reducing maintenance costs besides enhancing the beauty and property value as well. It may be carried out in a phased manner to reduce the financial burden. Extension of D.H.A Area Up To the Jallo Park: The DHA boundaries were extended up to Burki Road some times back leaving the area around Mahfoozpura Garrison to private developers. They are buying agricultural land at a hectic rate to develop housing units/ colonies/ societies around Mahfoozpura Garrison leading to haphazard urbanized growth. The military garrison at Mahfoozpura is likely to be besieged by these haphazard housing units/ katchi abadies. It is felt that the boundaries of DHA may be extended north winds to include area bounded by theJallo Park on the north Mahfoozpura garrison on the west and BRB on the east. Playing Fields: There is a great dearth of playing fields in entireDHA. Children playing cricket on the roads and streets is a very common sight. Nothing can be done for the already developed sectors. However for future development the Model Town formula can be kept in mind. Also instead of having a number of small parks in a sector one big park would have been better. It is recommended that one football and hockey ground should be the minimum criterion for a sector in future. Donkey Carts: The donkey carts were banned from entering the Cantt &DHAa few years back. They were doing a yeoman service at that time. Besides bringing in construction material, fruits and vegetables vendors use to also visit various sectors for house to house delivery. Similarly for taking material needing any repairs e.g. refrigerators, air conditioners, geysers, washing machines etc. They were very handy and cheap. The donkey carts both the prime mover and carrier are a totally indigenous source. It saves precious foreign exchange on machines, wear and tear and their fuel. They generate employment and are environmentally friendly not contributing to carbon emissions etc. The only negative aspect though minor one could be the donkeys dung disposal. Any donkey cart allowed entry into the DHA may be directed to affix a dung collection bag at its rear. This can later be used as compost or organic fertilizer. The DHA may organize a permit system to allow a limited number to fulfill the local needs and offset the high prices of Suzuki mafia. The animals allowed may be vetted by the SPCAs Lahore Cantt/DHA chapter. Adhoc Commercial Projects in Residential Phases. In the last few years mammoth new commercial projects of mega size and scale have been launched in contravention to the original planning of these phases i.e.Haly Towers in phase II and shopping malls in Phase IV & V. The shopping plazas being developed at these sites are much higher and bigger than the existing commercial buildings.These projects on completion will be an eye sore being neither in architectural harmony with the surrounding residential

areasnor having enough circulation and breathing spaceand will pose serious problems for the DHA residents. Some of these are: Clogging of the existing entry/exit roads to DHA. At the moment the plots in DHA are not fully occupied (approx. 50to 60%) and yet the traffic congestion at entry points especially during peak rush hours is very bad, which is likely to aggravate further when residents from other parts of Lahore also visit the shopping areas. b. Inadequate car parking space and its attendant problem. c. Invasion of privacy of residents of the locality as these buildings will overlook their houses. d. Enhance security threats in the prevailing environments due to expected deluge of visitors. e. Allowing additional height and detentions of plazas / buildings to new owners gives them unfair advantage vis avis old commercial buildings. 17. It is recommended that once the development of a phase is completed and it is opened for constriction activity, there after the town planning should not be changed under any circumstances and original bye laws strictly adhered to. Also, deliberate and due consideration be given to design of roads which should cater for traffic volumes for the next 20 to 25 years. The importance of insuring adequate space for car parking also needs attention. 18. Jinnah House: This property of Father of the Nation needs to be restored to its old design with bay windows etc. The construction of a multi stored apartments block and commercial area in front has marred its beauty. It is no more appropriate to have the Flag Staff House here which may be moved to a more suitable place and Jinnah Army Museumestablished here. 19. Lahore Cantt HeritageCommittee: Like the Lahore City Heritage Committee a Lahore Cantt Heritage Committee can give useful suggestion re-preservation and maintenance of some of the old building, barracks and monuments etc. With eminent town planners, architects, anthropologists & archeologists living & available a very enviable environment can be the objective. 20. Residents Consultative Committee. In the absence of an elected Cantt Board Council & General Body for DHA the residents are totally out of any decision making process. There is a dire necessity to include the residents of Cantt & DHA into the decision making process particularly where these affect their living. a.

Brig (Retd)Yasub Ali Dogar