Only Baghlan park being turned into marketplace

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Residents of northern Baghlan province say the provincial municipality is trying to convert the only recreational park in Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital, into a commercial area.

Bagh-i-Qahwa Khana Parkis, the only recreational park and green area in Pul-i-Khumri city, has partially been turned to a fruits market while another major part of the park serves as home to a number of drug addicts.

Residents who had gathered in the city said the municipality was trying to turn the remaining small portion of the park into a commercial area.

Daud Rahimi, a resident, said: “A major part of the semi-green garden is occupied by drug addicts and if the remaining small part is constructed with shops then Pul-i-Khumri will be a city without a park.”

Habibullah Khaleiqi, another resident of Pul-I-Khumri, said people in other countries used to destroy shops and residential buildings for expanding recreational areas, but it the case in Afghanistan was opposite.

He said Bagh-i-Qahwa Khana Park, which remained untouched was finally offered to be destroyed. “We ask the government not to destroy recreational areas and instead create more,” he added.

Provincial environment protection authority head Norullah Amini said he was unaware about distribution of the park’s land to shopkeepers.

“We act in accordance with the law whenever a threat is posed to environment. Building market in Bagh-i-Qahwa Khana clearly means destruction of green area, we will not let such an attempt succeed by any organ or person,” he concluded.

Baghlan mayor refused to comment on the issue.

mds/ma