Gutter Baghicha Efforts to Conserve Urban Agricultural Landscapes Case Study of Gutter Baghicha

Celebrating The International Day for Monuments and Sites 18th April 2010 The Heritage of Agriculture Presented By: Ar. Tania Ali Soomro Heritage Cell Department of Architecture - NEDUET April 19, 2010 ICOMOS International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is an international non-governmental organization of professionals, dedicated to the conservation of the world's historic monuments and sites. The objective of ICOMOS is to bring together conservation specialists, to collect, evaluate and disseminate information on conservation principles, techniques and policies. It co-operates with national and international authorities on the establishment of documentation centers and works for the adoption and implementation of international conventions on the conservation and enhancement of architectural heritage. http://www.international.icomos.org/mission_eng.htm ICOMOS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR MONUMENTS AND SITES – 18TH APRIL Theme for 2010- THE HERITAGE OF AGRICULTURE The heritage of agriculture includes Significant natural and heritage properties generated by agrarian activity – orchards, crops, irrigation channels and wells, farmyards, landscapes etc The protection of agriculture heritage recognizes • Tangible Aspects : Agricultural landscapes and mixed cultural and natural sites, and • Intangible Aspects: Agriculture activity itself and the skills and the traditions related to it ICOMOS Pakistan 2010 Efforts to Conserve Urban Agricultural Landscapes Case study of Gutter Baghicha Efforts to Conserve Urban Agricultural Landscapes Case study of Gutter Baghicha Its appellation of gutter originated from storm drainage channels of Lyari River known as the Shone Drainage System Gutter Baghicha is the largest continuous open green space in Karachi, located in SITE TOWN along the Manghopir Road. It is a public amenity space, and it used to be bigger-1017 acres of greenery in the pre- independence Trans-Lyari area. Approximately 480 acres are left now. HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE Karachi Municipality record of 1892 shows it is 113 years old. The storm water channels built by the British are still being used. The area used to have farms for growing cereals, green fodder and vegetables. At the time of partition, the Baghicha was referred to as 'the largest urban forest in Karachi'. Apart from the cultivated area, there were also large tracts of natural vegetation with wildlife, abundance of flora and fauna. SOURCE:htt://shehri.org/gutterbaghicha/about.html PRESENT SITUATION Encroachments: 300 illegal factories, 22 hydrants • There 300 illegal factories in Haroonabad - a sector of Gutter Baghicha • 2000 water tankers make 12 rounds every day to lift water from 22 illegal hydrants. Dumping ground for SITE’s waste Wastewater flowing from 2,200 factories of S.I.T.E. • Highly toxic hospital waste. • Marble wastage dumped by marble processing factories Cultivation of 300 acres with untreated water Vegetables etc are grown on 300 acres using toxic waste water of illegal factories on land which is claimed by the City Government as 'open land'. http://www.shehri.org/gutterbageecha/abuse.htm LOCATION MAP http://www.shehri.org/gutterbageecha/location.htm NEED FOR PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION If not protected, the opportunity of reviving the only open space in old Karachi that can be redeveloped as a green area will be lost. GUTTER BAGHICHA CAN BE What remains of Gutter Baghicha can be developed again as a nature preserve and park for the people of Karachi. It can be replanted and forested (especially with local vegetation of this area). A botanical garden can be planted to display the variety of tropical and sub- tropical flora of the Asia Pacific region. The replanted Gutter Baghicha should have the following public amenities like Parking area, Play spaces for children, Study and research center on the flora and fauna of the Baghicha, Internal water recycling plants, Food kiosks, Communication kiosks, Toilets etc. http://www.shehri.org/gutterbageecha/suggesstions.htm.

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