Millat Baba Park on the verge of destruction

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The Millat Baba Park, a multimillion afghanis recreational area in Lashkargah, the capital of southern Helmand province, is on the brink of destruction due to sheer negligence.

The park was built in 20 acres of land along the Helmand River 12 years ago at a cost of 48 million afghanis.

Grass in the park has dried after never waters and its tiles, seats and other things have destroyed.

Esmatullah, a resident of Lashkargah, told Pajhwok Afghan News the Millay Baba Park was beautifully constructed but negligence brought it on the verge of destruction.

 “It was a great park, but now it gives an ugly look like a barren land, its sitting areas are also destroyed,” he said, and feared the park’s trees would dry soon if paid no attention.

A shopkeeper in Lashkargah, Hafizullah, said the Millat Baba Park was unique in its construction on the country level.

He said despite the park’s location along the Helmand River, it was facing a draught-like situation.

“People pay money when they enter the park, park officials have many times quarreled over collection of this money,” he said.

Abdul Ghani, a gardener in the park, said only four persons had been given responsibility to protect the park.

“We are four gardeners, we only water and protect the park, but we have no facilities or responsibility to clean it,” he said.

Ikramuddin Niazai, in charge for jungles and green areas protection of Helmand, said the Millat Baba Park was damaged due to lack of personnel.

“We have no budget, the money collected from people visiting the park now goes to another account,” he said.

In response to a question, he said, “In the past, we would water the park from the Helmand River, but now the river area is under the Taliban control and we do not receive water.”

On the other hand, provincial agriculture, irrigation and livestock official, Rafiullah Qalam, said a plan had been prepared for the protection and repairing of Millat Baba Park and the park would be privatized.

Mohammad Nabi Khan, provincial environment protection director, said that besides the Millat Baba Park, other parks also needed attention.

“If these parks are not protected, it would cause a bad air in Lashkargah city,” he said.

Lashkargah has around 80 parks but 10 of them are currently active, he said.

mds/ma

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