October 05, 2008	Sunday	Shawwal 05, 1429

KARACHI, Oct 4: There was a time when the city government of Karachi used to host around six flower shows annually, all held either under its control or with the blessings of the administration. However, since about 2003, all these flower shows have come to an abrupt halt – with the exception of one show. That too is held under the patronage of the Defence Housing Authority.

Horticulturists Dawn spoke to were of the opinion that since the current Karachi city district government seems to be taking some interest in the greening of the city, perhaps attention should also be paid to reviving the metropolis’s various flower shows.

“Till 2002, the now defunct Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC, the CDGK’s predecessor) used to hold six flower and plant shows regularly every year, either exclusively or in collaboration with some horticulture NGO,” Tariq Khan, a member of the Tree Club of Pakistan, a private entity dedicated to horticulture, told Dawn.

“These included the annual winter flower show held in collaboration with the Horticulture Society of Pakistan; the annual chrysanthemum show, also held with the HSP; the annual summer flower show, held independently; the cactus and succulents show, held in association with the Cactus and Succulents Society of Pakistan; the Bonsai show, held in collaboration with the Bonsai Society of Pakistan and the rose show, organized with the support of Karachi Gymkhana,” he added. According to Mr Khan, the abovementioned shows were discontinued in 2003 and the winter flower show, cactus show and Bonsai show were merged into one. The show is now held under the aegis of the DHA at Seaview.

When City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal was asked by Dawn if the CDGK planned to revive any of the flower shows held in the past, he said that the arrangement of flower shows now fell under the towns’ ambit.

“After devolution, the arrangement of flower shows has gone to the towns. For the last two years there has been a competition in which all 18 towns participate. As for the promotion of horticulture, the city government is encouraging it. We have planted around 185,000 saplings across the whole city. Where there was once a concrete jungle there is now greenery. We have also developed parks such as the Jheel Park and Bagh Ibne Qasim,” the nazim said.

However, some horticulturists were of the view that though the city fathers seem to have the will to make Karachi greener, what was missing was a proper plan.

“Money is being spent, but it does not seem to be proper horticulture. Around Rs2 billion have been set aside for greening, but the planning is not proper,” said a senior horticulturist. “The will is there but the planning is not. Just spending money will not do.”

Another senior horticulturist involved with the winter flower show told Dawn that it was essential to create awareness amongst schoolchildren and the masses to really create an impact. “If the administration or the horticulture department plant 100,000 trees, that’s great, but that’s their job. If students and the public get involved, that’s a real measure of success.”

As for private organizations promoting horticulture, there are quite a few that are active, but observers note that their activities are limited to organizing flower shows and flower arrangements, and they do not possess the ability to spread awareness about horticulture on a large scale.

Mr Khan urged the city nazim to at least revive the flower shows that were organized by the city administration independently. He also added that efforts should be made to preserve the old trees of the city, some of which – such as the ones at the Karachi Zoological Gardens – date back to over a century.

When Mr Kamal was asked about the CDGK’s resolve to protect the trees that already exist in the metropolis, he pointed to the claim he recently made about the need for legislation to protect trees. “We are very serious about this. We are currently reviewing three proposals. An FIR will be lodged against anyone who harms or chops down a tree without the relevant department’s approval.”

But despite the onslaught against greenery that has ravaged much of the city’s prized trees and foliage, observers point to the fact that there have been a few bright patches, such as the development of recently inaugurated parks by the authorities, while the opening of the University of Karachi’s Botanical Garden in September 2007 has been roundly hailed as a high point in nature lovers’ battle against the unchecked growth of the concrete jungle.