PESHAWAR, Dec 2: The proposed construction of a building for the bio-technology department at the site of a botanical garden on the Peshawar University campus has drawn mixed reactions from quarters concerned.

The decision will deprive the students of the botany department of a research facility, but the varsity administration considers it more important to providing space to the bio-technology department than the research work.

However, contrary to the concerns expressed by certain quarters recently, there is no environmental risk involved in the construction of the building at the site.

The botanical garden has been in use by students since 1958 and there are various kinds of shrubs, including some rare species, at the garden.

“Where is the botanical garden?” asked Vice-Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Hussain Gillani, adding: “There never was one”.

“There is need of a building for the students of bio-technology department, where they can have their classes and carry out research in laboratories,” he said.

On the other hand, the head of the botany department expressed dissatisfaction over the present state of the garden, which, he added, could hardly be called a botanical garden. However, he remarked, at least it was fulfilling the requirements of MSc students.

Provincial Governor Iftikhar Hussain Shah, who is also chancellor of the university, on Monday directed the vice-chancellor at a meeting to carry out new constructions on the campus to facilitate students of the bio-technology department.

“Let the issue be resolved without touching the (botanical) garden,” the governor was quoted to have told the meeting, according to a handout. He said the university’s master plan should be followed while proposing new constructions on the campus.