ISLAMABAD: The name Rose and Jasmine Garden was once synonymous with the best species of aromatic flowers in the capital. Unfortunately not any more.

With the passage of time, the rose beds in the garden have shrunk and a nullah, passing through the park, has become polluted. In short, the garden is in a shambles for want of maintenance.

Spread over almost 50 acres, it is one of the oldest parks developed in the ‘70s.

During Kamran Lashari’s tenure as CDA chairman, the park was given a facelift, but that was about it. Successive managements seemed least interested in its upkeep.

In 2009, roses were planted in several sections, but as of today, only one section of flowers is maintained, while those on the rear side lie abandoned. One can see benches broken and the cemented sitting area littered with trash. Derogatory slogans have been scribbled here and there.

“I have been visiting this park for the last two decades; I still remember the park blooming with hundreds of roses of various species. Gradually the park has lost it all,” said Arsalan Khan, a visitor. The only time the park catches the attention of the staff is during flower exhibitions mainly organised by horticulture societies. That is the only time when the main area of the park is maintained.

While entering the park from Kashmir Highway, the vast open area on the right side is mostly abandoned.

“The park needs special attention of the government,” said Sibtul Hasan, who came from Gujranwala and was visiting the park for the first time.

“We were disappointed to see roses maintained only in one section. We were expecting to see a variety of flower species for which Rose and Jasmine Garden is known for,” Mr Hasan said.

When contacted, Director Environment Irfan Niazi, who is in charge of parks in the eastern side, including Rose and Jasmine Garden, said for the last many years no new roses have been procured for the garden.

“I do agree, currently, the park is in a shambles, with less number of roses, but we have been facing issue of funds. No funds have been earmarked for parks in the MCI budget,” he said, adding that as soon as his directorate gets funds, new roses would be planted in all sections.

The nullah, which runs through the park, is contaminated, giving out a foul odour.

Officials of the park said broken sewerage lines in G-6 and sewage from the katchi abadis were the main reasons behind the contamination of the nulllah.

The park was under the administrative control of the CDA, but after Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) was created, the administrative control of all parks was given to the cash-strapped corporation.

Bio-remediation processing plant

Some years ago, National Agriculture and Research Council (NARC) in collaboration with CDA had launched a project in the park to treat polluted nullah water.

The project, which was inaugurated by President Mamnoon Hussain in 2015, will be remembered only in books.

Under the project, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi were to be used to remove or neutralise the sewage in the nullah so that the treated water could be utilised for plantation. However, the plant was shut down within a few months of its inauguration.

The director environment said it was NARC’s project which they abandoned a few months after its inauguration.

However, sources in MCI said it was also the duty of the CDA and MCI to fully cooperate with the NARC for the sustainability of this project.

“Both organisations are responsible for its failure,” said an official of the MCI, who requested not to be named.

Officials of MCI said the park could be turned into one of the best parks of the city.

“When there is a will there is way. I guess if our highups made a serious attempt, purchasing new roses is not a big deal,” said a gardener.

He said the park had sufficient jasmine plants but the issue is of roses.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2018