‘We must pay urgent attention to our natural heritage’

Karachi

Unfortunately we woke up to the urgent need to preserve our horticulture too late, when all the environmental degradation resulting from haphazard industrialisation, proliferation of factories, and lopsided urbanisation have wrought havoc on our environment and set in motion a cycle of environmental degradation. Today the sea is treated as the dustbin for the city’s refuse with the result that despite Karachi being by the seashore, marine animals are a vanishing sight and our birds, which once adorned the city in flocks are gone. We must strive to preserve our natural and horticultural heritage.

These views were expressed by noted literary figure and humorist Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi at the launch of, “The Gardener: Horticulture in Pakistan”, by A.K. Khan, published by Oxford University Press (Pakistan) Thursday evening.

In a speech profusely interspersed with very humorous and witty quips and remarks, Mr Yusufi highlighted the services rendered by Mr AK Khan in the field of horticulture and gardening not just in Karachi but also all over the country. His humorous remarks, often self-denigrating, gave a very light-hearted touch to an issue of otherwise profound importance.

Dr S. I. Ali, noted botanist and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Karachi, in his tribute to AK Khan, referring to the author as “eighty-seven years young”, lauded the book and said that through the work, Mr Khan had

Given such a lot of colour and beauty to our environment. He said at least 5,000 people had benefited from the short courses in horticulture and gardening arranged by him. He highlighted the importance of promoting the technique of tissue culture, which, he said, could earn us lucrative foreign exchange.

Justice (Retd) Majida Rizvi, rated the work “an excellent book” since it most comprehensively covered all aspects of gardening. By authoring such a book, Mr Khan had done a great service to horticulture, she

said.

Lt-Gen (Retd) Jahanzeb Arbab, former Sindh Governor, and President, Horticulture Society of Pakistan, said that he considered it a mighty privilege to have known an avid nature lover in the person of AK Khan. Enumerating Mr Khan’s achievements, he said Mr Khan got all the credit for whatever of landscaping we see in Karachi today.

The author, AK Khan , at the end of the function, heartily thanked the speakers for their tributes.

Earlier, Mrs Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press (Pakistan), in her welcome address, said that the book was a “distillation of a lifetime of vast experience and know-how” and would be a source of great inspiration and knowledge for lovers of nature and beauty. Mrs Durdana Soomro conducted the proceedings.