EASY, BREEZY, SPRING…

flower show

It feels as though we have come a full circle. It was roughly around the same time last year when I was heading to cover the annual Flower Show held at A.K. Khan Park. I have been going to the Flower show every year since 2018 and it has become a routine to visit, whether I am with company or alone, to see what the show has to offer. Another reason why I don’t shy away from making this journey is my love for the sea. Since the park overlooks the Arabian sea, it makes the environment all the more soothing and refreshing.

Sadly, not long after last year’s show, the coronavirus pandemic hit Pakistan and we all went under lockdown. Fear and anxiety were heightened among the masses as we stayed inside for almost six months, before things started opening up gradually. During this time in lockdown, many of us realised the things that we have been taking for granted. We longed for the outdoors but in the midst of it, we discovered how much we had lost touch with nature. While the parks were closed, many people dusted off their joggers and cycles and took them for a spin. The air felt cleaner… more breathable. Unfortunately, when the lockdown eased, many of us forgot their plans to revisit their nearby parks or take a minute to take in the greenery around them.

To encourage this sentiment and bring more people towards greenery, the 70th annual Flower Show was recently held at A.K. Khan Park, Karachi. Like always, the four-day event was organised by Horticultural Society of Pakistan (HSP) in coordination with Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and Clifton Cantonment Board (CBC). It featured numerous varieties of seasonal, perennial and rare species of plants. However, this time around due to Covid-19 concerns, there weren’t as many stalls as they were last year.

In the previous years, there were specialised floral arrangements, educational institutions displaying the work of young students and academia stalls which were educating the public on various topics relating to plants and gardening. Moreover, there was prize distribution for the students who displayed the best work. Sadly, none of those were done this year around. This year there were limited stalls from specialised clubs and commercial nurseries and design stores. On the bright side, there were some small local businesses who had the opportunity to set up stalls at the show. The stalls for commercial nurseries showcased ornamental varieties, both exotic and indigenous, as well as vegetable and fruit plants grown in pots, where visitors were seen looking for something unique.

The coronavirus concerns were evident by the small crowd at the park. Otherwise, if it were any other show, there would be throngs of people flocking to various stalls, children playing around while parents set up a small picnic, and there’d be ridiculously long queues for chai and refreshments. As a person who isn’t a fan of crowded spaces, outdoor or indoor, this was actually a nice change. It gave me a chance to actually walk around without bumping into someone. The park had chatter and laughter but nothing noisy or boisterous as is common with crowds. There were still small picnics set up by families from all walks of life, people taking pictures with the large floral displays but it was peaceful.

In an age where threats to the environment are widespread, it is important for individuals and institutions alike to make an effort to minimise the negative environmental impacts of their activities. If the pandemic hasn’t underscored it already, there is a need to constantly remind ourselves of the undeniable impact nature has on our well-being. Especially when there is so much talk about climate change and its effects and how we witness them in our surroundings. Furthermore, we have also observed that nature is one of the most effective ways of combating this change. Urban greening is a cost-effective way of moderating harsh climates at a local level. Trees and vegetation have a natural cooling effect as they provide shade, potentially reducing surface temperature, by 5°C, to 20°C. In addition, evapotranspiration from vegetation consumes a significant proportion of the available heat energy in the atmosphere. This energy is used to convert water in the leaves into water vapour, which is then transpired through the trees. For some locations, it has been estimated that evapotranspiration can reduce peak summer temperatures by 5°C.

Horticulture and gardening are often associated with stay-at-home spouses and senior citizens, but that shouldn’t be the case. Study after study documents the psychological and physical benefits of connecting with the environment. People who are more connected with nature are happier, feel more vital, and have more meaning in their lives. Even merely looking at pictures of nature speeds up mental restoration and improves cognitive functioning. So, taking a little time out to nurture a plant can be a refreshing experience.

Coming back to where we started, we truly have come a full-circle. Here is hoping that things get better from here out now. And the best way we can do that is by welcoming spring and revelling in its beauty.