KARACHI:
The country’s first botanical garden, established more than a decade ago for research purposes and preservation of plants, at one of the largest universities in the country, is now in a state of ruin due to inattention and lack of funds.
Back in 2005, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), approved the addition of a botanical garden at the University of Karachi, spread over several acres, at a cost of Rs 30 million.
Two years later, in September of 2007, the project was inaugurated and its initial years were dedicated to preservation of alpine plants, medicinal plants, and halophytes; while a separate section was created for planting fruit bearing trees. Presently, the garden resembles a wild tree forest.
The Express Tribune asked the in-charge, Dr Roohi Bano, about the miserable state of the garden, to which she replied that she had only recently assumed her post but was aware of