RCB completes work on ‘Quranic gardens’

The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has completed work on two ‘Quranic gardens’, where trees and fruit plants mentioned in the holy book of Islam have been planted.

The cantonment board has introduced the unique concept of the Quranic gardens with reference to fruit trees mentioned in Surah Ar-Rahman of the Holy Quran.

The gardens have been established at Sher Khan Chowk and on Raja Akram Road.

Fruit-bearing trees including fig, olive, pomegranate and date plants have been planted in both parks.

Both sites now have been converted into lush green areas, which used to be a heap of garbage.

RCB Executive Officer Omar Farooq Ali Malik and Horticulturist Mehr Gul Khan oversaw the work.

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The RCB had initially established green belts and constructed new footpaths at both locations and had cordoned off the trees with grills.

The cantonment board had also engaged a special team of gardeners to water the plants.

Fig and pomegranate trees have started bearing fruit while olive, grape and palm trees have not reached the stage yet.

However, they will also begin to bear fruit soon, according to horticulturist Mehr Gul.

Plaques inscribed with Surah Rehman and its Urdu translation had been put on at the entrances of both Quran gardens. RCB Assistant Secretary Qaiser Mahmood said that the establishment of Quran gardens was an extraordinary initiative and officers and gardeners have given practical proof of their devotion.

He said that citizens were also taking a keen interest in them.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2021.