Flower and bird show: Arid varsity brings out the colours of spring

Prizes for best flower decoration distributed on concluding day.

RAWALPINDI: After providing residents an opportunity to enjoy the advent of spring in all its colours, a colourful flower and bird show arranged by Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University (AAU) concluded on Sunday after three days of festivities.

The event was organised by the AAU horticulture department and featured more than 150 types of spring flowers, arranged in various shapes and conveying messages to attract nature lovers. Around 5,000 flowering plants of over 100 varieties were also displayed. Some plants were exhibited in flower pots made out of seashells, plastic bottles, cooking pots, tin cans, and building materials including old furniture, wooden planks and broken tiles to create various attractive flower houses.

A large number of local and foreign bird species including parrots, sparrows, doves and hens attracted a large number of visitors, especially children.

The chief guest, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Vice Chancellor Dr Nazir Ahmad Sangi, distributed prizes among the winners of the flower arrangements competition.

Parks and Horticulture Agency, Rawalpindi won first prize, while Attock Oil Refinery Limited, Rawalpindi stood second in the large organisations category, while Horticulture Research Institute for Floriculture and Landscape, Rawalpindi was awarded first prize in the medium organisation category. AIOU and AAU got first and second positions respectively in the university and college category; Air Headquarter Unit, Islamabad stood first in the armed forces institutes category; PAF hospital stood first and Attock Hospital stood second in the hospital category; while the Gun Club won the club category prize.

In his address, the AIOU vice chancellor described promoting horticulture among nature lovers as “a healthy activity” and felt that such exhibitions help bring people closer to the beauty of nature.

AAU VC Dr Muhammad Munir said, “Our environment can only stay clean and healthy if there are more plants,” adding that such exhibitions are particularly useful in educating the younger generation about the importance of plants and the environment.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2012.