Page 16 - Zonaira-Chaudry-Portfolio_1

Beauty, Brains, and Botanical Gardens

Kinnaird is one of the oldest and most prestigious “Kinnaird has always encouraged a green and natural
institutions of the country. It has a huge campus with a environment,” she recalls. Kinnaird has the honor of
number of academic blocks, hostels, and wonderful housing one of the oldest trees in Lahore. “These trees
lush green fields and flower gardens. This spring, were planted by various past principals of the college,
Kinnaird was recognized by the Horticulture Society some of them date back to pre-partition. The college at
for its beautiful landscapes and flower gardens, adding the time lacked flower gardens,” Dr Iffat remembers.
yet another trophy to its already impressive list of “A lot of landscaping and planning was done by the
honors: ‘best gardens’ among all the Educational administration to fill this gap. The gardens were
Institutions. extended from Jail Road to the canal which also
included hostel grounds, staff house, and the main
A green environment during the hot summer season academic building,” she says.
sounds invigorating and energizing especially for the
students who sit under the shade during the study “Kinnaird was given a new layout in 2004 with the idea
breaks. Kinnaird has always been green; however, that the Kinnaird girls should be groomed in every way
flower gardens are relatively a new feature of the and this should include appreciation of garden art and
campus. The Principal of Kinnaird Professor Dr Mira landscaping, natural environment and ecology. They
Phailbus takes special interest in keeping the “natural should learn to appreciate the unlimited wonders of
beauty” of Kinnaird intact. The chief person in charge nature, the vast range of colors, without harming them.
of Kinnaird Gardens was Dr Iffat Yaqub Chaudry who Large number of flower beds were made in all sections
was appointed by the Principal in 2004. Her keen of the college and the girls were encouraged to sit and
interest has made significant difference in the enjoy them; introducing them to a panorama of
greenness of Kinnaird. She was responsible for the greenness,” she explains. Special trips are periodically
grounds for more than four years (till March 2008). Dr arranged by the college administration to places like
Iffat personally supervised the preparation for the Pathoki and Kasur along with the gardeners to find
horticulture competition. She is a keen gardener in her diverse plants and flowers for the gardens. For
own right and a professor of Psychology. maintenance, special equipment and machinery is
used. Seeds are saved from flowers to be used in the
next season.

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