PESHAWAR
\nAs the spring season approaches in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the demand for flowers and ornamental plants has seen a significant increase in Peshawar, with a noticeable rush of buyers at local nurseries eager to decorate their homes with vibrant roses and other plants.
\nTarnab, a well-known business hub for flowers and ornamental plants located about seven kilometers north of Peshawar, is witnessing a surge in visitors.
\nResidents are flocking to the area to purchase flowers and plants to brighten up their houses, bungalows, and farmlands.
\nAmong the most sought-after plants are ornamental varieties like the Kangi Palm, Bottle Palm, and Araucaria, which have seen a dramatic rise in demand despite their high prices.
\n\u201cI came from Nowshera to buy Kangi Palm and Araucaria to decorate my newly built house near Wapda Town,\u201d said Nasir Khan, a property dealer at Tarnab. \u201cThese plants are my favorite as they hold a special fascination for me,\u201d he added.
\nNasir highlighted that Pakistan\u2019s diverse climate, with ample sunshine, rainfall, and distinct seasons, makes it an ideal country for various types of plants.
\nHe emphasized the importance of promoting native trees as part of national programs like the Plant for Pakistan and spring afforestation initiatives, which could benefit honey production, wildlife, and the furniture industry.
\nSellers at Tarnab shared that Patokai Qasur district is a major source of ornamental plants and flowers, with seasonal plants being transported in bulk to meet the growing demand.
\nPrices for these plants vary, with flower saplings being sold at Rs 200-250 each. Larger species like the Karachi-bred Araucaria, standing at five feet, are priced between Rs 4,000-5,000, while locally grown varieties from Lahore and Peshawar are available for Rs 2,000-2,500.
\nTraders from the merged tribal areas are also taking advantage of the rising demand, purchasing flowers and plants from Tarnab to capitalize on the growing interest in floriculture.
\nThe traders noted that one of the challenges of the business is the potential for financial losses due to plant deaths or drying out. As such, they are urging the KP government to recognize floriculture as an industry and offer financial incentives to those involved in this demanding trade.
\nKhurshid Khan, Chief Conservator of Forests, announced that a large stock of saplings has been raised in nurseries and will be distributed to the public, farmers, and government departments as part of the region\u2019s afforestation efforts.
\nHe also encouraged every individual to contribute to the environmental cause by planting at least two saplings, which could collectively lead to the planting of 480 million saplings in KP within a year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR As the spring season approaches in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the demand for flowers and ornamental plants has seen a significant increase in Peshawar, with a noticeable rush of buyers at local nurseries eager to decorate their homes with vibrant roses and other plants. Tarnab, a well-known business hub for flowers and ornamental plants located […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-458797","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n