• Background

    Sialkot, renowned for its vibrant industries and cultural heritage, faces urban challenges such as limited green spaces, increasing air pollution, and rising food costs. In 2024, Ms Ayesha Noor, a school teacher and environmental enthusiast, decided to create a community garden in her neighbourhood, addressing environmental and social concerns while promoting sustainable urban practices.

    Challenges

    Ms. Noor identified several hurdles when planning the community garden:

    1. Limited Space: Most homes in the densely populated neighbourhood lacked sufficient space for individual gardens.
    2. Soil Degradation: The communal plot available for gardening had compacted and nutrient-deficient soil.
    3. Lack of Awareness: Many residents were unfamiliar with sustainable gardening techniques and sceptical about its benefits.
    4. Water Scarcity: The neighbourhood often faced water shortages during the dry season.

    Challenges and Technical Approaches

    1. Space Optimization

    The lack of individual gardening areas in the neighbourhood required a shared approach to gardening.

    • Solution: Ms. Noor implemented raised garden beds, which maximized yield in a limited area. The beds were constructed using recycled bricks and arranged in a grid to optimize space for walking paths and planting.
    • Vertical Gardening: Trellises made from bamboo poles were installed to grow climbing plants like beans and cucumbers, effectively using vertical space.

    2. Soil Degradation

    The soil in the vacant lot was compacted and nutrient-poor, unsuitable for planting.

    • Testing and Remediation: Ms. Noor used a soil testing kit to measure pH and nutrient levels. Based on the results, she introduced organic amendments, including compost made from household waste and manure sourced from a nearby farm.
    • Biochar: Biochar was incorporated to improve soil aeration, retain moisture, and enhance microbial activity.

    3. Water Scarcity

    Sialkot’s periodic water shortages posed a challenge to maintaining the garden.

    • Rainwater Harvesting: Ms. Noor installed a rainwater collection system using barrels with mesh filters to prevent debris contamination. The collected water was stored for irrigation during dry periods.
    • Drip Irrigation: A gravity-fed drip irrigation system, created from low-cost PVC pipes, ensured efficient and targeted watering. Each raised bed was equipped with emitters for slow, consistent water delivery.

    4. Community Involvement and Education

    Many residents were initially sceptical about the benefits of gardening and lacked technical knowledge.

    • Workshops: Weekly sessions covered topics such as composting, soil health, pest management, and efficient watering techniques. Ms. Noor demonstrated practical methods, ensuring accessibility for all participants.
    • Task Allocation: Residents were divided into teams, each responsible for specific garden tasks like watering, composting, and planting, promoting collaboration.
    • School Integration: Students were engaged through hands-on activities, such as planting and maintaining vegetable patches, and fostering early environmental stewardship.

    The Initiative

    1. Establishing the Garden

    Ms. Noor partnered with local authorities to repurpose a vacant 500-square-meter lot into a community garden. With help from neighbours, the land was cleared and prepared for cultivation.

    2. Soil Revival

    • Soil Testing and Remediation: A soil test revealed low nitrogen and organic matter levels. Organic compost, prepared collectively by residents from kitchen and garden waste, was used to enrich the soil.
    • Raised Beds: To improve drainage and maximize yield, raised garden beds were built using recycled bricks and filled with nutrient-rich soil.

    3. Water Management

    • Rainwater Harvesting: A rainwater collection system was installed, using barrels connected to nearby rooftops.
    • Efficient Irrigation: A drip irrigation system was set up, minimizing water use and ensuring consistent moisture for plants.

    4. Community Engagement

    • Workshops: Ms. Noor conducted weekly workshops on composting, crop rotation, and organic pest control to educate residents.
    • Collaborative Efforts: Residents were assigned specific tasks, such as watering, weeding, and compost management, fostering a sense of ownership.
    • School Participation: Students from Ms. Noor’s school joined the initiative, learning gardening techniques and participating in tree-planting drives.

    5. Plant Selection

    The garden was divided into zones for vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

    • Vegetables: Seasonal crops like carrots, radishes, spinach, and tomatoes were grown.
    • Herbs: Lemongrass, mint, and coriander added variety and functionality.
    • Native Plants: Flowers like sunflowers and jasmine enhanced the garden’s biodiversity and aesthetic appeal.

    Outcomes

    Environmental Impact

    • Green Space Creation: The garden transformed a neglected plot into a thriving green space, reducing the urban heat island effect.
    • Waste Reduction: Composting reduced household waste and diverted organic matter from landfills.
    • Improved Air Quality: The greenery contributed to better air quality in the surrounding area.

    Community Benefits

    • Food Security: The garden produced enough vegetables to supplement 20 families’ diets, reducing grocery bills.
    • Education and Awareness: Workshops improved residents’ understanding of sustainable practices, encouraging more households to adopt urban gardening.
    • Social Cohesion: The shared garden fostered collaboration and strengthened neighbourhood bonds.

    Economic Benefits

    • Cost Savings: By growing their produce, families save an estimated 30% on monthly food expenses.
    • Skill Development: Participants gained skills in gardening and sustainability, with some exploring opportunities to sell surplus produce.

    Conclusion

    Ms Ayesha Noor’s initiative in Sialkot highlights how urban gardening can address environmental challenges while fostering community development. The project’s success demonstrates the power of collective action, even in resource-limited settings. By creating a shared green space, the community not only improved their environment but also built a model for sustainable urban living. The Sialkot community garden project exemplifies how urban spaces can be revitalized to address environmental, social, and economic challenges. Ms. Noor’s initiative highlights the transformative power of community-driven efforts, especially in densely populated urban areas. Her use of innovative techniques such as rainwater harvesting, biochar, and raised beds provides a replicable model for other urban areas facing similar challenges. The project’s success has sparked interest in replicating such initiatives across Sialkot, proving that even small-scale urban gardens can have far-reaching impacts.