Environment; Pest and Predator Protected Low-Cost Green/ Shade House.
THE WAH GARDEN:
The Mughal Emperor Jehangir while traveling to Kashmir stopped at a small village near Hassanabdal. This village was named Jalalsar and was situated near a number of springs. “Wah, Wah, exclaimed the weary Emperor at the idyllic sight. From then on the village was renamed as Wah or “Wow” as the Americans would put it. Today the area is called the Wah Gardens as the Emperor had built a miniature Shalimar Gardens at the site. Belonging to this place, I always felt that our whole Country should be developed on similar lines. Why not Pak Gardens? With the help of Australian concept of Permaculture or permanent agriculture as well as demonstrated success of low cost Sub Soil Irrigation for our Barani areas, I have successfully developed a low cost, poverty alleviation kitchen garden. This unique structure is completely environment controlled and protected. Summer shading and winter cover with plastic (110 gm/m2) provides temperature control. Relief from heat is provided with sub-soil and misting irrigation. Inside the structure companion planting allows growing of vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs. The bed is built up with organic compost and is dug after the Mandela Garden design from Permaculture. The Geodesic Dome can be made from plastic or GI pipe or sticks (the wild mulberry rapidly overtaking natural vegetation in many Barani areas can be used). The entire structure can be readily and easily built in a matter of hours. This is so due to a carefully worked out step-by-step design and building guide. We are in the process of working out planting guides for various seasons for different Eco Regions. Primarily meant as a low cost kitchen garden for nutrition enhancement, the concept can be used for commercial growing. This is an example of intensive horticulture. With increasing aridity and high temperatures (40 degrees in April) the concept can provide stress relief for our plants. Conservation irrigation will save our precious water resource. As the bed is built up with organic compost the Wah Garden can be established on any type of surface no matter how poor or depleted. Size of the structure can be increased with simple multiplication to cover 6 to 10 square meters. Intricacy of design and complexity of structure is maintained while simplicity of erection is provided for through the use of a few simple aids such as stakes and string. This structure can be built attached to a house or tent and yet protected from chickens, birds and animals. The structure is not meant as a be all and end all, last word in development. Suggestions and input are welcome. Specifically information on companion planting for different Eco Regions is desired. I was operating a Non Profit, National Applied and Adaptive Research and Development NGO. The aim was to provide a way out for the poor masses. There is such a way! The Wah Garden can be established in conjunction with our low cost Khumbi Kulla or small Mushroom growing structure with environment control and simple humidifier and low cost, kerosene oil operated Kuruk Incubator. I have also developed a Low-Cost; Disaster-Proof; Super-Insulated Dome Home and use the structure for design of Energy Domes for Recycling Waste Water and capturing Methane for Alternate Energy. May I take this opportunity to add that we are fast approaching a crisis state. Despite my efforts over the last 25 years we are not making any headway in changing the attitude of our non-responsive Governments Civil & Military). Please sit up and face reality before it is too late. Our masses are suffering beyond the comprehension of the ruling elite. Do not do this to us!
Mirpur Kahalaan, Haripur, Shade House.
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