Greener campus: Plantation drive kicks off at UAF

Speakers urge need to create awareness to end deforestation

FAISALABAD: In a bid to make the campus greener, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) initiated a plantation drive, a press release issued on Wednesday stated.

UAF Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Zafar was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. He planted a tree at the Post-graduate Agriculture Research Station (PARS), UAF.

He was flanked by Faculty of Sciences Dean Dr M Asghar Bajwa, Community College Principal Dr Haq Nawaz Bhatti, Research Director Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir, Principal Officer Dr Jalal Arif and other officials.

While speaking on the occasion, Iqbal Zafar said, “It is essential to increase plantation net to save environment from different hazards, including climate changes.”

He added that forest net in our homeland was only 4% whereas the international standard of forest net in a country stands at 25%.   “The situation is causing different problems, including climate changes and increasing pollution,” he maintained.

He pointed out, “Climate changes will intensify in coming years if we do not give due attention to environment.”

He said there was a need to create awareness among people about planting trees and end deforestation. He called for taking tangible steps with collective efforts on the part of all stakeholders.

Similarly, Dr Ijaz Bhatti said planting trees help in improving surroundings and reduce pollution.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2018.