LAHORE: (Friday, March 22, 2024): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood has said that the massive forestation is the need of the hour in the region for clean water, pleasant environment and to deal with the challenges faced by climate change.

He was addressing a seminar organized by Punjab University regarding World Water Day at Al Raazi Hall here on Friday. Later, the participants participated in an awareness walk from the undergraduate block to the admin block ground under the leadership of PU VC Dr Khalid Mahmood started the tree plantation campaign in PU by planting saplings named after them. On this occasion, former Minister of Health Dr Saeed Elahi, MPA Zeb-un-Nisa, Nasir Bholoo, Convener Tree Plantation Campaign / Dean Faculty of Geosciences Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmed, heads of departments, faculty members, administrative officers, employees and a large number of students were present.

In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood said that in light of the environment-friendly policies and instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, environment week has been observed in various departments of Punjab University. He said that the responsibility of conducting awareness programs for creating a pleasant environment and a civilized society rests on the universities. He said that an attempt has been made to send a message to the world through the program organized by the PU regarding the importance of clean water and trees. He said that the temperature of PU remains 2 degrees lower due to trees and greenery. He said that after the success of Invention to Innovation Summit and Book Fair organized by PU administration in recent days, people’s expectations have increased after many years.

Dr Saeed Elahi said that contaminated water cause various diseases. He said that more than 3 billion people in the world are deprived of clean water. He said that fortunately Pakistan is among the countries whose underground water is clean and no filter is needed. He said that we have to play a role to provide a pleasant environment to our future generations. Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmed said that the world’s system cannot run without water. He said that the first water testing lab has been set up at CEES with the approval of regulators in which water samples will be tested for free. He said that according to the vision of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, a special seminar has been organized on the eve of World Water Day with the theme of ‘Water for Peace’ and a tree plantation campaign has been started to combat smog. He said that PU was moving forward with the slogan ‘One Student One Tree’. He said that free plants will be provided to all the departments of PU so that every street, neighborhood and house can grow greens. He said that to reduce smog and air pollution from Lahore, tree planting campaign should be successful.