Srinagar, Mar 25: The Kashmir University, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Riyaz Punjabi, on Thursday inaugurated a weeklong plantation drive in the varsity campus.
The drive has been organized by the university’s National Service Scheme, Landscape Development Division in collaboration with Rahim Greens. 
Addressing a gathering, Prof Punjabi said: “It’s my pleasure to inaugurate this weeklong drive, which should sensitize the civil society about the importance of planting trees.”
Prof Punjabi planted 20 different plant saplings on the occasion.
“It is our responsibility to promote such drives so that we can maintain that greenery in Kashmir for which this place is known the world over,” he said, while expressing concern over the “deteriorating water quality” in springs and lakes in the Valley. “I know of a Kashmir when we used to have rains and greenery in March. I feel sorry that our valley’s climate is changing with every passing day. The water from our taps used to be sweet. I was happy to see the same crystal clear water in Gurez, and also in Sonmarg.”
He said the civil society, government and other institutions need to work in tandem to create awareness about the important of planting trees.
More than 1000 saplings will be planted in the university campus during the drive while over 40,000 saplings will be planted by 10,000 student volunteers in colleges across the Valley.
“The saplings include Ornamental as well as timber-natured trees, including Magnolia soulangiana (Japanese Magnolia), pine saplings, cedrus deodara (Deodar tree), Cryptomeria japonica, magnolia grandiflora, and a variety of other species,” the KU PRO said.
The KU Registrar, Prof S Fayyaz, said the drive would send a message that the university was a place, which harnesses greenery.
“It is for the first time that a Vice Chancellor has taken up the challenge of converting Naseem Bagh into a heritage Park. It is a huge responsibility and only a person who has a passion for greenery and is concerned about the environment,” he said.
“Others who planted the saplings on the occasion include Northern Head Power Division (Mahindra & Mahindra), D S Bhatnagar, Prof S Fayyaz Ahmad, Dr. B A Wafai, , Dr. Iqbal A Hakim, Abdul Hamid, Director and CEO, Rahim Greens… Dr Shahid Rasool, Director EMMRC, Prof. Asifa Jan, Head of Department, Political Science, Principal Model School were also present on the occasion.”

Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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