Tree saplings were planted at the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Jinnah Campus on Thursday by faculty, staff, and students as part of the "Plant for Pakistan" campaign initiated by the Government of Pakistan on the International Day of Forests, observed worldwide on March 21. Vice Chancellor Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathore inaugurated the event by planting a Baid Palm sapling. Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Nadia Naseem and Registrar Professor Sarah Ghafoor followed suit by planting Lady Palm and Star Ficus plants, respectively.
The University aims to plant approximately 1,000 trees during this initiative. Addressing the faculty and students, UHS VC emphasized the numerous benefits of trees, highlighting their role in releasing oxygen, absorbing unpleasant odours, and purifying the air by removing harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. He also stressed their importance in protecting against dangerous ultraviolet rays, providing food, and their pivotal role in preventing soil erosion, maintaining ecological balance, and mitigating the effects of global warming.
He urged each student to plant a tree and nurture it until graduation.
Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathore also inaugurated an Environment Protection and Horticulture Society led by Dr. Shah Jahan.