Tree plantation campaign launched at KMU

The institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IBMS), Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar took the initiative of a tree plantation drive in joint collaboration with Public Health Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a way to address global warming and future water crisis.

The inaugural ceremony of the first phase of tree plantation campaign was held on 13th August to celebrate the 71st Independence Day of our beloved country for a “Green Pakistan” with a plantation of 150 trees at main campus of KMU. The campaign is being launched for environmental protection and sustainability. Different varieties of tree saplings were planted during the first phase. A variety of tree saplings were generously contributed by Tarnab Farms, KP Public Health Association and Dr. Shazia Naz for the cause.

Participants in the tree plantation included KMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Arshad Javaid, DG Health KP Dr. Ayub Roze, Principal Gajju Khan Medical College , Prof Dr. Muhammad Zubair Khan, Resident Editor Daily Dawn Muhammad Ismail Khan, Registrar KMU Dr. Saleem Gandapur, Senior health administrators, Project Director Social Health Protection Initiative Dr. Riaz Tanoli, Independent Monitoring Unit KP Dr. Shahzad Faisal, DO P&C Nowshehra Dr. Abu Zar, Technical focal person PEI Dr Imtiaz Ali, DD SHPI Dr. Bashir Ahmed, Dr. Obaid Ur Rehman Principal PHS, Representatives from International health agencies, Dr. Johar, Dr. Bashir Ahmad and Ms Durr-e-Nayab from UNICEF, Dr. Sardar Hayat and Dr. Sadia Ishfaque WHO, Chairperson PHA KP Dr. Saima Abid and Dr. Tauseef Ismail joined hands together to give back to the land by planting tree saplings.

The host Dr. Zilli Huma Director IBMS welcomed the esteemed guests on behalf of the university and thanked them for their enthusiastic participation in the campaign. She also thanked the donors Dr. Saima Saleem and Dr. Shazia as well as Tarnab farms for their generous contribution of the young saplings and faculty, staff and students for their enthusiastic support.

While talking at the occasion VC KMU Prof. Dr. Arshad Javaid has said that these trees are an investment for the future generations that shall provide cleaner air to breathe. This is a sadqa jariah for generations to come. He said that as a result of climate change and global warming, we are experiencing severe heat waves for the last two years, which claimed more than 1000 lives. Environmental pollution and temperature is increasing every day with highest deforestation rate. Trees can serve as green shelter during extreme climate conditions thus making earth cooler for animal and human life. It provides cleaner air to breath. Plants to earth are like lungs to the human body. He hoped that these tree plantation drives will not only keep continue but this is our core responsibility to protect and keep care of the planted trees with true spirit and national cause. #