Srinagar: Kashmir University Landscape Division (ULD) on Wednesday kick-started a plantation drive as part of its sustained initiative to make the varsity’s main and satellite campuses greener.
Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir inaugurated the plantation drive in the University Nursery by planting a seedling.
Addressing officials on the occasion, Dr Mir said the university administration, under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, is fully conscious of the need for augmenting the green spaces across the campuses, particularly the maintenance of Chinar Heritage Park at Naseem Bagh.
“The University Nursery will be upgraded with diversified plant material for its propagation and distribution of seedlings in the society at large,” he said.
The Kashmir University campus, known for its landscape beauty, harbours a rich diversity of floral wealth including heritage Chinar and deodar trees.
In an era of climate change, the KU is taking a lead in creating an environment-friendly and sustainable landscape across its campuses since the green infrastructure has become equally important as the physical infrastructure.
The University has recently bagged the District Green Champion Award 2021-22 from Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education, Ministry of Higher Education.
Head, Department of Botany, Professor Z A Kaloo, also participated in the inaugural plantation drive and assured full support to the ULD endeavors aimed at making the campuses greener.
Dr Anzar A Khuroo, Officer In-charge ULD presented a brief of various activities taken by the ULD recently. He also highlighted the challenges of transforming the University campus into a model sustainable landscape by achieving the goal of ‘carbon neutral campus’.
Akhar H Malik, Assistant Landscape Officer, ULD was also present and thanked the University administration for their full support to the ULD’s initiatives.