The International Day for Biological Diversity was observed on May 22 at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, the UNESCO, the Higher Education Commission and Al-Sadiq Desert Welfare Organisation.
Several events were organised to highlight the day’s importance.
Islamia University Vice Chancellor Muhammad Mukhtar spoke the theme for this year, Water and Biodiversity. He stressed on the need for research of rare species of flora and fauna in Cholistan.
Water was essential to secure the biodiversity of Cholistan, he said. The desert was home to many rare species of plants and wild animals, he said, they needed to be explored and preserved. “We need to continue our struggle to ensure the provision of water to Cholistan,” he said.
Life was harsh for all those the Cholistan was home to, said the VC.
The public and private sectors must work together to search for a solution to the water scarcity problem there, he said.
The university, he said, had begun a research project on the issue. “We will contact national and international organisations for help in looking for a viable solution to the problem,” said Mukhtar.
A seminar on Earth Protection was also held on the occasion. Professor Qurratulain, of the Geography Department, discussed her paper on biodiversity in Cholistan. She highlighted various aspects of life in the desert and the geography of the area. She presented several proposals to provide water to those living in the desert.
Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies Director Shazia Anjum’s paper discussed that while two-thirds of the world was covered with water, only 3 per cent of that was potable. “We need to save this water from going to waste,” she said.
Concerted efforts were required to preserve rare herbs and wildlife in the desert, said Anjum, otherwise they would become extinct.
Several students from the Islamia University Model School presented tableaux and speeches highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity. They were greatly appreciated by the audience.
Recruitment Drive
Habib Bank Limited organised a recruitment drive at the university on Friday. As many as 150 students from the Islamia University and Bahauddin Zakariya University sat an online aptitude test given by a team from the bank’s Human Resource Department.
The Islamia University had forwarded 120 job applications on behalf of Commerce and Business graduates to HBL Bahawalpur’s regional chief.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2013.