Every citizen has to play pivotal role in increasing plantation net in the country to fight climate changes, deforestation and environmental issues for development and prosperous Pakistan, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa.

He addressed tree-plantation campaign and a seminar titled "promoting social forestry" arranged by the Department of Forestry and Range Management, UAF at Paroka Farm Area under the HEC project promotion of social forestry in rural areas of Faisalabad to cope with climate changes. Faculty of Agriculture Dean Dr Asif Tavir, Director Farms Shahid Afzal Gill, Forestry Department Chairman Dr Tahir Siddique, Assistant Professor Dr Irfan Ahmad, Principal Officer Estate Management Dr Laeeq Akbar Lodhi and others notables also spoke on the occasion. The students of the department also planted 200 plants in two minutes at the farm. The Vice Chancellor lauded the steps being taken on the part of government launching Green and Clean Pakistan in order to add up 10 billion plants across the country. He said that plantation was prerequisite fight the challenges of climate changes and to ensure clean environment. He said that collaborated efforts will increase the green cover and protect biodiversity in the country. He stressed upon the need to boosting up steps against deforestation, causing global warming in the world. He directed the university officials to introduce best technologies and best practices in the farms, enabling the farming community to multiply it and to ensure the food security in the country. He said that different plants pocket will be established at the campus. He said that planting a tree was Sadqa-e-Jaria. Dean Agriculture Dr Asif Tavir said that international standards of forest net in the country was 25 percent whereas, it stands less than four percent in the country. He said that the government initiatives of 10 billion plantations are hallmark step that will address the issue. Shahid Afzal Gill said that the demonstration area for the farming community was being set up at the farm for motivating them to adopt it. He said that the university was the lush green area that will be made much greener. Dr Tahir Siddiqui stressed upon the need to create the awareness among the people about the importance o the plantation and the challenges of climate changes and depleting ozone issue, the world is facing. He added that the UAF was making all out efforts in the drive of forestation . Dr Irfan Ahmad said that they had planted 50,000 plants in the different places and villages . He said that they had identified 10 more villages whereas they would start working on the plantation. Every ninth woman in the country is at risk of breast cancer and it kills 40,000 women every year in Pakistan. It was echoed at an awareness walk and seminar held on breast cancer arranged by Institute of Home Science, UAF; in collaboration with the Punjab Higher Education Commission; Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital and Ribbon Youth Awareness Program. The also took out a rally commenced from New Senate Hall and culminated at Iqbal Auditorium. The walk was led by UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa while Dean Faculty of Food Sciences Dr Masood Sadiq Butt, Institute Director Dr Ayesha Riaz, Dr Nimrah from Shoukat Khanum, Senior Tutor Dr Athar Javed and other notables attended the meeting. Dr Zafar Iqbal said the most of cases here were not diagnosed in time due to unawareness and cultural taboos that drive women to keep the cancer a secret. He viewed that 40,000 women die every year in the country due to breast cancer. Unluckily, in Asia, Pakistan has the highest rate of breast cancer,” He said in our society, women avoid going to a hospital for screenings and checkup or discuss the disease even within their family. He said the steps are needed to fight the taboo from the society He said better education/awareness of the disease and a healthy diet comprising fresh vegetables and fruits can help reduce risk of breast cancer. Dean Faculty of Food Sciences Prof Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that if cancer was detected at early stages, chances of survival increases manifold. He said that the breast cancer is becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths. He said that young women are more frequently reporting with the cancer in the country. He said that balanced diet help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Dr Ayesha Riaz urged the participants to self-examine and arrange a checkup every year to avoid the risk. She said literacy, education and information can play a vital role in decreasing the outbreak of decrease. Dr Athar Javed said illiteracy, social taboos and the myths are the great hindrance in early detection, which impedes diagnosis and treatment. Dr Nimrah called for giving special attention to the issue to control its spread in the country. She stressed upon the need to make the proper check-up for prevention and the early treatment of the disease.