Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 21: In an initiative to reclaim the low-lying wasteland on the University Campus, Vice-Chancellor University of Jammu (JU), Professor Umesh Rai inaugurated the land reclamation drive.
In the first phase of the drive, land adjacent to the Vice-Chancellor lodge was reclaimed and planted with diverse saplings of fruit trees which included mangoes, mosambi, lemon, oranges, guava, custard apple, papaya, falsa, litchi, malta, etc.
The Vice-Chancellor lauded the efforts of the convener and members of the Arboriculture and Landscaping Committee, the Landscape Development Officer, and the whole staff of the Arboriculture and Landscaping Unit for the implementation of this significant initiative. He emphasized the need for fruit tree plantations to attract varieties of birds besides numerous other benefits.
There are some additional patches of land on the University campus that will be reclaimed and beautified in the coming days. Padma Shri Prof Dinesh Singh, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, Chancellor KR Mangalam University and Vice-Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Council was the chief guest on the occasion. They appreciated the various green initiatives adopted by the University of Jammu.
Prof Bechan Lal, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu was also present on the occasion. Prof Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs; Prof Meena Sharma, Dean Planning; Prof Neelu Rohmetra Director, DDE; Prof Arvind Jasrotia, Registrar, Prof Prakash Antahal, Dean Students Welfare; Prof Piyush Malaviya convener, Arboriculture and Landscaping Unit, Dr Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, Sports & Physical Education along with other faculty members, officers, Dr Rakesh Chib, president, Non-Teaching Employees Union and Pankaj Gupta, general secretary, Non-Teaching Employees Union graced the occasion.