OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE - The Government College University Horticulture Society on Wednesday staged a play Darakhton Ke Bhoot. The play revolves around the theme of deforestation and its consequences on environment and human lives. The play, written by GCU BS (Honors) Electronics student Haroon Mehmood, opens in a peaceful and healthy environment of a village where people are happy, kind and active. The situation starts changing as soon as the village Chaudhry allows industrialists to cut trees and construct factories. The encounters amongst the characters are both witty and insightful. The play is also an open criticism on fake spiritual leaders who fool others for money. The play raises criticism on the greedy nature of humans who sacrifice common welfare of the society for their vested interests. GCU Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Prof Dr Khalid Pervaiz, appreciated the efforts of GCU Horticulture Society. He said GCU had the longest history of art and literature among all the educational institutions of Pakistan. In 1890s during the tenure of Prof Bell and Dallinger as Principals of the college, scenes from Shakespearian plays were staged here. By the turn of the century, GC Dramatics Club not only was staging English plays but also staged plays in Sanskrit, Urdu and Punjabi. In 1902, the Club performed Kali Dass Shakuntala, the play was such a big success that it was performed next year again, he added. Pervaiz said that during 1940s, the club rapidly developed and it was mainly due to the association of Prof GD Sondhi and Prof Ahmad Shah Bukhari Pitras. GCU Horticulture Society Adviser Prof Dr Zaheeruddin said the play was aimed at raising awareness among the students about environmental pollution and importance of trees. He said that global climates were changing rapidly. Ozone layer is depleting because through the years, people have been doing activities that harm the environment. There is a need to mobilise students to raise their voice against the anti-environment activities. GCU students and faculty have planted 10,000 in last couple of months as their share to save environment, he added. The cast of the play includes Haroon as Chaudhry Sahib, Iqra as Mrs Chaudhry Sahib, Moaz Saeed as Naseehat Aapa, Sarah as Sobia Boota, Ahmed and Sohaib as servants, Bilal Ibrahim as Shehri Babu, Humaira Shahzadi as Witch, Muhammad Ahmad as Ali, Osama as village boy and Adnan Ahmed as Sayin Gum Baba. Fatima, Iqra and Farha played the roles of village girls. The play was followed by a musical evening in which members of the GCU Nazir Ahmed Music Society gave rocking performances.