Bahawalpur - Islamia University Bahawalpur Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Mukhtar has underlined the need for creating awareness among public about the protection of the wildlife particularly in Cholistan. He said joint efforts should be made by the public and private sectors in this regard.
He made the comment during a meeting with Punjab Forest, Livestock and Fisheries Secretary Maj (r) Shahnawaz Badar here at IUB on Friday.
Punjab Livestock Director General Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah and University College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Principal Dr Abdul Samad were also present on the occasion.
Dr Mukhtar emphasized on more research on the rare herbal, veterinary and birds species in Cholistan which were of great importance for the area and its people. A number of Cholistani plants can help a lot for medical treatment and many medicines could be made with more research and hard work on scientific lines as he has found a Cholistani plant quite effective for the cure of some diseases through his own research and if medicines could be started to made from Cholistani plants, we could earn sufficient foreign exchange through export of these medicines.
He informed that the IUB had given special attention towards research work at the university over the past two years with encouraging results. The IUB VC pointed out that a special Deer breeding farm had been established at Baghdadul Jadid campus of the university and more such farms for the breeding other Cholistani animals were being set up to preserve and protect these species.
Dr Mukhtar said that the University College of Agriculture and Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies were being engaged in different research activities to explore new discoveries.
On the occasion, the Punjab Forest, Livestock and Fisheries Secretary appreciated the views and contribution of the IUB VC and directed the officials of the departments to start joint research activities with the university to save the wildlife in Cholistan.
Later, Maj (r) Shahnawaz visited the IUB's Deer Breeding Farm and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and facilities.