Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor Prof Naima Khatoon inaugurated a Children’s Park in the Medical Colony area of the university and launched a massive plantation drive by planting saplings in the park. These programmes were organized by the Department of Lands and Garden, AMU to mark World Environment Day.

Prof Khatoon said that the park provides a vibrant space to nurture a love for nature and environmental consciousness in children. She said that this space will serve as a valuable resource for them to connect with nature and feel the blessings that Mother Nature has given to us.

The guests of honour, AMU Registrar, Mohommad Imran and the DSW, Prof Rafiuddin said that the park will help foster a sense of wonder in children towards nature and the environment.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, the Member Incharge, Lands and Garden, Prof Zaki Anwar Siddiqui said that the Department of Land and Garden has relentlessly been engaged in the development and landscaping of the University campus. It has developed several locations on the sprawling campus, including the area around Centenary Gate, Begum Musharraf Jahan Rose Garden at Sir Syed House and G20 Garden at Tar Bungalow, which stands as a testament to the department’s dedication to creating a greener and healthier campus for all.

He said that the Children’s Park is spread over about 5000 square meters of area and provides a stimulating environment for children to play, with specially designed play elements such as swings and See Saw, Slide, etc.

The Associate Member Incharge, Dr Tariq Aftab said that the saplings of plants which were planted today included Callistimonviminalis, Cassia fistula, Cassia siamea, Schleicheraoleosa, Mimusopselengi, Ficus sp., Plumeria, Rat ki Rani, etc.

He said that Prof Veena Maheshwari, Principal of JNMC, Prof RK Tiwari, Principal of Dr ZA Dental College, Prof MM Sufyan Beg, Principal of ZH College of Engineering and Technology, Prof Nayyar Asif, Prof Shakeel Ahmad, Prof Salma Ahmad, Prof Samina Khan, Prof Shaukat Haseen, Prof Ghulam Sarwar Hashmi, Prof Najam Khaliq, Prof Imtiaz Ashraf, Dr Ajmal Kafeel and Dr Abul Fazal took part in the plantation drive.