RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CUVAS) Bahawalpur on Monday inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Combating Poverty and Climate Change Foundation (CPCCF) to develop a diversified forest-cum-grazing pasture at the varsity for the grazing of multi-species of animals.

CUVAS Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha and CPCCF Executive Director Ahsan Rashid signed the MoU in a ceremony held at the city campus of the CUVAS on Monday. Dean Faculty of Biosciences Prof Dr Habib-ur-Rehman, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences Business Management Prof Dr Muhammad Azam, CUVAS Project Director Dr Rizwan Yousaf, UVAS and CPCCF officials were present in the ceremony.

Under the MoU, approximately 100 acres of CUVAS land will be developed into a diversified forest-cum-grazing pasture for multi-species grazing. The grazing pasture will be made available for grazing to local and nomadic herders/shepherds for free-of-cost. The over-riding objective of the project will be to create a replicable model for sustainable development of vast tracts of dry lands in the country.

Prof Pasha while talking to media said it is very necessary to develop a diversified forest-cum-grazing pasture at the CUVAS for providing animal nutrients in the area. A large number of different types of plants and trees would be planted at the varsity under the initiative, he said, adding that a solar system is likely to be installed there to reduce energy expenses. “We are trying to get maximum output from the least input/investment,” he concluded.