The Indonesian embassy, in collaboration with the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), organised a seminar to sum up the progress and outcome of the research work on the trembesi tree conducted under the framework of the MoU singed between the embassy and the varsity earlier this year. Addressing the gathering, Indonesian Ambassador Ishak Latuconsina said the seminar was a strong manifestation of the commitment and desire of the two sides to enhance closer cooperation in academic and scientific research in protecting environment from global warming. Besides, the seminar was also intended at facilitating academic linkages and cooperation between the leading universities of the two countries, he added.
The envoy informed that the embassy had invited two faculty members from the Bogor Agriculture University, having specialisation in trembesi-tree and horticulture to participate to share their knowledge and expertise with the participants. He further said that the trembesi was the symbol of tree plantation campaign in Indonesia and had been chosen because it was considered a very effective in reducing global warming as it could consume up to 28 tons of carbon dioxide per year. He also highlighted the efforts of his wife, Butar Latuconsina, for spearheading the tree plantation campaign in Pakistan as she planted trees in various locations of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Taxila, Lahore, Chakwal, Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Mandi Bahauddin and Kasur through the campaign partners.
Earlier, Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan, the vice-chancellor of PMAS-AAUR, in his welcome address said climate change was a global phenomenon and affecting the humans, animals and plants around the globe. He further said that South Asian region was among the most-affected parts of the world because of a high degree of aridity and poor socio-economic conditions of a major segment of society.
He said the joint collaborative research project with the Embassy of Republic of Indonesia, which focused on studying various aspects of Trembesi tree including germination and establishment trials at the university, would determine its potential for large scale plantation at a later stage.
