ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Monday directed Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to participate in Tree Plantation Campaign and contribute in Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund being established by Supreme Court of Pakistan to combat on-going water crisis and environmental degradation. According to the letter which has been sent to vice chancellors, rectors and leaders of all public and private sector universities, the HEC directed HEIs to be an active part of greener Pakistan movement by initiating Tree Plantation Campaign in their respective campuses. One of the primary reasons of instructing universities is to ‘play their part in HEC’s resolve to involve universities in fight against socio-economic issues including water crisis and environmental degradation’. The letter reads, “every student and member of the university should plant one tree to contribute to this effort.” It advises that every plant should be tagged with the name of student or staff member who planted it and they should take care of plant till 8 weeks. “This will ensure better survival of the trees planted and inculcate a sense of responsibility in those who spend a few minutes of their day to nurture it,” the letter explains. Universities should allocate proper place for each department for plantation, keeping in mind that plants would not be damaged during construction activities, advises the letter. Referring to Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund, HEC says that each and every HEI should ensure that a minimum of one day salary be contributed to the fund. HEC staff will also contribute to the fund.