HYDERABAD: An extensive drive with a plan to plant one hundred thousand trees under the theme “I Plant Life” kicked off at Sindh University. Three hundred saplings were planted at the Institute of English Language and Literature of the varsity as a start-off episode, with the target to plant one hundred thousand more saplings in continuation over a stipulated span of eight months. Vice Chancellor Sindh University Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat inaugurated the drive by planting a sapling at the institute premises. The others who followed suit included noted Sindhi folk singer, music promoter and originator of the plantation idea Saif Samejo; who also is the pioneer of “the Sketches” musical band, SU incharge plantation Nabila Shah Jilani, Director STAGS Dr Sumera Umrani, Director IELL Dr Tariq Hassan Umrani, Conservator Forests Hyderabad Region Zafar Wassan, SU Media Office Incharge Dr Ghulam Ali Buriro, a sizeable number of teachers and a massive number of students and eco-lovers. Dr Burfat, in his address on the occasion, observed that incessant apathetic neglect and deforestation were the factors responsible for ecological deterioration and disaster, leading towards outbreak of fatal ailments and environmental ruin. “We must plant more and more trees to buffer and defeat the ever- growing threat to planet earth from climate hazards,” the vice chancellor said. He eulogized the magnanimous spirit of Saif Samejo who, he said, had approached him for SU collaboration to turn SU campus and suburbs into an oasis by planting thousand of trees there. “I readily welcomed Saif’s proposition, and here we are today; executing our plans. Here, I must commend the efforts of Nabila Shah, Dr Sumera Umrani, Tariq Hassan, plantation team and all other student volunteers who have one or the other way contributed towards befitting and successful organization of the event,” Dr Burfat said. Saif Samejo, in his comments on the occasion asserted that it was much easier to plant a tree but a lot more difficult it was to look it after, in the post- plantation phase through constant care. Samejo thanked the VC, SU plantation incharge, and others for the patronage of plantation project.