LAHORE CULTURAL DIARY: Scientific literature in Urdu

The cultural heritage of Muslim society is imbibed with the cherished values of seeking knowledge, vision and wisdom. It is indeed a sign of satisfaction that some of our public sector's segments have been doing well with regard to creating new channels aiming at the promotion of awareness and knowledge in the society.
The Urdu Science Board (USB) stands distinctive due to its persistent efforts to introduce scientific literature in national language - Urdu. A special briefing was held with the media this week to introduce the new projects of USB by its newly inducted director Dr Abdul Ghafoor Rashid an eminent educationist and intellectual.
It may be recalled that the USB was established under the name of 'Markzi Urdu Board' in 1962, which was later on renamed as 'Urdu Science Board' in 1982 under the administrative control of Federal Ministry of Education. The prime objective of the board rests with the promotion of scientific knowledge in national language (Urdu).
It has so far published hundreds of books on a variety of subjects relating to different scientific faculties. During last year it published 20 new titles and 24 reprints. It also prepared and provided charts and manuals required for teacher's training programmes to different educational centers of the country. Under a joint project with the UNESCO the board has published 10 booklets on scientific and technical subjects for the consumption of students and teachers. The USB has also provided one hundred thousand books under the project of school libraries to the government of the Punjab.
It is known that USB has been working on a very prestigious project of publishing an encyclopedia in 150 volumes on the ecosystem of Pakistan. It would prove a useful instrument of knowledge for students, teachers and researchers as well.
Under the co-operation of National Museum of Science and Technology the USB has also been working on conversion of 10 documentaries on various scientific subjects into book form. These books would also be carrying pictorial and graphic illustrations for the readers.
USB has been endeavouring for the promotion of technical and scientific knowledge through its publications. Now it is the obligation of the society, parents and teachers to motivate kids and students for seeking scientific and technical pursuits. For this purpose art and cultural events based on scientific themes should be organised at educational institutions with regular periodicity, media could also play a vital role in this regard.
GREEN CULTURE The bosses of the metropolitan city have planned a package of grooming the green culture in the province with the tree plantation drive during the ongoing monsoon season. Over 31 million saplings are available to be planted within few weeks. Mian Mahbur Rehman, Chief Forest Conservator resolved that with the active participation of masses, civil society, district governments and media the cherished target would be achieved.
During the plantation drive the department would plant 11.84 million saplings in Lahore centre zone consisting Lahore, Gujranwala and Faisalabad divisions. The southern zone having Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions would have the share of 4.36 million saplings to be planted in the area.
The northern zone with Rawalpindi division would have 4.42 million saplings. It is interesting to know that the forest department has included poplar, eucalyptus, ornamental and fruit plants in its package of monsoon forestation. It is indeed an appreciative initiative to launch tree plantation drive during monsoon season every year. We are in a dire need of a balanced ecosystem for healthy environmental culture in the country. But as per the past experience yearly plantation in monsoon season seems a routine matter without a moving spirit behind it in the lethargic circles of our bureaucracy.
The concerned departments come up with pompous packages of tree plantation, announcements are made to distribute millions of saplings, and this practice has been on for many years.
With such a persistent drive of plantation our country would have reached to the maximum level of forestation required for a balanced ecosystem. But we see the ground realities altogether different and mostly deplorable. We have been lacking even the minimum level of forestation in the country.
This state of affairs alarmingly requires us to examine the ongoing procedure of plantation and particularly the post plantation care. Have the concerned department ever thought over it. If so what remedial steps it had taken. It is believed nothing has been done positively in this direction. With this perspective what could we expect out of a routine tree plantation drive. If we desire to translate our dream of a green culture in the country then some new mechanism of forestation must be adopted. Nothing could be done without the spirited participation of all the segments of the society. It is very easy to plant a sapling but the real obligation is the post plantation care in a persistent manner.
Meanwhile President Zardari also emphasised the importance of forestation and green culture in the country. He invited civil society organisations, farmers, students and private sector to come forward and make the country a lush green landscape on this planet. The President himself planted a sapling of 'neem' tree in the presidency to coincide the monsoon plantation drive in the country.
Heritage safety
The city of Lahore has been the abode of many civilisations since time immemorial. This fact contributed in making a massive volume of heritage here.
There are several monuments scattered either in outskirts or inside the walled city. It is our national obligation to look after the precious heritage. The most significant among those are Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, tombs of Noor Jahan and King Jahangir, Choburji, Masjid Wazir Khan, Shahi Hamam and many other architectural sites. No doubt these icons of heritage were made of very solid material but with the passage of time they become vulnerable to depletion.
The conscientious circles demand a comprehensive plan of proper maintenance of archaeological sites, monuments and icons of cultural heritage in the city. There are some complaints about the cracks occurred in several heritage sites, which could lead to some serious deterioration. It may be recalled that in recent past the Jahangir Quardrangle in Lahore Fort was fallen to ground due to heavy monsoon rains. It is feared that some historical structures at Lahore Fort are also in bad condition and thus require immediate review for proper maintenance. These include royal kitchens, Jahangir Qardrangle, haveli Mai Jindan and Makatib Khana etc in the Fort. The concerned department is engaged in some maintenance work at Shalimar Gardens and tomb of Jahangir with meager financial resources.
It may be recalled that in civilised societies a huge amount is allocated for the proper maintenance and up keep of the heritage sites. In our country however this segment of historical significance always lacks proper financial as well as technical support from the government and the society alike. Could we take some positive steps towards the conservation of our precious heritage.