Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad hosted a World Soil Day event organised by the Plantarians Association, Department of Plant Sciences in collaboration with the GYM and the Plant Ecology & Conservation Lab. The programme, held under the theme "Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities", gathered faculty, researchers and more than 200 students to spotlight the role of soil in urban wellbeing.
Prof. Dr. Shujaul Mulk Khan, focal person for the event, explained how healthy soils regulate urban temperature, absorb and filter water, support biodiversity and improve air quality. He warned that soil sealing and rapid urban expansion threaten these functions and urged stakeholders to prioritise soil-friendly urban design.
Prof. Dr. Irfan Zia Qureshi, Dean of Biological Sciences, discussed the Urban Ecosystem Services provided by soil, emphasising how Healthy Soils beneath cities contribute to cooling, flood mitigation and carbon storage—services that enhance resilience in Islamabad and other Pakistani cities.
Prof. Dr. Mumtaz Shah, Chairman of the Earth Sciences Department, outlined the pressures from urbanisation, including soil contamination and loss of permeable surfaces, and called for targeted measures to protect and restore soil functions.
Prof. Dr. Hassan Javed Chaudhry urged practical steps such as sustainable urban planning, expanding green spaces, restoring degraded land and investing in green infrastructure to secure healthier urban living. President of the Plantarians Association, Mr Azhar Sultan, also addressed the gathering before participants set out on an awareness walk across the QAU campus.
Speakers stressed that promoting Healthy Soils is essential for building greener, more resilient cities in Pakistan, and encouraged continued collaboration among policymakers, scientists and citizens to safeguard urban soil resources.
