About
Establishment
Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Jan Muhammad, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Turbat (UoT), and with the support of the university administration and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the University of Turbat (UoT) has inaugurated a digital wild garden, ever first garden of its nature in any Pakistani university. The garden was formally inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Abdul Saboor Baloch, Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities on 8th March 2024 during the Wild flower exhibition hosted by the Department of Natural and Basic Sciences.
Benefits
Each plant within the digital wild garden is systematically organized and labeled with QR codes, enabling easy access to information regarding their distribution in Balochistan, ecological significance, local names, uses, and conservation status. This brilliant use of technology will enhance the educational experience of students and faculty. The garden initially houses over 40 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees and occupies a strategically selected area within the university campus. The selected area offers a hospitable habitat to the local wildlife and is a natural passage of rainwater.
To disseminate information about the digital wild garden, a dedicated subdomain (https://uot.edu.pk/digital-garden) has been created on the university's official website. This platform is regularly updated with new insights, seasonal changes, and additional plants added to the garden. The University of Turbat's pioneering initiative in establishing a wild garden within the campus and harnessing QR code technology underscores the university's commitment to innovation, providing hands-on learning opportunities for students, and promoting environmental stewardship. These initiatives set a benchmark for other educational institutions and individuals across Pakistan to prioritize the protection and preservation of the country's natural heritage.
Management of Digital Garden
The Digital garden is being managed under the supervision of Dr. Iftekhar Baloch, Associate Professor (Botany) in the Department of Natural and Basic Sciences.
Future Plans
This initiative is intended to go a long way in educating and sensitizing the scientific community and the public at large about the significance of conserving our native plant resources. This will be helpful in ex-situ as well as in-situ conservation and will prove to be a step forward in conserving the botanical resources of the Makran region.
We look forward to developing a strong working relationship with the National Herbarium of Pakistan to work together in documenting the plant biodiversity of the Makran region and poorly explored areas in southern Balochistan.