Academic Programs
Department of Environmental Sciences
Official WhatsApp No.: 03006638177
Official Contact No.: +92619210405
Official Email Address: envr.chairman@bzu.edu.pk
Departmental Student Advisor: Dr. Muhammad Dawood, Dr. Adeela Altaf
Departmental Examination Incharge: Dr. Adeela Altaf
Department of Environmental Sciences has been established in June 2010 keeping in view the pivotal importance of this subject in Pakistan. This subject has gathered a high reputation all around the world due to its applied nature. Environmental science is a cosmopolitan subject because it deals with various disciplines like chemistry, physics, botany, zoology, geology, geography, and public health etc. It focuses on the sources, reactions, transport, effects and fate of physical and biological species in the air, water and soil along with the effects of human activity upon these. Air, water, land, and noise pollution constantly imperil quality of life and damage the pristine environment. World today is facing serious environmental crisis, for instance, increase in the heat budget of the earth, depletion of non-renewable resources, air pollution, pollution of surface & ground waters, heavy metal pollution, massive destruction of habitats, deforestation, mining, over-fishing and radiation pollution. Ecosystem of earth is very fragile, and man’s tampering with it may, in the end, make the earth unlivable, not only for man but for all life forms.
Environmental pollution drastically reduces the productivity of plants, and is primarily involved in causing several illnesses to the humans: ranging from breathing disorders, cancer, stomach upset, skin allergies, cardiovascular problems, neurobehavioral ailments, kidney damage, typhoid, hepatitis, and most of the enteric & diarrheal diseases due to transmittance of microorganisms via the contaminated water. Atmospheric climate of major cities of Pakistan is also in grave danger due to unchecked noxious emissions by motor traffic, industries and other sources. Hence, Pakistan is plagued with a multitude of environmental problems that needs urgent attention and appropriate action to save the environment for better tomorrow. Department of Environmental Science herein BZ University, Multan will contribute devoted and skilled manpower to address the environmental problems of the country on scientific grounds. Parallel to research activities, graduates from this discipline will impart their knowledge at graduate and postgraduate levels at various educational institutions of Pakistan and abroard.
Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on the effects of pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals on living organisms. These substances can alter physiological processes, damage tissues, and disrupt metabolic pathways in plants, animals, and humans. Studying physiological responses helps us to identify stress indicators, tolerance mechanisms, and long-term health impacts of toxic exposure. Soil–plant relationships are central to ecosystem productivity and food security. Soil properties regulate nutrient availability, water uptake, and root development, directly influencing plant growth and resilience. Environmental pollutants in soil can interfere with nutrient absorption, reduce crop yields, and introduce toxins into the food chain. Soil microbiology plays a vital role in maintaining soil health through nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and pollutant degradation. Microorganisms can detoxify contaminants, enhance plant resistance, and restore degraded soils, making them critical to sustainable environmental management. Together, research in these interconnected fields supports the development of pollution control strategies, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection policies. Understanding these linkages is essential for protecting ecosystems, human health, and long-term environmental stability. The individual reseach profiles of the faculty membrs is given below.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arif Ali is Professor of the Department of Environmental Sciences at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. His research focuses on soil microbiology, mycorrhizal symbiosis, nutrient cycling, soil pollution, and plant stress physiology. He obtained his doctorate degree from Montpelier, France. He has completed postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst under Swiss Government and Fulbright scholarships. Prof. Ali has led multiple nationally funded projects and published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing to sustainable agriculture, environmental quality, and climate-resilient agro-ecosystems.
Dr. Muhammad Dawood is an Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences. He holds a PhD in Crop Science from Zhejiang University, China, and has postdoctoral research experience at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on environmental toxicology, plant stress physiology, climate-resilient crop production, and phytoremediation of heavy metals and organic pollutants. He leads an active ecotoxicology laboratory, supervising MS/MPhil and PhD research, and has published extensively in high-impact international journals. His work integrates plant physiology, biotechnology, and sustainable solutions for polluted and climate-stressed environments.
Dr. Adeela Altaf is an Assistant Profesor in Environmental Sciences with over 12 years of teaching and research experience at the postgraduate level. She holds a PhD in Environmental Physiology, with academic training in Botany and plant–environment interactions. Her research focuses on environmental physiology, wastewater and sewage impacts on plant growth, soil–plant relationships, and environmental pollution mitigation. Dr. Altaf has published 23 research papers, including 20 impact-factor publications, and has successfully supervised multiple M.Phil. theses. She has also served in key administrative roles, including Director Student Affairs and Library In-Charge.
Dr. Muhammad Nawaz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences. He holds a PhD in Plant Biology with a research focus on the impacts of heavy metals on soil microflora biodiversity. His research interests include ecotoxicology, soil–plant interactions, bioremediation, phytoremediation, ecosystem sustainability, and environmental pollution. Dr. Nawaz has extensive experience in supervising graduate research and has published widely in national and international journals. His work emphasizes sustainable environmental management, mitigation of metal toxicity, and the restoration of degraded ecosystems through nature-based solutions.