International Workshop: "Plant Conservation & Reversing Desertification: A Way Forward" Oct. 12-13, 2009

A two days workshop was organized under the project collaboration of Department of Environmental Sciences with the Institute of Agro-Environmental and Forest Biology (IBAF), National Research Council (CNR), Italy. Workshop contained four technical sessions. Besides an eminent scientist from Italy, Dr. Mauro Centritto who is the backbone of the project, scientist from USA, UK and China also delivered their research papers regarding conservation, combating desertification and climate change which are the most serious issues of today.

More than hundred participants including academicians, researchers, mid-level government policy makers and/or extension agents in agriculture came from all over the country to attend the workshop. Dr. Mubarak Ali, Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Board (PARB) in his speech of concluding session greatly encouraged the organization of such workshops and seminars. He further stressed that Pakistan researchers must work with foreign scientists and young generation must avail the opportunity to work with the foreign researchers and come up with better solutions. The house recommended and emphasized on introduction of suitable crop/ plant/ tree in dry land areas which could grow well in extreme climate and stable organic matter for water conservation and soil health.

Whether we live upstream or downstream, we are all in the same boat. We share the responsibility for managing the world’s transboundary waters for current and future generations. This year on World Water Day United Nations called attention to the waters that cross borders and link us together. To join hands with global community efforts, the Department of Environmental Sciences, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi organized various activities to mark the World Water Day at the varsity campus which included display of Posters and Banners, distribution of Thematic Flags, and a seminar highlighting the theme of the year i.e. Transboundary Waters: Sharing Waters, Sharing Opportunities. Large number of faculty members and students participated in the World Water Day celebrations. Posters prepared by students of Environmental Sciences were pasted outside the main seminar hall.

Dr. Khalid Riaz Foreign Professor HEC, having diverse experience in Natural Resource Management and Economics, presented the lecture focusing on major water issues of Indus River Basin and also highlighted the water shortage in our agriculture as well as the over utilization of underground water aquifers referring it to a serious environmental threat. He said that there is a strong need to establish an authority with special focus on Water Management in Pakistan as there is no specialized department working in this direction. The Second speaker was Mr. Richard Garstang, National Programme Manager, Pakistan Wetlands Programme, who elaborated the outlines of Pakistan Wetlands Programme. He said that Water issues are not just shared at Transboundary level but it is also a point of concern among the provinces of Pakistan. Pakistan's water resources are rich in biodiversity but need to be taken under careful consideration and international instruments must be implemented in their real spirit.

The Department of Environmental Sciences organized a lecture titled "Technical Issues Involved in Approval of GMOs" on January 28, 09. Dr. Yusuf Zafar T.I., Project Director, National Institute for Genomics & Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB), NARC-PARC Islamabad was the speaker who scholarly elaborated various aspects of GMOs with respect to Environmental Impact. He said, among current cchallenges, food security has shackled the economies of many developing countries. Genetic Engineering can provide solution to the problem by producing Genetically Modified Food which has been used by many countries. However, there are several implications of using GMOs and in particular environmentalists raised many key issues with respect to Gene Flow-conservation, as well as biodiversity-coexistence. He also talked about different Legislative Issues related to the environmentally safe transfer of GMOs. Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR, Deans / Directors and large number of students also attended the lecture.

Students of the department celebrated World Environment Day on June 5, 2008 and participated in activities arranged by the department that included Display of Flyers on Environmental Issues, a photographic Competition and Seminar.

An international workshop was organized on "Carbon and Water Exchange in Plants under Changing Climatic Conditions" in collaboration with the Institute of Agro-Environmental and Forest Biology (IBAF) National Research Council of Italy on November 05, 2007.