PESHAWAR, July 31: The Department of Archaeology and Museums, NWFP, Glasgow Natural History Society and the University of Glasgow, are holding an international conference on the ecological sustainability of communities in Hindu Kush, Pakistan, from Sept 6-8.

The conference would be held at the Baragali Summer Campus of the University of Peshawar and would address issues concerning remote environments like the Hindu Kush region. Experts would consider problems and potential solutions for the sustainability of present-day human, animal and plant communities besides assessing the importance of prehistoric and historic communities in these environments. Effects of changing climates and natural hazards would also be discussed.

Among experts who are expected to attend the conference include Luca Colliva, member of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan. He will read a paper on 'The Aspidal temple of Taxila: Old interpretation and new evidence.'

Rome-based IsIAO's Luca M. Olivieri will speak on 'Preliminary results of the 2004 survey campaign in the Kandak Valley and adjacent areas,' Dr Anna Filigenzi, of the same institute, will highlight 'New researches in Swat Valley,' Kenneth Macrae of the Helufsholm Skole, Denmark, will share 'Some thoughts on education in the Hindu Kush" and Dr Azra Meadows of the Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, will focus on 'Remote communities and their balance with the environment. Peter S. Meadows, of the same institute, will share research on 'Mountain climates, weather and archaeological record.'-PPI