MANSEHRA: Scientists at the inaugural session of an international symposium said on Friday that owing to the global warming, weather changes and population growth the treasures of flora and fauna, glaciers and forests are vanishing rapidly in Himalayan range and it is high time not only for Pakistan, but also for the world as a whole to come forward and preserve these treasures.

The Hazara University (HU) is hosting the three-day symposium on ‘Himalayas of Pakistan: Resources and Conservation Issues’. The inaugural session was addressed by HU vice-chancellor Dr Sohail Shahzad, dean sciences department Dr Habib Ahmad, Dr Munir Ozturk from Turkey, Women University Multan VC Dr Shahida Hasnain and Dr Khan Bahadar of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, Upper Dir.

“The Himalayan range, stretching over 3,000 kilometres from northern Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the northwestern and northeastern states of India, has been losing its natural charm and treasures because of rapid global changes and it is high time to preserve its treasures through effective measures,” said Dr Habib while explaining the objective of the symposium.

He said that as Himalayas accommodated the world’s highest mountain peaks, the Mount Everest and K2 and some of the world’s deepest river gorges like Indus, the effects were natural not only on ecosystem in Pakistan, but across the region. He said that Himalayas should be preserved to avoid rapid degradation of forests, glaciers and flora and fauna for pollution-free environment and water treasures.

He said that the HU’s Department of Genetics had great contributions to the society in terms of research and this conference was an effort to preserve precious treasures found at Himalayas.

Three-day symposium starts at Hazara University

Dr Munir Ozturk said that mountain ranges and rivers of his country were like the Himalayas and that feature of the high mountain range induced interest in him to attend this symposium.

“I have also written a book on high altitude flora and fauna, which is scheduled to be out in March next year, and to me Himalayas is a high mountain range rich with such precious herbs and shrubs which are very much important for treating serious ailments like cancers and might be preserved for betterment of humanity,” he said.

He said that climate change effects on high altitude ecosystem needed to be address for preservation of different species. He called for collaboration among national and international universities for joint research on issues affecting species and creatures at high altitude mountains. He said that the joint research should be used for the betterment of human beings and coming generations.

Dr Shahida said that the Himalayan region of Pakistan was famous for its unique endemic and threatened biodiversity.

Dr Sohail Shahzad said that HU, which is situated at the bed of Himalayans, was proud to organise an international conference which might pave the way for preservation of high altitude treasures. Over 300 researches from 10 different countries are participating in the event.

Published in Dawn, November 29th , 2014