MUZAFFARABAD: A three-day conference on natural sciences, climate and biodiversity concluded here on Sunday with a resolve to cope with the challenges in these areas to make this planet a better place to live in.

“Keeping in view the fact that there is no planet ‘B’ the scientists have to work together for the betterment of the human beings” was the crux of the 2nd International Science Conference held under the aegis of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The conference recommended that protected area for massive ecosystem should be increased and inadequate management practices related to these issues should be changed immediately.

It called for construction of small dams along all streams and rivers in AJK to enhance ground water recharge that would subsequently increase the discharge of springs.

Protected area for ecosystem should be increased, speakers say

Deforestation was a burning issue that needed to be treated with free plantation all over AJK.

Similarly, garbage collection and management was also an urgent need of the hour, it added.

The conference noted that since most of the areas that housed maximum biodiversity were located along the Line of Control, the researchers were unable to ascertain enough biodiversity data there due to lack of access.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prof Dr Munir Uzturk from Turkey, who was guest of honour, termed the conference a big step towards international collaborations and shared knowledge.

He not only appreciated the quality of the research papers presented by young scholars but also the propitious atmosphere provided by the AJK university to the participants.

Chief guest, Vice Chancellor University of Management Sciences, Kotli, Dr Syed Dilnawaz Ahmed Gardezi appreciated the event for introducing new ideas and new plans through research papers and posters reflecting global issues in a scientific manner.

He also called upon the foreign delegates to play their role in mitigating the miseries of the people of India occupied Kashmir, who were being ruthlessly subjected to state sponsored terrorism for their quest for freedom.

Earlier, UAJK Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohamamd Kaleem Abbasi also spoke and expressed his gratitude to the national and foreign delegates for their participation in the conference as well as valuable contribution to its aims and objectives.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2018