LOWER DIR: A two-day international conference brought together experts, scholars and researchers from across Pakistan and abroad to discuss the recent advancement in zoology in the context of climate change.

The conference titled ‘Recent advances in zoology in the era of climate change’ was organised at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University (SBBU) Sheringal with the support of Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre.

The event focused on the impact of climate change on zoology and the latest scientific advancement in the discipline. The participants of the conference discussed the threats posed to wildlife, biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems.

The inaugural session was attended by Vice-chancellor Prof Mohammad Shahab, Registrar Dr Ataullah, Prof Abdul Khaliq Jan, faculty members, administrative officers and researchers from various universities. Foreign experts Dr Francisco Carlos Ferreira Junior and Erika Martin Braga joined the proceedings online.

Addressing the opening session, speakers described climate change as one of the most pressing challenges faced by zoology. They said that rising temperatures, melting glaciers and seasonal imbalances were rapidly affecting wildlife habitats.

They said that migration patterns of birds had already begun to shift while aquatic life was also facing serious threats due to changing environmental conditions.

Prof Shahab said that incidents of glacial lake outburst floods in Pakistan were causing severe damage to riverine ecosystems and pushing several species closer to extinction.

He said that academic forums were need of the hour to address environmental crisis through research and scientific collaboration.

Experts will present research papers during various technical sessions of the conference, aimed at promoting academic exchange and opening new avenues for future research.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026