KARACHI, Oct 26 Pakistan may face an Ethiopia-like situation in the coming years if no efforts are made to overcome worsening food, water and fuel shortages and increasing land degradation. In these hard times, the government needs to consider the successful results of research carried out on halophytes that offers solutions to many problems.
These were some of the important points made at a ceremony held on the campus to launch the establishment of the Unesco (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Chair in Sustainable Halophyte Utilisation at a Karachi University institute on Monday. Ironically, no initial capital, or seed money, was allocated for what was described as the first Unesco chair on halophytes in the world.
Highlighting the significance of the event, speakers said the initiative in a way was an acknowledgement of the high-quality research being done at the university in the relevant field.
“Pakistan is leading the world in halophyte research. Recently, the European Union's committee on science and technology has launched a programme on halophyte research. At the KU's Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilisation (ISHU), however, scientists have been engaged in research for over seven years and have achieved success in many areas,” said Dr M. Ajmal Khan, the director of ISHU.
What makes halophytes special
Briefing the audience on halophytes, Dr Ajmal said the plant had become a major focus of research over recent years throughout the world, especially in countries where increasing water scarcity, soil salinity, pollution, mismanagement of freshwater resources presented a bleak scenario for human development.
“Halophyte species that grow in saline soil on brackish water can be used in producing fodder for livestock, edible oil and bio-fuel as well as for medicinal purposes,” he said while explaining why more and more countries were turning to research on halophyte species.
At ISHU, he said, the species had been successfully utilised in producing fodder for livestock without compromising the meat quality. “With the help of this research, Pakistan can not only meet its meat and dairy product requirements, but can also earn foreign exchange,” he said, adding that good management was required to grow the grass, which was probably the best fodder grass for the sub-tropical regions of the world as it grew both in coastal and inland regions.
Halophytes, he said, grew all over Pakistan. With over 400 species, the country had almost 15 per cent of the total halophyte cover in the world.
Elaborating how halophytes can help reduce the import bill on edible oil, Dr Ajmal said the higher levels of unsaturated fats made the oil quality of halophytes comparable with conventional edible oils such as those extracted from sunflower and canola.
Halophytes, he said, were also proving a good source of bio-fuel as they did not need freshwater and fertile land for cultivation.
Prof Dr Javed R. Laghari, chairman of the Higher Education Commission, said Pakistan was fortunate to have both knowledge and resources for development and the need was to invest in science and technology.
“For two years, there have been cuts in both the development and recurring grants of universities. The government has now promised to increase funding, but it remains to be seen how much the research institutions actually get,” he said.
Praising Dr Ata-ur-Rehman's services, Dr Laghari said it was all because of his hard work that today foreign funding agencies had recognised HEC as an autonomous body and trusted it.
Prof Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, the KU vice-chancellor, stressed the need for a linkage between the research institutions and the industry, and said that universities needed to generate resources on their own.
Dr Shahana Urooj, the dean of the science faculty, and Prof Dr Bilquees Gul, assistant professor at the KU's botany department, also spoke.
No money for the chair
No initial funding has been provided to the Unesco chair by the HEC.
The launch had already been delayed for a year mainly on account of unavailability of funds. Still, no money is forthcoming and ISHU plans to raise funds through holding workshops and other means.
Under the four-year agreement that the KU signed with Unesco, all expenses for the chair's activities would be borne by the university. However, wherever possible, Unesco will try to provide 'seed money'. But for such a contribution a separate agreement is required to be signed.
The purpose of the chair is to promote an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation in the field of halophyte utilisation and eco-physiology.