Five-day international botany moot begins in Chitral

The conference has been organized by Department of Botany University of Chitral in collaboration with Islamia College University Peshawar and Pakistan Botanical Society. The conference was inaugurated by Dr Mary Elizebeth Bark Worth, Director Inter-mountain Herbarium Utah State University of Logan, USA, inaugurated the session. Project Director of Chitral University Prof Dr. Badshah Munir Bukhari welcomed all guests and scholars, especially experts who came from six foreign countries having PhD degrees on the relevant subject. Professor Dr Sirajuddin, Chairman Department of Botany University of Peshawar presented his paper (research thesis) on overview of climate change. He briefed the participants on how climate change in the world leaves its impact on plants and natural resources. Professor Dr Zhang Faqi, North West Institute of Plateau Biology Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented his paper on phylogeography and allopatric divergence of Lancea Tibetica (Mazaceae) on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau. Prof Dr. Rabia Asma Memon of the Institute of Plant Sciences University of Sindh read a paper on conservation of plant biodiversity of Thar desert through botanical gardens. Prof. Dr. Haider Ali, Department of Botany University of Swat, spoke on produces Chitral plant exploration. He said a vegetable cum medicinal plant carilluma tubercula locally known as Pamanky was a precious vegetable selling for Rs300 per kilogram which can improve our economic condition if grown on large scale. Prof. Dr. Tour Jan, Department of Botany University of Malakand, delivered his paper on Cryopreservation. He said this plant is remedy of cancer diseases and using for its treatment. Prof Zahoorul Haq from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad presented his paper on in vitro and in vivo propagation of monotheca buxifolia (falc) a compressive study. Prof. Dr. Mary Barkworth again presented her paper and research work on data sharing maximizing impact facilitating research and outreach. Deputy Commissioner Chitral hailed efforts of Prof Bukhari for conducting this international conference on documentation of plants and natural resources. He said that Chitral having rich potential of plants and natural resources but its need of exposing, research, as well as to introduce it on large scale. He said that these plants and natural resources not only play role in pleasant environment of Chitral but also can eradicate poverty if they use on commercial basis. A large number of scholars, students, teachers and people belonging to all walks of life participated in this fruitful conference. The conference will continue till April 2. –Gul Hamaad Farooqi]]>