Rawalpindi – Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) in collaboration with Sustainable Land Management Programme (SLMP) organised a seminar on ‘Combating Desertification in Pakistan’ and an awareness walk as well as tree planting to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), here on Thursday.
The WDCD is observed every year on 17 June to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.
Country Director, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza was the chief guest while Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR, National Programme Director (SLMP-II), Ishrat Ali, Hamid Marwat, National Programme Coordinator (SLMP-II), Prof Dr Maqsood Anwar, Dean Faculty of Forestry, Range Management and Wildlife, Prof Dr Sarwat N Mirza, Chairman Department of Forestry & Range Management of PMAS-AAUR, Deans, Directors, faculty members and large numbers of students were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the audience at the seminar, Country Director United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza emphasized to mainstream efforts for sustainable land management to combat desertification.
He said, “Desertification is a global phenomenon, affecting the livelihoods of 900 million people across the five continents and representing a third of worldwide threats to biodiversity.
It requires global attention and local action.” Artaza acknowledged efforts by the Ministry of Climate Change and appreciated Sustainable Land Management Programme (SLMP) for on-the-ground efforts to combat desertification in 14 districts in all four provinces of the country.
Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor PMAS AAUR, highlighted the role university was playing for better climate in the country.
He also appreciated UNDP Pakistan and Ministry of Climate Change for taking the lead in sustainable land management through their joint programme, SLMP.
He said, “SLMP is working on developing Integrated Sustainable Land Management Policies, Land Use Plans at district and village levels, and on ground interventions that aim for effective environmental management for combating desertification, land degradation and drought in Pakistan.” Earlier, Hamid Marwat, National Programme Coordinator (SLMP-II) briefed the audience about World Desertification Day and about SLMP approaches and interventions for better land management in Pakistan.
In order to meet the objectives of the convention, Government of Pakistan, with support from United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) is implementing second phase of the Sustainable Land Management Program (SLMP-II) in fourteen dry land districts of all four provinces.