Speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day international conference on latest techniques for conservation of animal genetic resource in Pakistan on Wednesday, US Agriculture Counselor Richard Todd Drennan said that biodiversity was a big challenge faced by the ecosystems globally. He said that the protection of biodiversity through environmental restoration and production of rare species to save them from extinction were needed. The international moot was organised by the Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in collaboration with the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation and sponsored by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The conference was attended by Malaysian, Swedish, Sudanese and Bengali scientists.
Drennan said that Pakistan was still facing biodiversity issues and that flood and natural calamities occur due to the imbalance of ecosystems and rapid growth in human population. The US agriculture counselor said that most countries had to face environmental problems and global warming caused by the floods which affected Pakistan last year. He stressed upon the need of balancing ecosystems in conservation of the national breed and in the improvement of the national economy. Biodiversity was aiming at the preservation of the natural heritage, the diversity of species and domestic breeds, he added. Drennan said that the US government allocated $9 million for the control of foot and mouth disease in Pakistan and that the US had been collaborating with Pakistan’s officials in this regard. Earlier, UVAS Vice-Chancellor Dr Nawaz said that the government should pay attention to the revival of endangered species for the conservation of genetic resources in Pakistan.
UVAS Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Director Dr Masroor Elahi Baber said that the conference highlighted the importance of the conservation of ecosystem. It also focused on training the participants for the use of various techniques involved in molecular biology for animal conservation and livestock welfare, he added.
