KARACHI: Around 3.6 billion people are living in water scarce conditions in the world which is almost half of today’s global population.
This was stated by UNESCO’s Science Advisor in Thailand Dr Benno Boer at the inaugural ceremony of 4-day international conference on ‘Sustainable Development Halophytes for Green Revolution’, organised by Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilisation (ISHU), University of Karachi.
He said the United Nations has focused on this dangerous situation and suggested to utilise the currently unused salty water and barren saline lands. Our oceans and coasts are full of living creatures; there is a dire need of developing nature-based solutions for energy and food security. ‘More than 97 per cent of earth’s water is saline’, he said. Possibility of growing halophyte would be a great opportunity for the world. He said that so far halophyte biologists have been visionary and ahead of time, as they realised that scarcity of fresh water was real and they were working on solutions to ensure food security for the future.
He added that scientists must be good communicators so that they may convince politicians and investors to support us for halophyte developments.
“I am very happy to be here in Karachi, great hospitality and fantastic Pakistani culture and food”. He also lauded the key role Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ajmal Khan for his key role in developing meaningful partnership between UNESCO and KU.
He also thanked Dr Bilquees Gul, Director, ISHU and termed her a true role model for women scientists of the country.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ajmal Khan welcomed the international and national guests at the International Conference. “Water resources are depleting, we don’t have enough water for everyone. No institute in the world except ISHU has done such a focused work in this subject”, VC claimed.
He thanked Dr Atta ur Rehman for providing enormous support as the then Chairman, HEC for establishment of Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilisation (ISHU), KU. We published
ISHU Director Prof Dr Bilquees Gul said that about 11pc of the world’s irrigated areas were affected by salinisation. The continuous expansion of salt-affected land was highest in some of the most populated and economically challenged countries such as Bangladesh, India and Pakistan posing a serious threat to sustainable agricultural production.