Pak, Italian cooperation for climate change extended
By Tariq Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD—Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (AAUR), Institute of Agro-Environmental Forest Biology (IAFB) and National Research Council (NRC), Italy would cooperate in research studies.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed last year to initiate a project aimed at establishment of a framework for undertaking joint efforts in all major fields. The project initially funded for one-year and was later extended to 2008 on the basis of performance of both the participating institutes. It is of utmost importance in the field of combating decertification, climate change and global warming.
The project was conceived with a concept to promote and develop sustainable green technology to mitigate land degradation and global climate change impact specifically Greenhouse effect on local vegetation. Pakistan has been facing warmer weather conditions with decreasing precipitation for last several years which has led to lower agricultural productivity and more degraded lands.
Resultantly, country is facing critical issues like endangered sustainable food security and escalating decertification. All these striking issues provided a base for cooperation between two institutes to formulate a practical strategy to counter alarming situation in Pakistan. Dr. Mauro Centrito, Italian counterpart is visiting the varsity to workout implementation plan for current year. He would have field visits to arid areas of the country to collect native flora for their screening as climate proof plants. The screened plants would be multiplied and grown in stress conditions.