The misuse of nature by human-induced activities has resulted in the huge part of the World’s environmental frameworks to the brink of halt. To understand the societal changes due to change in climatic patterns, biodiversity conservation researcher should be morepre-emptive, aggressive, and consciousin growingecologicaladeptness, said by speakers of the one-day training workshop titled “Biodiversity awareness through science communication” jointly organized by University of Science and Technology Bannu and Weekly Technology Times sponsored by Pakistan Science Foundation and supported by Pakistan Nuclear Society.
“Electricity from nuclear energy reduces the emission of over two billion tonnes of carbon dioxide every year that mitigates the effects of global warming and reduces the loss of plants and animal species. It helps to slowdown the effects of biodiversity depletion”, said by Prof Dr Syed JavaidKhursheed, President Pakistan Nuclear Society.
Discussing the different option for energy production to conserve biodiversity; DrKhursheedsaid that the alternate energy resources like hydropower, wind and solar in comparison with nuclear power generation are less effective to conserve biodiversity. The hydropower is low cost but particularly biodiversity-unfriendly, while wind and solar are biodiversity-friendly then most expensive. Nuclear is the only solution which is cost effective as well as biodiversity-friendly.
DrZulqarnain, Head of Botany Department, Government Postgraduate College Karaksaid, “We live in a fast paced, technology driven, and increasing urbanized World, where we are going far away from nature. But we are nothing when deprived of the heavenly advantage of benevolence of Mother Earth, who provides for all our needs, including “peace of mind”. He further added that biodiversity conservation means preservation of Mother Earth.
The speakers of the workshop mentioned that the global environmental challenges of 21st Century have enormouslyaugmentedthe effectson our planet Earth and initiatedchanging climatic conditions and global warming. This whole scenariotogether with regional socio-economic gapsalong with trans-boundary environmental issues, specifically deforestation, desertification, water and air pollution, heat waves and droughts, biodiversity diminution and degradation of ecosystems are changing the life patterns that ultimately pushing us towards destruction and devastation.
Sayyed Paras Ali, Editor Weekly Technology Times imparted the training through practical involvement of participants of workshop to expand the curiosity of youth in local flora and fauna. The students participated significantlyin the activity and made a great response. Sayyed Paras Ali highlighted the role of media in biodiversity awareness and its sustainable use. He mentioned that “The main objective of this workshop is to promote social cohesion among USTB students and mobilize them against anthropocentric activities for biodiversity depletion. This also aims to increase interest of youth in local plants and animals special to protect biodiversity”.
Zeeshan Ahmed Siddiqi from National Centre of Physics emphasized on importance of science communication. He said that science communication is to make science user-friendly to the public. He explainedthe advantagesof science communication for the students, researcher, public leaders, society and the policy makers. He commendedthat science communication should be the part ofcurriculum. “Public and private sector should also interjectto create scientific and technological awareness in the society. There should be a series of workshops, seminars, and conferences on science communication which will eventuallyproduce concreteresults”, he further added.
Mr. Adnan Khattak,M.Phil Scholar Department of Botany USTB presented a documentary about the importance and threats to biodiversity.
Prof Dr Sultan Mehmood, Dean of Sciences and Pro Vice Chancellor UST Bannu was the chief guest at concluding ceremony. In his concluding remarks he thankedspeakers and organizers, Weekly Technology Times, Pakistan Science Foundation, Pakistan Nuclear Society, and Environmental Club UST Bannu. He appreciated the event and promised that USTB will regularly conducts such type of activities to raise awareness regarding biodiversity and its sustainable use. He also distributed shields and certificates among the speakers and the participants.
The workshop was organized and facilitated by DrFaizan Wazir, Assistant Professor Department of Botany USTB and Sidra Saif, Manager Coordination, Technology Times.
The participants of the workshop observedit advantageousand recommendedto arrangesuch training workshops in future as well. They mentioned this workshop highly motivational and expressed their profound interest in dissemination of knowledge in local communities to conserver biodiversity of their areas.