USPCAS-W Inks MoU With WWF

The US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration on freshwater-related initiatives in Pakistan

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jan, 2018 ) :The US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration on freshwater-related initiatives in Pakistan.

The Director USPCAS-W Dr. Bakhshal Khan Lashari while speaking on the occasion said that the Center was the state-of-the-art applied research facility established with the support United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is technically supported by the University of Utah, USA.

According to Dr. Lashari, the Centre focuses on developing sustainable solutions to overcome freshwater management challenges which can only be tackled through collaborative efforts. The MoU between WWF-Pakistan and University would bring opportunities to develop joint research studies and projects that could help addressing issues of freshwater and discuss sustainable solutions, he added.

The Regional Head Sindh and Balochistan, WWF-Pakistan Dr.

Babar Khan in his remarks, appreciated the efforts of the MUET to promote applied research on water sector related issues. According to him, the effects of climate change were evident on the water resources of the country leading towards the extreme weather events such as flood and droughts.

The Indus River, he said, had lost its glory as an outcome to this. The precious wetlands such as Manchar Lake and other Ramsar sites were deteriorating due to multiple factors and require immediate restoration and rehabilitation to sustain their associated ecosystem services, he said and urged that the environmental issues of the region could only resolve through implementation of the time-bound plan of actions.

The Deputy Director of the Centre (Academics and Research) USPCAS-W Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar also highlighted that Manchar Lake was in dire need of rehabilitation to its real shape. The Ceremony was attended by the Center's faculty and the management and the team of WWF-Pakistan.