MoU between USPCAS-W MUET and WWF-Pakistan Signed

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.

Dr. Bakhshal Khan Lashari, Director USPCAS-W shared that the Center is a 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, he further added, would bring opportunities to develop joint research studies and projects that can help to address the issues of freshwater and sustainable solutions better.

Dr. Babar Khan, Regional Head Sindh and Balochistan, WWF-Pakistan, 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 are evident on the water resources of the country leading towards the extreme weather events such as flood and droughts. The Indus River, he added, had lost its glory as an outcome to this. Our 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 added. He urged that the environmental issues of the region could only resolve through implementation of the time-bound plan of actions.

Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar, Deputy Director of the Centre (Academics & Research) also spoke to the event. He highlighted that Manchar Lake is 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.