Alveena Agha
GWADAR: The China-Pakistan tropical arid non-wood forest exchange event aims to showcase the achievements and research progress in the non-wood forest / economic forest field of China and Pakistan, also to promote the exchange and cooperation of experts between the two countries.
The first China-Pakistan tropical arid non-wood forest science and technology exchange event happened 26-10-2021 at Gwadar and simultaneously in Changsha and Hunan from October 25th to 27th 2021.
The conference is hosted by Chinese Society of Forestry, Central South University of forestry & technology and Chairman-CEO “China Overseas Ports Holding Company” Zhang Baozhong” whereas CEO Technomen Kinetics (PVT) LTD Syed Asif Mehmood also supported the event. The venue in China is Changsha branch Central South University of Forestry Technology while in Gwadar it is Pakistan Gwadar Free Zone Business Center.
The theme of the first exchange was the current status and future development direction of the research, utilization of the germplasm resources of plants belong to the Ziziphus and the Phoenix. This conference will play it’s key role in strengthening of science, technology, ecology and economy for both the countries. The event was formally started by People’s Republic of China’s anthem followed by Pakistani national anthem. It was attended by many virtually from China and Pakistan. As well as physically by some in Pakistan and China. CPEC was under discussion by various speakers as CPEC is one of the major projects of BRI.
The friendship between Pakistan and China will be deeper and deeper said school leader of central south university of forestry and technology.
Seeds will be planted which are good for cultivation in Gwadar many seeds have failed in Gwadar but some are working well now seeds or plants which are good economically for locals or commercially for China are chosen.
Ecological aspect is also focused along with science, technology and economy said Deputy secretary general of China society of forestry
Secretary Government of Balouchistan Forestry and Wildlife department Dostain Jamaldini said, “I pay special thanks to China society of forestry for organizing the event as it will be beneficial for BRI he also added Climate change a harsh reality of the world, due to climate change temperature is increasing in Pakistan ground water is quickly drying this is alarming we need to work on ecology.”
Environment protection is on our first priority and we believe this event will bring more better ideas and productivity on green belt. We have already invested a lot around port and free-zone area to protect environment. CPEC is the flagship project of BRI, once abandoned Gwadar port is reviving & it’s already a dream land for investors. 46 investors already registered in Gwadar port; the current pandemic effected it in a negative way of course but things are coming back to normal soon the progress of Gwadar port visible now. Tissue culture lab and plant cultivation are already in operation. The supporting projects to CPEC are new international airport, TVET school, China-Pak friendship hospital. Moringa tree and Banana trees are working well in this environment also giving fruit to locals as well, this initiative is supporting those locals who have no education. 1 cosmetic plant will be planted soon in which aloe vera production will be used. Only a “Green Gwadar” would enable the port to be operated well and bring benefits to future generations of local people, said Zhang Baozhong, chairman of COPHC.
Central South University of Forestry and Technology, COPHC and Yulin Holding have jointly established a plant tissue culture laboratory and a greenhouse to conduct the research, breed and planting of non-wood forest plants in this port.
Indus University Karachi, Karachi University & Faisalabad also came to the conference