The Sustainable Development Study Centre (SDSC) of GCU Lahore held a paper presentation ceremony on Saturday at Salt Range Wetland Complex.
Jenny Datoo and Laya M. Taheri of the Oxford University, UK under the Oxford University Pak Field Research Program presented their research paper on Soan Valley, Laya Taheri focused on 'Women's use and perception of forest conservation in the Soan Valley. She told that women depend largely on forest resources to meet household needs and uphold their recreational values. In a questionnaire-based survey, she found women of Soan Valley don't believe in negative or positive impact of using forest resources.
Jenny Datoo spoke about community participation and Dam Sustainability in the Soan Valley. She discussed the "Disaster Mitigation Preparedness Plan" by the Soan Valley Development Program. In her focus group discussions, she concluded that traditional methods of water conservation should be used and there are high levels of community participation in the Valley. The fellow scholar from GCU, Aftab Ahmed from Economics Department discussed his fore going research proposal in Soan Valley.
The Director, Sustainable Development Study Centre of GCU, Dean of Science, Professor Dr Amin Ul Haq highly appreciated the scholars for their research work. He suggested that this kind of joint research activity undertaken by the GCU-Oxford scholars would help in up-scaling the research modules on sustainable grounds in the relevant field. This had been a tremendous task accomplished by the scholars who would definitely extend valuable support to the policy makers, he further asserted.
The Chief Guest, Dr Pervaiz Tahir appreciated the speakers for their commendable work. He also congratulated SDSC for hosting such an informative session. The Co-ordinator of GCU-Oxford University, Mehjabeen Abidi Habib, spoke on different aspects of the program. A large number of students and faculty members of GCU and representatives from various organisations were present on the occasion.