Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) and the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) agreed to cooperate for the stability of fragile mountain ecosystems and the livelihoods of mountain people.

This was decided in a meeting among Prof. Dr. Rai Naiz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR and Dr. Eklabya Sharma, Director Program Operations, ICIMOD, Khathmandu, Nepal, on  December 12, 2013. On the occasion, Dr. Abdul Wahid Jasra, Director General, ICIMOD, PMAS-AAUR Deans, Directors and faculty members were also present.

In the meeting, they discussed the future collaboration between the both institutes and decided to initiate the joint research and will exchange the research materials, technical knowhow and publications.

They agreed upon the influence policy and practices through knowledge /evidence to meet the associated challenges emerging in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) region.  They stressed the role of innovative and collaborative research and the need to develop communication strategies to promote the uptake of research results in policy and practice.

Both institutes will also work with the people of the region to conserve and manage biodiversity as a natural heritage and a resource for livelihoods and economic resilience.

Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR, highlighted on the  mountains in the HKH region and said that globalization and climate change have showed a growing impact on the stability of fragile mountain ecosystems and the livelihoods of mountain people.  He further said that due to fast economic, social, and environmental changes, only innovative strategies can ensure a sustainable and improved lifestyle for the people of the HKH region. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad appreciated the efforts of ICIMOD for the development of economically & environmentally sound mountain ecosystem to sustain vital ecosystems services for the billions of people living downstream now and for the future. On the occasion, Vice Chancellor briefed the participants about the University history, achievements, research/ developments projects and future plan. At the end Vice Chancellor also presented souvenir to the Dr. Eklabya Sharma.