The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and the Punjab Forestry Research Institute (PFRI), Gatwala, Faisalabad have signed a collaborative agreement to strengthen forestry research, promote sustainable forest management and conserve biodiversity across the province.

FAISALABAD October 20: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and the Punjab Forestry Research Institute (PFRI), Gatwala, Faisalabad have signed a collaborative agreement to strengthen forestry research, promote sustainable forest management and conserve biodiversity across the province. The agreement aims to advance scientific research on selected tree species, improve the quality of forest genetic resources and promote non-timber forest products to support environmental conservation and sustainable development. The agreement was signed by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali and Chief Conservator of Forests, Central Zone, Lahore, Saqib Mehmood, at a ceremony attended by PFRI Director Dr Aqeela Mobeen Akhtar, UAF Director External Linkages Dr Iqrar Ahmad Rana, Director National Seed Center Dr Muhammad Tehseen Azhar, Chairman Department of Forestry Dr Fahad Rasheed, Dr Shahid Khalid from the Faculty of Forestry and Range Management (FFRM), and other officials. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that strengthening forestry research was essential to addressing environmental challenges, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. He emphasised the need for close collaboration between research institutions to develop scientific solutions for forest conservation, improve tree genetic resources and support climate-resilient forestry practices. He said the partnership would provide opportunities to pool institutional expertise, enhance research capacity and translate scientific findings into practical measures for forestry development in Punjab. The collaboration will be undertaken under the development scheme titled “Strengthening of Punjab Forestry Research Institute Faisalabad in line with Promotion of Non-Timber Forest Products.” Under the agreement, both institutions will work jointly on the identification and selection of superior trees, germplasm collection, documentation, preservation and molecular characterisation of selected species including Achellia Nilotica (Kikar), Albizia lebbeck) and Populus spp. The partnership will also facilitate genetic-diversity analysis to help identify valuable tree varieties and strengthen the scientific basis for their conservation and future use. The two institutions will determine mutually agreed areas of collaboration and share research expertise to achieve common objectives in forestry development, biodiversity conservation and the sustainable utilisation of forest resources.