EXPLORE PAKISTAN - the current affairs, environment & events

Winter season in Gilgit Baltistan brings freezing temperature

2021-01-18T12:03:00.002+05:00

Winter is the coldest season that falls between the autumn and spring season. The word "Winter "has a Germanic origin that means "time of water", which refers to the "rain and snow" of the season. The winter season in Gilgit Baltistan that brings freezing weather starts in November and lasts until the end of February.

Whenever a Gibian (natives of Gilgit Baltistan) hears the word "Winter", it means the season of tremendous compromises; humans and all kinds of living beings will have to suffer. Life gets frozen! The cold season is the termination period of various living existence. It is the season of downtime for all the living creatures on earth as more living bodies undergo dormancy. Many plants die, leaving their seeds, and some cease their growth until spring.

Many animals undergo a period of long sleep (hibernation) in the winter season, in which they are compelled to slow down their metabolic activity. Numerous insects die because their tiny bodies cannot afford that much potential to produce heat to bear this super cold season. The worst thing is that these animals cannot express their feelings, but that's alright! Because invertebrates do not have a spinal cord, they cannot perceive the pain in their body. But humans have to tolerate this ache, but a plus point is that they can complain to nature in words at least.

Freezing Weather damage, the routine life of the natives

Gilgit Baltistan became the top place for tourism in 2018-19. The people are so welcoming and hospitable. Gilgit Baltistan is cardinal for the country due to its nature. In Gilgit Baltistan, the winter season is the main cause of limiting the resources for humans and animals. This region has the maximum potential to generate electricity (18000MW). Despite the profuse flow of glacier water, there is a shortage of electric power. People are bearing the brunt of 20 hours of daily load shedding in the winter season.

Chill temperature damages the routine life of the natives in the freezing weather and threatens business which in turn destroys the region's economy. It makes harsh conditions for survival in these mountainous regions.

Different methods are adopted to combat the Freezing Weather.

People adopted different methods to combat the freezing weather. The majority of the people pause in their homes. They use locally made wood stoves to overcome the biting temperature, but people look troubled due to the high cost of wood. They don't have LPG access or any other source for heating purposes, so wood stoves become a necessity of life in these harsh conditions.

Most of the people living in Gilgit Baltistan fall in the middle order. A substantial part of their salaries is used to collect warm wearing for the households in the winter season. Time to freeze the resources! Due to the unfriendly weather in the winter season, neither shrub can grow. The natives dry and store vegetables and fruits (apricot) in the summers. Before the advent of the winter season, they store all kinds of dry fruits to have enough food to energies them in the freezing weather of the winter season. For this purpose, they do backbreaking work during summers for survival in winters.

Winters Season takes with itself seasonal diseases.

Water bodies such as streams, lakes, rivers, water canals, and water pipes freeze due to freezing weather. A chunk of snow and falling sleet turn out much of trouble. Firstly, the vehicle's engine gets frozen if it starts, then the roads are blocked due to sliding or vehicles slip over the snow. In this way, one could hardly get to his destination by putting lives at risk.

Despite the adverse temperature of the winter season, people will have to get out of their houses and tolerate it for the routine procedures. In this way, they get cold and suffer from cold diseases, the common flu. Everyone gets suffers from the common flu because of its recurrence. It seems to be a very common disease among people in the winter season.

Other diseases include pneumonia, sore throat, and asthma attacks. People try to spend all the time inside their homes. Therefore, they have to face poor indoor air quality. Besides these sufferings, the natives face other problems, some other problems of the freezing weather. About a year ago, an old lady would get groceries; there were about 8 inches of snow on the road. She got the slip and damaged her left lower limb, there was a crack, and due to her old age, it took one and a half years to recover.

Children and older adults have other problems to face in the winter season.

The populace in Gilgit Baltistan hack with almost every field of life, and students in their respective areas have their struggles in attending school. The high price of wood extends to the schools, making it difficult to heat classrooms that often remain unheated. The students are exposed to cold, which leads to sickness. Many students have to travel long distances in the bone-chilling cold. It is tiring and consumes more energy. As a result, many students dread waking up in the morning and travel long distances during the winter season.

It was the last year-2020; It was chilly cold weather. I was going to take my paper in December. Because of the traffic issues, my brother took me on the bike; I covered myself accordingly; after a ride of 15 minutes, I reached the exam Centre, rushed to the room and settled for the paper. When I started to write, my hands weren't capable of writing even a word; my hand got freeze there wasn't any facility to warm up. I rubbed my hand; suddenly my sight looked around, everyone was busy attempting their papers and time is passing by, by noticing this my mind get into trouble than, I give a proper knead to my hands to 20 minutes. After this, my hand became flexible enough to write but still writing pace was slow.

Final thought

The natives put up even with the very basic rights. People come here to be fond of the snowfall in winters, but when it comes to the practical lives, it is unbearable; cheers to the people of Gb that they are surviving in such cruel conditions.

Global Warming

2020-12-22T15:52:00.004+05:00

What is global warming?

Warming refers to the increase in the surface temperature due to the greenhouse effect. This is the result of excessive burning of fossil fuels (coal, gas, natural oil), uncontrolled venting of greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide), and tragedy of commons created by anthropogenic activities.

Green House effect

The increase in greenhouse gas (GHGs) amounts and the trapping of heat in Earth’s atmosphere is known as the greenhouse effect. This phenomenon is observed since the pre-industrial period (1850-1900).

Effects of Global warming

Global warming is the phenomenon that causes elevation of ground temperature. This process affects loss in ice mass in Earth poles and mountains i.e. the Himalayas and Hindu-Kush mountain ice cap decrease due to less storage of snow and more melting in recent few decades. This in return creates frequent flash floods. Deliver extra water to the river banks and wash out the crops and houses which come on their way. Additionally, there are health impacts imposed by increased temperature like heat waves. As far as the farming community is concerned, new pests on their crops have taken control results in harming their cultivation. Extreme weather conditions were recorded such as droughts, floods, hurricanes.

Prediction by evaluating current scenarios

The expected warming would reach 1.5°C by 2030. Whereas the current warming rate is 0.2°C, This is an alarming situation mainly to the people living in vulnerable areas, and also for the developing countries who are less prepared for natural disasters. These areas like mountainous areas, farming zones are most susceptible to Global warming effects.

Commons tragedy

The problem is caused initially due to our own human behavior, the so-called- Tragedy of the commons. The main idea of this concept is: nature has bestowed all human beings with free of cost natural resources like air. And people are using them mercilessly. Because these resources are not their private property, they may take care of these if they have purchased them. But the resources naturally available to them grant them the right to use these assets without giving a thought to their misuse. Initially when the industrial period started and the more fossil fuel was burnt to produce more energy and products without checking on the wastes and gases. These wastes products in the form of greenhouse gases build up in the atmosphere. These gases trap the heat and result in heating in the climate system of the earth in the long run.

How we can mitigate and adapt to being responsive to climate change?

A human being can adapt to actions like living in avoiding building houses and farming fields in areas most likely to hit by adverse effects of climate change like extreme mountainous regions and flood plains. Promoting green cover in urban areas and plantations in barren lands can act as a sink for greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. This will possibly lower the amount of CO2 which is contributing gas for global warming. Moreover, adjusting to natural disasters accordingly is the only choice for people with minimal facilities provided by the Governments of any nation mainly in developing countries. Building resilience to this phenomenon by early precautionary measures will also reduce the worse effects created by global weather changes.

Possible actions to get minimal harms

Wholistically the process induced by human activities namely global warming is minimized by responsible actions of all the stakeholders, politicians, climate change ambassadors, and the public itself. Being said that actions like adopting environment-friendly products and limiting the gases like aerosol, CFCs from industries and machinery. Nevertheless, if these gases are treated beforehand- leaving to the open air then it will cause less harm to the environment and minimize the effects of Global warming.

The schooling system in Pakistan- an insider observation to address basic issues

2020-12-17T15:12:00.003+05:00

A child’s primary education comes from their parents. Later, this system of educating children continues with schooling. The school arrangement is conventionally based on preparing a child for the world. In Pakistan, the system for upgrading school for the quality of education is moving with the pace of a turtle.

This means with this slow ongoing progress to improve the curriculum will not be enough to catch the standards of education, provided by best-educating countries to the students. So, what is the measure of these standards? The measurement generally is how much in quantity students are making progress in contributing to the knowledge of the world in different fields. Including the quality of work, they are engaged in to become a cognizant individual.

Another perspective is the practical work our national schools are lacking to deliver. The experimental tasks for daily life sciences or any other subject should be mandatory. This will help the students to pay more attention to the material being taught to them. Moreover, it will assist them to understand the material in depth. Students will also learn practical things with great interest without just cramming the written material.

One can pen down all this by experiencing such things mentioned earlier. The observation about cramming is real because on one side to memorize any subject for a short time is not much beneficial for the people doing it. To memorize and getting the gist of the subject would be favourable to an individual.

All the problems of an education system cannot be sorted out at once, it is a time taking process. If students, stakeholders and high officials pay attention to the fundamental problems and work for improving education quality, then this issue can be addressed. Until then, the responsible personals and the silent observers without having any complaint to this system can have a sigh of peace. Because without their contribution to the new grounds of development, no one dares to change the structure of the system.

Private in comparison to the government education institutions try to mimic few features of good schooling systems. For instance, some of the private sector schools adapted to make their staff and students become a confident and bold personality. But focusing on limited characteristics cannot fix this gigantic issue.

The proposed critics involve everyone connected to this education system.

Water and Sewage pipelines cannot go parallel

2020-12-02T12:58:00.002+05:00

Have you ever thought about the sources and supply system for the water you get at your houses? If not, then It’s time to ponder on the water systems because nearly 64% of the people in Pakistan are consuming contaminated water. The main reason behind this polluted drinking water is leakage and intermixing of sewage and drinking water. Oh no, this means that people currently are drinking bad quality water. When a person has some issues with their stomach this may be due to this water.

Business Boom, although we are living near the Indus basin with fresh sources-to have clean water full of minerals, without having biological contaminants. But what’s the catch, we are not utilizing these natural assets resourcefully. Canned bottle companies in Pakistan are earning millions of dollars by selling mineral water. Is there a dire need of selling water even though nature has bestowed us with the freshwater source? The answer would be no! but considering this fact that the source and supply lines must be fixed and saved with external pollution.

Who will address this issue of deteriorated water quality- The agencies, officials, and the government. The highlighted problem is linked to public health because these foul water causes health issues. Before spending too much on medication and physician fees, why would we not concentrate on solving basic issues like- having healthy water at our tapes. For example, Chlorinated water is one of the solutions to save people from bacterial water-borne diseases. The major issue is our negligence. To avoid contamination and get clean water is everyone’s basic right, which is not being fulfilled in our country.

The query arises in our mind is that are we really lacking in infrastructure, knowledge, techniques or we are just in denial that everything is perfectly fine in our lives? I think we are overlooking these issues and are hopeless. Not optimistic about bringing solutions and small reforms to our own society. If the public gets clean water, free of contaminants at their homes, then half of the issues regarding drinking water can be resolved in Pakistan. But to get this facility the public must pay their water bills without delays. Additionally, the stakeholders and officials in-charge of providing this facility should be working with integrity. Then this prevailing problem will be addressed properly. This ultimately will ensure healthy living even in developing countries like our nation.

Nevertheless, if as a public representative- we ourselves set some rules for our society i.e. reporting illegal thefts, observing our basic responsibilities regardless of biases about solely giving benefits to our own, and be a part of the solution, not the problem. Then we can add in our part in making our surroundings a good place to live in and also for our children.

The first two years of the Utopian PTI Regime

2020-09-02T22:47:00.010+05:00

The Utopian PTI regime has formally completed the first two years that cannot now pledge to be new in the office to dissociate itself from the misadventures taking place owing to incompetent cabinet members in the center. People pinned great expectations from the PTI government for having been ruled for decades by the dissolute rulers and take a real interest in the government’s performance because of the massive promises made to them before getting the power.

Although Imran Khan seemed to be in a hurry while taking U-turns to make decisions not compatible with words given to people yet, people still believe in him as they are imbibed with such strong expectations that there is no way to turn a deaf hear. International organizations acknowledged Pakistan's performance somehow in the last two years despite the novel coronavirus crisis epidemic and floundering economy when it has assumed power. Pakistan fought commendably with the coronavirus surge incorporating relatively a sensible and realistic approach compared with the measures taken by other countries in the rest of the world. PM Imran Khan made it clear to the nation that he won’t impose a kind of lockdown that would hit hard only marginalize section of the country, citing as more than 25% of the population leaving under poverty.

To contain the spread of corona-virus, National Command and Control Centre was established. It was a National institution where decisions were taken timely and kept the country away from the total takeover of the population. At the economic front, well-timed cuts in interest-rate by the State Bank of Pakistan, rolling out of Rs.144billion to 12 million deserving families, and an ambiguous housing and construction package played a great role in rescuing the country of bankruptcy and helped to jumpstart the economy.

Even though the PTI government seems to have gained a quantity of progress; some macroeconomic indicators are witness to the developments secured by the government so far; but, there is a disagreement over the lofty promises being made which are probably may not be attained even after the completion of the other three years – one billion jobs and five million houses. Much more than anything, the policymakers are so inept that they have not been able to control market dynamics which led to inflation, shrinking of jobs, and shortage of supply of essential items. For the poor, the government has turnaround the things even more badly, they can’t afford to purchase even the basic necessities of life when everything has got so expensive to buy, and they are plunged in such a situation that is never seen before.

Elected MPA’s in government have constantly expressed their discontent over the appointment of non-elected members on key positions, given the influence of the non-civilians in policy matters - deep-rooted in the system – the government has learned to leave with fiat accomplish in terms of ascribing key positions to decision-makers. The PTI government which came to power with the promise to rid the country of the extensive corruption found itself bogged down in a corruption scam when FIA, having received directions from Imran Khan, published the report on the sugar scandal. Earlier, in a cabinet meeting, the Punjab government had provided 2.4billion rupees subsidy to sugar industries; later on, in another meeting, the federal government also allowed the export of sugar which led to the sudden uprise in sugar prices all over the country by 5 to 10 percent; and sugar mill owners got massive benefit from the given subsidy in millions of rupees.

Following the preliminary revelations of the sugar scandal, wherein wealthy sugar barons were exposed, Imran Khan has either removed or changed the profile of the cabinet members who were involved in the decision about sugar subsidy. To be fair, the government reacted as was being expected given the circumstances that were, but the particular sugar event has left several questions to be answered. Will the government be able to weaken the influence of a few family members involved in manipulating prices and controlling the production of extremely important products? Will the government be able to bring the guilty to justice?

Leaders of opposition parties have presented a list of failures against a long list of the developments the government has been able to achieve so far. Contrary to the facts, some independent polls are of an ambivalent view about the performance which belies the arguments of both the opposition and government. For some, two years are fair enough for any government to set the trends and patterns to be followed in the future; and for others, the PTI government would not be able to transform Pakistan into an equitable society which is promised during the election campaign, provided that, until and unless the non-electable and imported members would not be replaced with the loyalist to Party motto.

PM Imran Khan looks passionate to bring about some real changes in Pakistan. He is left with the other three years of his tenor; therefore, he has to take some timely decisions just as the decisions were taken during the coronavirus outbreak, and he should not be that much partial with the accountability that the NAB seems proactively continuing with the cases of only opposition parties. He must strive hard to bring to justice everyone who would have been caught in wrongdoings during his utopian PTI regime.

Tourism in Yasin valley

2020-06-12T15:04:00.003+05:00

Tourism in Gilgit Baltistan

Tourism means travelling around fascinating destinations. Along with it tourism as an emerging profession is apparently contributing a higher share in enhance of Economy. Tourists set out on various tours to feel and mesmerize the beauty of captivating magnificence. Sightseers spend their time leaving beside their usual environment for innovation, exploration and peace.

Pakistan is a well-known tourist spot around the globe. Pakistan is enriched with diverse cultures and traditions, various festivals, ancient places, compelling landscapes and fine infrastructure and architectural buildings. The flow of tourists remains at peak throughout the year. Archaeologists around the world come to visit the prehistoric places such as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Taxila and Forts. There are great fascinating valleys such as Swat, Hunza, Naran, Kaghan, Naltar and striking hilly places like Murree, Nathia Gali and Changa Gali that pull tourists. The marvellous place of Naran and Kaghan is open during summers and boost the tourist contentment. Surrounded by majestic mountains of Himalayas and Karakoram, in the Northern Pakistan People have their own diverse enriched cultural rituals and festivals. Visitors prefer visiting the Northern areas of Pakistan for the charming natural scenarios; appealing landscapes, lush green valleys and mountains covered with the cloak of snow and the glacier.

Gilgit Baltistan 2020

Among all, there is a splendid glory between the mountains of the Karakorum and the Hindukush range known as "YASIN" valley in the district Ghizer. Dale of Yasin is an eye-catching and soothing place to spend time. The widely spread plain pastures, glacial lakes, hot and cold springs, glaciers and rivers and streams running between the fascinating landscapes presents the stunning scenario. Only 10 per cent of tourists have an idea about the Yasin valley, whereas the rest of the world has not explored the basin yet. The main concern is the lack of advancement in the valley. Natives have less approach to advance technology whereas they are somehow educated and put their efforts to bring up Yasin valley on an international platform. The government tourism sector also does not give the vigour to bring the natural beauty of the Yasin valley. Yasin has amazing tourist spots but due to the negligence of local government tourists are heedless about the valley. Tourists plan journeys to Hunza as it a charming place and derive to be tourist spots traditionally and culturally. The tourism sector in this region promote and invite tourists from around the globe.

In the nutshell, I am trying to pay my efforts to publicize the Yasin valley. The people of the valley are very hospitable and they feel cherished to have visitants. Tourists will have great exposure and adventure in Yasin Valley.

An Infant’s Smile

2020-05-10T15:40:00.006+05:00

You don’t know that

The smile you have

Pure enough to cure an illness

Joyful enough to make a day

For you, it’s merely a smile

But if to be precise

It’s a transmutation for us

From an abyss to a paradise

I cannot guarantee if

A more beautiful thing than that exists

For no jewellery have I ever seen

To compare with the lovely face you persist

This is the work of all little deeds

A simple grin or an eye full of tear

A cackle, the truest

Or a shout saying all

The world around you

Is a pirate’s treasure lost

All I hope is that

You keep on having this grin

And the lovely chuckling

For now, and for then

final words Hope this content helped you to know about the importance of a smile. You can also visit an infant's smile

Covid-19 vs environment

2020-04-20T21:47:00.003+05:00

In a very short span of time Covid-19 has transformed the entire world. It took the lives of thousands of people thus the entire way of life has changed by Covid-19. Every country which is not immune to Covid-19 is putting its maximum efforts for controlling the death toll.

Up to date information about covid 19 vs environment,

Covid-19 and the environment

Impact of covid-19 on environment

This catastrophic virus has put down the world into a state of quarantine thus enabling people to practice social distancing. The industries, commercial flights, schools and offices have been deserted worldwide.

However, everything comes at a price in some form or other. The major environment and climate bogeyman like industries, civil aviation and transport networks have been put into lockdown thus reducing air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide released from vehicles, spoiling the air quality. The Covid-19 crisis provokes urban wildlife like all human beings are put in their vessels and animals are taking benefit of human absence.

The road traffic gets too reduced nowadays and animals are less likely to be hit by cars. The covid-19 outbreak will help out to restrain wildlife trade, which is responsible for bringing a lot of animals to the verge of extinction.Covid-19 crises have provoked the plastic waste. In quarantine, people prefer to wear disposable masks and gloves and the opened hotels don’t bother to re-use the cups to stop the outbreak of the virus.

The climate crises are pushed to sidelines due to covid-19 outbreak but according to climate expert’s important steps and measures should not be ignored and the UN climate conference postponed till 2021. While emission has dropped since the pandemic started and according to recent studies, co2 emission has declined to 25% in China.

Deforestation, Industrial agriculture, wildlife trade, climate leads to the extension of future epidemics. Covid-19 can erode the rights of billions of people who are already subjected to environmental crisis encompassing people living in below poverty, minority and indigenous.

The covid-19 has had a profound influence on our home, work and environments, but from environment point of view, the picture is far less clear. The recent situation may have a huge impact on our attitude to pollution, health and hygiene.

The lessons adapted once we will have this emergency behind us will be essential to (reconsider) the issue of air contamination. Shockingly environmental change will, in any case, be near and won't generally be changed by this emergency.

Global warming

2020-02-24T14:39:00.003+05:00

Over the last years, the temperature of the earth is increasing at a faster rate, which is simply called global warming. Global warming exists as a result of an accumulation of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases and absorption of sun harmful radiations by these gases in the atmosphere, these gases trap the heath and cause in the rise of global temperature.

Causes of global warming

Global warming

A lot of humans, interventions are involved in global warming like the burning of fossil fuel for electricity generation, which results in abundant production of carbon dioxide. Secondly, coal-burning also leads to the greenhouse effect and ultimately global warming. Global warming has a profound influence on the environment, health and economy of people all around the globe. More side effects will emerge if the issue of global warming continues. A lot of outcomes can be expected as a result of global warming like the melting of glacier and drought-like situation, burning of forests and disturbance of ecosystem, rising sea level, the emergence of new pests which destroys crops, hence causing the problem of food security. Global warming provokes the outbreak of some allergic diseases as well. current issues of Global warming In fewest possible words, I would say that global warming can be handled by human care. There are a lot of ways to tackle global warming like

ü changing a light to compact fluorescent light to save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

ü Drive less or use a bicycle to avoid the emission of greenhouse gases.

ü Recycle your household waste.

ü Avoid taking hot water as it requires more heat and energy.

ü Plant a tree as it absorbs approximately one tone of carbon dioxide.

ü Do not turn on electric devices unnecessarily as it will stop the emission of carbon dioxide.

Covid-19

2020-01-31T22:44:00.005+05:00

A disease is a condition in a which living organism shows deviation from its normal physiological functions.

Many external and internal factors are involved in the propagation of a disease like an environment, gene pool, food etc. The living entities which are responsible for causing disease are viruses, bacteria and fungi mostly.

Located in North of Pakistan, china is the most populous country in the world. A new group of virus called coronavirus(covid-19)first popped up in the Wuhan City of China. This virus is very vigorous and is resistant to multiple drugs. How this virus popped up? the answer to this question is still perplexing and confusing, Some relate this virus to biological war while others relate it to the consumption of wildlife like snakes, rats and bats.

When it comes to symptoms of coronavirus, it causes respiratory problems followed by a common cold. Children’s are more subjected to this disease while adults feel fraught and headache.

To protect yourself from its invasion, it is imperative to keep your throat moist, don’t keep your throat dry and avoid holding your thirst because of coronavirus easily invades into the dry membrane of your throat.

Continue to moisten your throat until the end of March, avoid going to highly crowded places, wear a mask in a train or while using public transportation and most importantly social distancing are imperative. The only solution to avoid its outbreak is self-isolation and frequent hand washing via sterilizers and soaps. "Coronavirus update news" so far this notorious virus took most lives in Italy after China. No vaccines have been made so far to cure the outbreak of coronavirus and this case is totally new to scientists and doctors.

Corona Virus/Covid-19 update

Covid-19

Covid-19 disease

In a fewest possible words, I would say that to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus, it is essential for the quarantine departments of Pakistan, especially Gilgit to monitor the activities of chines and all the Borders needs to be sealed to avoid the outbreak of this coronavirus.

Impact of Medicinal Plants on Human Health in Yaseen Valley.

2020-01-22T23:12:00.003+05:00

The Yasin Valley, Tehsil Yasin or Babaye-i-Yasen or Worshigum is a high mountain valley in the Hindukush Mountains, in the northwest region of Gilgit in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

Plants having active constituents are used to treat various ailments in both human and animal. In most instances, certain medicinal plant species are considered specific for a particular illness but occasionally they have mixed usage.

Women, followed by children, are identified as the principal collectors of medicinal plants. Due to over-exploitation, several species have gone extinct in the Hindukush-Himalayan regions.

Local collectors, vendors, herbal drug dealers and others are the ones who threaten the flora of Pakistan contribute to the extinction of some and bringing others to the brink of extinction.

Though medicinal plants from the wild are an important source of income for local communities, but if not properly managed, this may lead to the destruction of habitat and in return extinction of species.

A medicinal plant is any plant in which, one or more of its organs contain substances that can be used for the therapeutic purpose or which is a precursor for the synthesis of useful drugs.

The plants that possess therapeutic properties or exert beneficial pharmacological effects on the animal body are generally designated as “Medicinal Plants”. Although there are no apparent morphological characteristics in the medicinal plants growing with them, yet they possess some special qualities or virtues that make them medicinally important.

Plants have been a source of medicine and a major resource for health care since ancient times, with some traditional herbal medicines in use for more than 2,000 years. The modern pharmaceutical industry is paying more attention to plants as scientists re-discover that plant life is an almost infinite resource for medicine development.

One-fourth of modern medicines available on prescription today owe their origins of raw material to higher plants of tropical forests. Out of these, seventy-four per cent are derived from plants that have some use in traditional herbal medicine.

Increasing emphasis on the use of medicinal plants in searching for new drugs is undoubtedly a productive strategy.

The majority of the developing countries depend on traditional medicinal plants for their healthcare. This global utilization of medicinal plants has considerably increased in the last two decades.

In developing countries leaning to and favouring traditional medicinal plants are mainly due to inaccessibility of the modern medical system, economic and cultural factors.

Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbology and phytotherapy.

Traditional use of medicines is recognized as a way to learn about potential future medicines. In 2001, researchers identified 122 compounds used in mainstream medicine which were derived from “ethnomedical” plant sources; eighty per cent of these compounds where used in the same or related manner as the traditional ethnomedical use.

Many plants synthesize substances that are useful to the maintenance of health in humans and other animals. These include aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins.

Many of the herbs and spices used by humans to season food yield are useful medicinal compounds. Similarly, to prescription drugs, a number of herbs are thought to be likely to cause adverse effects. Furthermore, “adulteration, inappropriate formulation or lack of understanding of plant and drug interactions have led to adverse reactions that are sometimes life-threatening or lethal.

In addition to the use in the developing world, herbal medicine is used in industrialized nations by alternative medicine practitioners such as naturopaths. A survey of herbalists in the UK found that many of the herbs recommended by them were used traditionally but had not been evaluated in clinical trials.

The use of, and search for, drugs and dietary supplements derived from plants have accelerated in recent years.

The data collected through interviews with local peoples indicate that these species are mostly used in fever, cough, asthma, stomach and abdominal disorders, Malaria, Cancer, Heart disease and blood pressure etc.

It is interesting to note that most of these plants were Dicots while Monocots and Gymnosperms constitute only a minor fraction of them. The most important family was Compositae containing 3 species.

This was followed by Labiatae and Apiaceae with 2 species then remaining families consist of one species each. The listed plants are grouped under Gymnosperms, Monocots and Dicots.

Families and species within them are arranged alphabetically. Local names and uses are provided for each species.

There was little evidence of this knowledge being transmitted to successive generations except to specific individuals interested in preserving their traditions. Knowledge of the uses of these plants probably will continue to dwindle because of the availability of modern medicines and other facilities.

Despite the availability of wild medicinal plants, there is a significant reduction in their use. Of these herbaceous plants identified as having some medicinal uses, about fifty per cent are not used nowadays.

Recent journal on Herbal medicine

Medicinal plant impact on human health
Medicinal plant impact on human health
The medicinal plant, human health and biodiversity

These plants are mostly medicinal and edible for which modern substitutes are now available. In short, it would appear that the people have a concept of wild plant species with active constituents that are useful for medicinal and edible purposes but prefer to depend upon few cultivated species.

1: Family Name: Cuprassaceae

Botanical Name: Juniperus excelsa

Local Name: Gal

Common Name: Juniper

Part Used: Seeds
Medicinal Uses:
Used to avoid backache and as a tonic. Also used as antiseptic.

2: Family Name: Ephedraceae

Botanical Name: Ephedra gerardiana

Local Name: Sopating

Common Name: Asmani buti

Part Used: Whole plant is used

Medicinal Uses:

Plant is used to cure lumbago, edema, as a skin whitening agent and also used in toothache. It is highly beneficial in the treatment of asthma.

3: Family Name: Alliaceae

Botanical Name: Allium sativum

Local Name: Oojno

Common Name: Lehsan

Habitat: Cultivated

Part Used: Bulbs are used

Medicinal Uses:

Used as antibacterial and antiviral. It is used to prevent heart diseases, high blood pressure and cancer. It has also some beneficial properties, such as preventing and fighting the common cold.

4: Family Name: Alliaceae

Botanical Name: Allium victorealis

Local Nam: Khasht

Habitat: Herb

Part Used: Aerial parts are used

Medicinal Uses:

Used in joints pain, to relieve backache and in stomach disorders.

5: Family Name: Apiaceae

Botanical Name: Carum carvi

Local Name: Hojoj

Common Name: Zeera/Carum

Part Used: Seeds

Medicinal Uses:

Used in abdominal pain, dyspepsia, indigestion and also a flavouring agent.

6: Family Name: Apiaceae

Botanical Name: Coriandrum sativum (L.)

Local Name: Thawon

Common Name: Coriander/ Dhanya

Part Used: Leaves and fruits are used

Medicinal Uses:

Generally used in gastro-intestinal complains such as dyspepsia and vomiting. Also used as a flavouring agent, condiment and for removal of placenta after delivery.

7: Family Name: Boraginaceae

Botanical Name: Onosma hispada

Local Name: Paisuk

Part Used: Root

Medicinal Uses:

It is used to cure a headache. By bringing it in powder form it is mixed with hair oil for hair growth. It is also used in typhoid and pneumonia.

8: Family Name: Capparidaceae

Botanical Name: Capaparis spinosa

Local Name: Chopur

Common Name: Caper-bush

Part Used: Unexpended floral buds and fruits are used.

Medicinal Uses:

Unexpended floral buds and fruits (chantique) are used in typhoid, Malaria, to lower the blood pressure and as a Vegetable.

9: Family Name: Compositae

Botanical Name: Artemisia brevifoilum

Local Name: Muing

Part Used: Whole plant is used

Medicinal Uses:

It prevents abdominal pain. Also used as a germicide.

10: Family Name: Compositae

Botanical Name: Artemisia gmelnii

Local Name: Qaqashu

Part used: Aerial parts and seeds are used

Medicinal uses:

Used in Asthma, cough and stomach pain. It is also believed that its seeds can increase memory.

11: Family Name: Compositeae

Botanical Name: Carthamus tinctotis (L.)

Local Name: Pong`

Common Name: Pong

Part Used: Seeds

Medicinal Uses:

Used for flu, coughing, fever, joint pain and for worms treatment.

12: Family Name: Elaeagnaceae

Botanical Name: Hippophae rhamnoides (L)

Local Name: Buroo

Common Name: sea-buckthorn

Part Used: Fruits are used.

Medicinal Uses:

Oil is extracted from the fruits of sea buckthorn and used in the treatment of cardiac disorders, Irritated eyes and to cure certain types of cancer.

13: Family Name: Labiatae

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum

Local Name: Gass malli

Part Used: Seeds are used

Medicinal Uses:

Seed are used for eyes and in powder form used as a skin whitening agent, also used as

flavouring agent.

14: Family Name: Labiatae

Botanical Name: Thymus linearis (L.)

Local Name: Tumur

Part Used: Leaves and Branches

Medicinal Uses:

Use to treat scabies and influenza, also used to lose weight or to control obesity.

15: Family Name: Papilionaceae

Botanical Name: Medicago Sativa

Local Name: Ishpiting

Common Name: Alfa Alfa

Part Used: Aerial parts are used.

Medicinal Uses:

Used against constipation and also as a vegetable.

16: Family Name: Saxifragaceae

Botanical Name: Bergenia stracheyi (Eng.)

Local Name: Ghisapur

Part Used: Roots

Medicinal Uses:

Used in wheals, muscular pain, toothache and also in certain eye diseases.

17: Family Name: Solanaceae

Botanical Name: Hyoscymus nigram (L.)

Local Name: Bang-e-Diwana

Common Name: Ajowan Khurasani

Part Used: Leaves and seeds are used.

Medicinal Uses:
Leaves are antiseptic, sedative narcotic, mydriatic, employed in irritable conditions and nervous affections. Seeds are used in asthma and whooping cough.

18: Family Name: Zygophylaceae

Botanical Name: Peganum hermala (L.)

Local Name: Ispandur

Common Name: Wild rue, Syrian rue

Part Used: Whole plant is used

Medicinal Uses: Main use is to cure abdominal worms. The smoke of the plant is commonly used in the area as a disinfectant & is believed to keep off flies and mosquitoes. The plant is also considered as devil repellant and against evil eyes

Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

2019-12-26T17:49:00.005+05:00

Science and technology are now becoming an emerging field all around the globe and has played a key role in providing life luxuries. At agricultural level science played an important role in providing new crop species which are less vulnerable to disease, high yielding and low water requirement.

Pros and cons of GMOs
GMOs
Medical News today

An important invention of science is the process of genetic engineering which scientists use to make Genetically Modifies Organisms (GMOs). GMOs are the organisms whose genetic material has been changed using various genetic engineering techniques.

The process simply involves getting a desirable trait from a donor organism and incorporating it into the host organism to produce the desired trait. The topic of GMOs as widely been a controversial one, with some believing in it as the backbone of our future while others thinking of it as nothing else but a health hazard.

Critiquing GMOs does not hold water mainly because it helps us to combat the problem of food security. GM food has altered genes in it, which increases the shelf life of crops.

The genes in GM plants are desired for tough conditions but maximum results, which means it conserves water, soil and energy to produce maximum food.

It is GM food which boosts up the economic condition of farmers by enabling them to buy high yielding and disease resistance seeds. In addition, GM Plants have become less subjected to some catastrophic disease like smuts and rusts, which declines the agricultural yield.

However, everything comes at a price in some form or other. The most common drawback of GM foods is that it is believed to provoke the growth of cancerous cells and allergic disease.

Another threat regarding GMOs is that it enables the crops to develop genetic resistance against various pests. It leads to the creation of weeds, which ultimately competes for space, light and nutrients with other plants.

Growing GM food, however, is quite expensive in a sense that it requires a lot of resources or inputs, which creates economical complications. The latest analysis of GMO

When it comes to the effect of GMOs on the environment, it is believed that it leads to the disturbance of the ecosystem thus spoiling food chain and food web. However, there is no scientific evidence for most of the cons of GMOs.

In a nutshell, there is not enough proof to consider GMOs as a risk to the environment, or for food and food safety than the conventional methods.

GMOs may have minor effect on human health and environment but can be a very strong potential to overcome the food crisis as well as in the field of medicine.

Flowers blessing

2019-12-16T23:48:00.002+05:00

Since the very beginning, I was very eager to know about flowers. I always wondered how they grow and evolve at later stages I started getting curious about their germination process. Flowers are important for all form of life; it helps in plant reproduction, is used for medicinal purpose, provides food for humans and insects.

Moreover, it is the flowers that make you feel happy and relax and eliminate negative vibes. Flowers are used for versatile purposes like for decoration, making perfumes, to enhance the beauty of the landscape. Like insects, human beings also use some species of flowers, like Rose and Chamomile, to get food. Another important benefit of flowers is that it prevents you from the wrath of other people.

Importance of flowers in nature
Importance of flowers to human
Importance of flowers

In Pakistan, Pattoki near Lahore is known to be the best market for the export of cut flowers to different cities in the country. In the city of Peshawar, you will get to see a display of many species of flowers, due to which the city is also known as ‘the city of flowers’. When it comes to packing of flowers in Pakistan, they are usually wrapped in wooden or paper carton.

In a nutshell, flowers are a blessing that serves many purposes in both our lives and the lives of other life forms. It serves as a source of the major ingredient in many medicinal products. Some insects, like bees, which are on the brink of extinction today can survive only in the presence of flowers. From the birth to death of an individual, flowers help out to add value in various aspects of their life.

Importance of flowers in nature

Agricultural status in Gilgit Baltistan

2019-12-05T17:44:00.003+05:00

Agriculture is the biggest enterprise in the world. It is the science, art and business of rearing crops and animals to provide wool, food and other products. When it comes to agriculture in Pakistan, its natural resources are arable land and water. Agriculture in Pakistan contributes 24% GDP and absorbs 43% of the labour force. Gilgit Baltistan is the northernmost autonomous territory of Pakistan.

The climate of Gilgit Baltistan is mot constant, varies from place to place. Surrounding mountain ranges creates sharp variation in weather patterns. Some of the regions over here are extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. The climate of Gilgit Baltistan best suits to horticultural crops and potato is grown abundantly everywhere. Most commonly agronomic crops are wheat and maize. The mountain farming is very common in entire Gilgit Baltistan and no doubt mountain farming over here is quite prolific than other hilly areas of Pakistan. It is a fact that is no attack of catastrophic pests like aphids. Hence we can say that there is no prevalence of potato leafroll viruses, which decrease the yield of potato crop up to 90% within a short interval of time. Most interestingly Gilgit Baltistan is out of monsoon zone and it is fruitful in a sense that the potato crop is not vulnerable to late blight of potato disease. There is no concept of forcing in Gilgit Baltistan and all crops are grown summer. It has a beneficial aspect that long sunny and cool nights are responsible for the high yield of crops. Gilgit Baltistan is blessed with high mountains like K-2, Broad Peak and Nanga Parbat and many villages are isolated by the Rocky Mountains, Deserts. So there are minimal chances of an epidemic. On the other hand, there are some constraints in the Agriculture of Gilgit Baltistan.

Promotion of Agriculture in Gilgit Baltistan

Supporting Gilgit Baltistan Agriculture Sector

Pakistan Agriculture Research Council

The main burning issue which we are facing is the erosion of genetic material. It is a bitter truth that farmers over here prefer improved cultivars or exotic varieties which leads to erosion of genetic material. So there should be a mechanism to preserve the primitive cultivars because they are indigenous to that place and perform well there and they have the potential to cope with environmental stresses like drought, coolness, salinity. Climate change has also a profound influence on Gilgit Baltistan Agriculture system. As it is fact that the germination period of the crop is becoming short which results in early maturing and low yield of a crop. Secondly, land degradation is more prone to climate change and ultimately many problems arise like waterlogging, soil erosion and leaching of nutrients from the soil surface. There is a rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change and it results in a change in water and precipitation.

Social media curse

2019-11-26T00:45:00.003+05:00

When we think about social media, the first thing that abruptly comes out in our mind is connections with people. ‘Connection’ is a wide term which could be simplified as ‘a relationship in which a person or a thing is associated with something else. Although it connects us with distant people through social media, overall it does more damage to our relations than it builds them. When it comes to the drawbacks of social media, they are infinite like firstly, it indulges us in itself so such an extent that we forget about the people around us.
Social media blessing or curse
Social media blessing or curse
Social media

It is a fact that social media has a role in maintaining our connections to some extent, but on the other hand, its addictive nature is undeniable. It distracts us from what’s happening around and therefore, we start to lose our connections with those around us. Moreover, nowadays social media is all about following celebrities which adds up to its uselessness in building relations.

Secondly, social media allows us to know about our friends’ lives without even talking to them, which prevents us from interacting with them in real life. Whether it’s an update about one’s education, health or just social life it’s known to everyone in the blink of an eye through social media. Consequently, there is no need left to meet the person face to face and talk.

In a nutshell, I would say that critiquing on social media does hold water, though there are a few significance's of social media in terms of building interactions, the adverse effects outweigh them, as it distracts us from the ones around us and decreases the face-to-face connections we should have. Instead, it proves more to be a source of entertainment and refreshment rather than a source of making connections.

Water Scarcity In Pakistan

2019-11-07T17:25:00.002+05:00

This thing is obvious that without water life doesn't exist. Water is important for all form of life. Coming towards its chemistry, it is odourless and colourless substance.

After the Indus basin territory, only two rivers i.e Jhelum and chanab are available to Pakistan, while the availability of water in the remaining three rivers depends upon the will of India.

How to prevent water shortage
A solution to water shortage
Making every drop count

The construction of dams and barrages by India over River Chenab and River Jhelum in the contravention of Indus Basin Treaty created the problem of water scarcity for Pakistan Which is becoming a burning issue now.

According to UNO Report, Pakistan ranked 7^th in the list of countries, which are facing a water crisis. Currently, Pakistan has a surface water of 153 MAF and underground water resources of only 24 MAF and Pakistan may face water shortage of 33 MAF during the year 2015.

The population of Pakistan is increasing at a rate of 3,2%. Presently, we have to feed more than 200 million people and if the population goes on increasing with the same rate, then it will be almost double by the year 2025 and hence it will lead to the problem of food security and water shortage.

The problem of water shortage in Pakistan has gained the momentum as our water shortage capacity is only for 30 days, and Pakistan has the 4^th highest rate of water use in the world. It simply means that water intensity rate, the amount of water in cubic meters used per unit of GDP is the world highest and no countries economy is more water-intensive than that of Pakistan.

The remedial measures needed to overcome the problem of water shortage in Pakistan is

Preparation of country, s water policy
Construction of water reservoirs.
By increasing the water use efficiency of the crops by switching from conventional agriculture to conservative agriculture.
By adopting water use efficient methods of irrigation like Sprinkler, Basin and Drip irrigation.

Climate change as a draw back to Agriculture

2019-10-02T22:53:00.003+05:00

Rising temperature in mountainous boroughs of Gilgit Baltistan has provoked the frequency and intensity of natural disasters like degradation of agricultural land and abrupt change in climatic patterns and floods. The increased number of the glacial lake has reached up-to 3000 as of now. This has created sustainable agriculture and boosted up the economic condition of farmers.

Impact of climate change on agriculture
Climate change impact on agriculture
Climate change the pros and cons in Agriculture

With a change in precipitation patterns and catastrophic floods, farming communities are facing difficulties in raising crops. Sudden cloudbursts, flash floods and violent change in temperature in mountain valleys have caused great distress or annoyance among farmers who are finding it hard to cope up with the vagaries these weather events. There is a lot of potential in terms of agronomy and horticultural crops but due to the exploitation of different diseases and insect infestations, the quality of the product is gradually decreasing. In order to increase the quality of produce, there should be proper and environmental friendly disease and insect pest management practices. Above all, there should be a proper marketing system so that the farmers can easily get access to the market.