“一带一路”热带干旱经济林工程技术研究中心

The Belt and Road Engineering Research Center for

Tropical Arid Non-wood Forest

The first China-Pakistan Tropical Arid Non-wood Forest

science and technology exchange event
 Exploration of China-Pakistan Tropical Arid Non-wood Forest science and
technology Cooperation’s in Gwadar, Pakistan – A qualitative review paper
Paper presenters:
Paper Ms. Razia Junaid, Chinese Liaison Officer & Lecturer
presented to: Ms. Misbah Amin, Research Fellow
 Team Introduction

Ms. RAZIA JUNAID Ms. MISBAH AMIN

Chinese Liaison Officer & Lecturer- Faculty Member & Research Fellow -
Indus University Indus University
Table of Contents
•Problem Statement
•Research Objectives
•Research Methodology
•Data Analysis
•Conclusion
•Recommendations
•Indus Work
Research Background
• Pakistan’s agricultural sector contributes around 24% of Pakistan’s
GDP1

• Increasing weather changes may impact the agricultural economy as

well as the livelihoods of people living in the agricultural region.2

• A lot of effort is needed to collaborate at the national and international level,

in order to control climate change impacts and increase forestation in the arid
lands of the country.

1: Raza, Ali, & Mehboob, 2012

2: Fahad, & Wang, 2018; Eckstein, Künzel, & Schäfer, 2021; Mir, Purohit, & Mehmood, 2017;
3: Kamal, Yingjie, & Ali, 2019; Mumtaz, 2021
Problem Statement
Climate extreme are causing a direct and indirect impact on the ecosystem, due
to which thermal variations bring cold and warm weather, and hydrological
irregularities which are causing floods and droughts1

A study reported that the weather changes are causing asymmetrical

droughts within the Baluchistan region, which may create a challenge in
implementing the multibillion dollar Baluchistan coastal development
projects of the Pakistani port of Gwadar 2

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor, for which Gwadar is known to be a

gateway to the Middle East, for the business endeavor’s across Pakistan, and
it is critical to find ways to develop greenery in this region, make it fertile land
and conduct research to understand the challenges of agricultural
development at the Gwadar Region. 1: Abbas et al., 2018; Eresanya et al., 2021
2: Abbas et al., 2018
Problem Statement
• Less is known about the tropical arid non-wood forests science and
technology integrations and opportunities to convert arid land into a
forestry region.

• There is limited evidence on how conversion of Gwadar’s arid land into a Non-wood
food products (NWFP) and Non-wood timber products (NWTP) production through
China-Pakistan cooperation, will be helpful for both the countries

1: Raza, Ali, & Mehboob, 2012

2: Fahad, & Wang, 2018; Eckstein, Künzel, & Schäfer, 2021; Mir, Purohit, & Mehmood, 2017;
3: Kamal, Yingjie, & Ali, 2019; Mumtaz, 2021
Research Objective
• To understand the current status
quo of tropical arid non-wood
forest region in Gwadar Pakistan

• To investigate the challenges and

opportunities for China-Pakistan
Tropical Arid Non-wood Forest science
and technology Cooperation’s in
Gwadar

• To present recommendations for

fostering China-Pakistan Tropical Arid
Non-wood Forest science and
technology Cooperation’s in Gwadar
Research Methodology

Method •Qualitative Method

Philosophy •Interpretivism Philosophy

Approach •Inductive Approach

Data Analysis •Content Analysis

Data Analysis
Tropical Arid Non-wood Economic Forest Significance

• The evidence shows that rural population depends on the NWFP products for
their livelihoods and gets employment in the agricultural and harvesting industry
• These products are also used as a source of foreign exchange as well as
biodiversity, etc (Arnold, & Ruiz Pérez, 1996; Ozugurlu, & Duzgun, 2000).
• Many scholars report that there is a dire need to perform scientific research for
converting tropical arid regions into economic forest regions (Mitchard, 2018;
Bardgett et al., 2021; Siyum, 2020).
• Analysis reveals that decision makers should take into account the NTFP and
NWFPs values that people are already driving (Arnold, & Ruiz Pérez, 1996).
• Forest provides income to an economy by means of its products (Mitchard, 2018;
Bardgett et al., 2021; Siyum, 2020; Suleiman et al., 2017; Huber et al., 2019).
Tropical Arid Non-wood Forest Scientific & Technological Exchanges

• The current biological resources are depleting and scientists are applying various
scientific and technological methods that could convert arid regions into fertile regions
(Clay et al., 2014; Wang, Jiang, & Wu, 2017; Brussaard et al., 2010).
• The analysis reveals that previously, a number of scientific and technological techniques,
have been applied by the agriculturalists and scientists; for instance; geo-spatial
techniques, geographic information systems, assessment of terrestrial carbon stock,
plant grafting, changing of soil biological, chemical and physical properties using
technology, plant tissue culture techniques, tree plantation, etc to improve the
conditions of barren lands and converting them to fertile lands (Clay et al., 2014; Wang,
Jiang, & Wu, 2017; Brussaard et al., 2010).
• However, research reveals that the implementation of these techniques and research is
insufficient (Clay et al., 2014; Wang, Jiang, & Wu, 2017; Brussaard et al., 2010).
Additionally, some of the scientific methods used to convert non-arid lands into arid
lands are not sustainable. These conversions are helpful for short periods of time, and
there is a need to recognize long-term climate change events ramifications and land-use
changes on arid lands.
China-Pakistan Tropical Arid Non-wood Forest Scientific Research
Cooperation - Challenges & Opportunities
• Currently, Pakistan and China are collaborating on different avenues, for the betterment of the
economies (Technology Times., 2021; China Economic Net., 2021). One of the Chinese professors
developed a tissue culture lab and collected information regarding tropical arid economic plants within
the Gwadar region. The purpose of this lab is to foster scientific and technological research and find out
ways to increase agricultural foot flow across this region. This lab demonstrates woody grain & oil
species, woody floral species, and woody fodder species, which are also introduced within the Gwadar’s
cultivation demo department.
• The analysis reveals that technical and scientific research integrations to develop a barren land into an
agricultural region, requires a huge investment. Research and development requires funding to ensure
that the land is converted rightly, using right frameworks and policy structures.
• A critical aspect is to ensure that the technological methods and scientific approaches are sustainable
and have long-term impact, to conserve natural resources, and reduced commercialization. One way is
to convert the land, organically, rather artificially. A study from Turkey reported huge number of
publications on the forestry sector, and presented guidelines for the sustainable NWFPs management in
Turkey (Ozugurlu, & Duzgun, 2000). This is because; NWFPs and NTFPs are source of income and
livelihood for many (Basu, 2018; Gaoue et al., 2017).
• The study reported the ecological, management and protection measures to be taken for the sustainable
production of NWFPs (Basu, 2018; Gaoue et al., 2017). The study also reported actors; forestry
institutions, state agency professionals, local people, forest users, small scale entrepreneurs, tourism
agencies, and other stakeholders that could potentially contribute in this sustainable conversions
(Ozugurlu, & Duzgun, 2000).
Conclusion
• The study conclude that the
collaboration between China and
Pakistan is a great opportunity for both
the countries

• There is a need to test novel scientific

methods and integrate technology to
promote sustainable economic forestry
growth in Gwadar
Recommendations
• Measure the impact of non-wood products in
increasing the livelihoods and employments of
the local people (economic forests)

• Develop policy and approaches that could

encourage international collaborations for
forestry growth and development in Pakistan

• China and Pakistan collaboration in form of a

tropical arid non-wood forest production
scientific research and technological exchange
is a great opportunity.

• Countries may explore different scientific

approaches and research techniques for the
betterment of Gwadar arid lands and
conversion into fertile lands.
Highlighting Work Done by Indus
University
Chancellor of Indus University visited our research area where
we planted wheat crops on the large scale.
Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant
community characterized by vegetation dominated by shrubs,
often also including grasses, herbs, it’s a fast growing plant and
grows between 30° and 40° North and South latitude.
We planted Nightshade which is a family of plants that includes
tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. Tobacco is also in
the nightshade family. Nightshades are unique because they
contain small amounts of alkaloids. Alkaloids are chemicals that
are mainly found in plants.
We planted Ground Roses on a large scale of land.
 Papayas grow in tropical climates and are also known as
papaws. Their sweet taste, vibrant color, and the wide variety
of health benefits ,these all benefits make them a popular
fruit, the papaya, a previously exotic and rare fruit, is now
available at most times of the year at our plantation area.
Mexican Marigold can mature to the grand height of 3 to 4 feet. This
plant is also referred to as the African marigold, the beaming,
saffron-hued faces of marigolds have long been compared to the
sun. Varieties come in shades of yellow and orange with large, full
blooms that are 3 to 6 inches in diameter with green stems.
Different kinds of leafy plants which need indirect sun light, to
protect these plants we use shade on it.
A small botanical garden is located at research area, it is
dedicated to the collection, cultivation, preservation and
display of a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical
names.
These are Shrubs which we planted on a large scale at our
research area, in botany and ecology a shrub is defined as a
much-branched woody plant less than 8 m high and usually
with many stems. Tall shrubs are mostly 2–8 m high, small
shrubs 1–2 m high and subshrubs less than 1 m high.
Marry Gold flowers and ground roses in beautiful and different colors.
Another set of leafy plants to remove pollutants from the air by
absorbing these gases through their leaves and roots.
Freshly harvested organic vegetables like cabbage, radish and
mint from our fields.
These are some indoor plants which help to purify air and
absorb Carbon Dioxide and keep Oxygen flowing, they purify
the air by removing toxins, help to deter illness, ease tension
and lower stress, creates a relaxed and happy ambience.