On June 13, 2024, the Geography Department at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU)
organized a webinar titled United for Land: Our Legacy, Our Future to commemorate
Desertification and Drought Day 2024. The event was held under the supervision of DNI member Dr. Nausheen Mazhar, Chairperson and Associate Professor of the Geography Department, and Head of the International Research Collaboration (IRC) at the Directorate of Faculty Development and
Internationalization (DFDI), LCWU. Dr. Nausheen moderated the webinar.
The webinar featured distinguished keynote speakers who presented on various aspects of
desertification and sustainable land management:
Talk 1:
Dr. Troy Sternberg, Doctor of Philosophy, Geography, University of Oxford, U.K. Senior Researcher,
University of Oxford, School of Geography.
Dr. Sternberg explored the critical roles and rights of women herders in Mongolia, emphasizing their
contributions to sustainable land management and future challenges.
Talk 2:
Dr. Zheng Hong Kong, Ph. D. Human Geography and Environment, University of York, Ph. D. in
Restoration Ecology.
Dr. Zheng provided insights into the efforts to combat desertification in China, highlighting
community-based approaches and the perspectives of local populations.
Talk 3:
Mr. Muhammad Farooq, Forest Officer GOP, Masters in Forestry, University of Missouri, Columbia
USA. Former advisor NESPAK, Ex-National Consultant World Bank Group, Provincial Coordinator
UNDP for Punjab.
Mr. Farooq shared successful case studies of rainwater harvesting initiatives in Pakistan, showcasing
their impact on forestry and rangeland activities in arid regions.
Talk 4:
Ms. Sana Arshad Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, IUB discussed innovative
approaches for assessing droughts and desertification using remote sensing and artificial
intelligence, emphasizing advancements towards enhancing the resilience of arable lands.
This informative webinar provided valuable insights into the conditions and challenges of
desertification across different regions, utilizing diverse methodologies and perspectives. The event
aimed to foster greater understanding and collaboration in addressing the critical issue of
desertification and promoting sustainable land management.
The Webinar has been acknowledged by UNCCD as one of the significant events held in Asia, on
Desertification and Drought Day 2024. This webinar can be seen as a part of events around the
world, Asia, Pakistan:
https://www.unccd.int/events/desertification-drought-day/2024/events-around-world
Recording link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/a-bfN6C4-t8
