Utilizing degraded
lands and brackish water for growing plants of economic
importance to reduce pressure on fertile lands and
sweet water resources.
Mission
Domesticating
various halophytes to serve as a source of fodder,
forage, biofuel, oil seeds, medicinal plants and
other possible usages.
Rationale behind
establishing the Institute
- Planet earth
is a very salty place to live - almost 3/4th is
covered with water most of which is in saline seas
and salt lakes etc., while estimates show a sizeable
area of land affected by salinity
and more being lost to secondary salinization.
- The subsoil
water in areas not recharged with fresh water is
also generally of poor quality and inimical
for most plants of human consumption.
- Opening new
lands for cultivation is not without dire ecological
consequences while finding additional fresh water
resources is a remote possibility.
- This necessitates
search for suitable alternatives to meet the demands
of burgeoning population and directs attention
to the natural vegetation of those habitats
which have been degraded by salinity.
- The concept
of establishing an elaborate facility for research
on the hitherto under explored potential of
halophytes was hence developed and the Institute
of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization came into
being with support from the University of Karachi
and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
- Research at
the Institute will explore the potential of halophytes
for the benefit of mankind and focus on
a comprehensive approach to understanding the mechanisms
of salt tolerance in these plants through eco-physiological
studies supported by biochemical, genetical and
molecular arguments governing various responses.
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