Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad

Professor of Plant Sciences
Director: Botanic Garden & Herbarium (ISL)
Director: Technology Science Park (QAU)
Head of the Department:
Department of Plant Sciences (QAU)

Short Bio: Prof. Ahmad has established modern digital Herbarium (ISL), Botanical Garden, Technology Science Park, Melissopalynology, Aerobiology, Nutraceutical and Green Biofuel research laboratories. He is among Among Top 2% influential scientist of the World (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). He has published about 813 articles, book chapters, proceedings with ±15095 citations with cumulative Impact Factor of >1200 (H-Index: 60, i10-Index: 332). He has extensive experience in teaching postgraduate courses, supervising M. Phil and Ph.D. students, and mentoring numerous successful graduates.

Keynote title: Interdisciplinary Approaches in Biological Sciences to Sustainable application for alternative Biomass energy, food and health

Abstract: Energy, food and health are three important basic necessities of life. In current era due to fast climatic changes the energy, food and health security are important topics of discussion around the world and Pakistan particularly. Scientists in the World exploring alternative energy, food and health resources for sustainable development. Innovations and emerging technologies are the solution to find out sustainable utilization of plant diversity. Pakistan is host to three of the world’s biggest and most spectacular mountain ranges, the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the Hindukush (HKH). This project confined to explore the commercial products obtained from plant diversity which play an important role in socio-economic welfare and sustainable development of livelihood in Pakistan. This area is endowed with a great diversity of flora and fauna due to variations in altitude, rainfall and climate. The native communities have centuries old knowledge about the plant resources utilization and depends upon directly or indirectly on these resources to meet their daily needs in the form of biomass energy, biofuels, nutraceuticlas, pharmaceuticlas, vegetables, fruits, medicines, wood, timber, fodder, nuts, honey, spices, food and many other NTFPs. Currently, biodiversity in this region is strongly influenced by dynamic climatic changes like rise in global temperature, pollution, fluctuation in rainfall, population pressure, agricultural expansion, deforestation, extensive livestock grazing, resource demand, and commercial timber extraction that intensify the rates of habitat loss, habitat degradation, and wildlife exploitation. Species richness and threats suggest that this area needs strong and prompt conservatory management of biodiversity. The study recommends the development of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, botanical gardens and herbaria based on in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies in in Northern areas of Pakistan to protect regional biodiversity for global acceptance. Indeed, conservation of biodiversity is fundamental to achieving sustainable development in this area particularly and world generally. Maintaining biodiversity is not only crucial for the sustainability in agriculture, energy, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, tourism, health, irrigation and power sectors Pakistan, but is also lifeline for the downstream people in other parts of Pakistan.