Medicinal plants have a vital role in the developing countries for the human and livestock health. Poonch division is mountainous region of Azad Jammu & Kashmir-Pakistan; its diverse geo-ecological conditions reflect huge diversity in medicinal and aromatic plants ranging from herbs to large trees. Effort was made to explore and characterize the potential of various native profitable medicinal and aromatic plants for conservation and documentation. As a result of exploration survey, information was gathered from local communities and plants were selected from various diverse sites likewise thick forest, rangeland and from the mountainous tracks of study areas. The following medicinal plants viz., Kanwar Gandal, Kangi, Maiden Hair furn, Bhang, Amla, Timber, Neem, Dhania, Sumbal, Kochmach, Harnoli, Banfsha, Saffron, Saunf, Datura, Geani and Podina were collected and characterized. Present study would be beneficial to provide quality raw material for our pharmaceutical industry and better return to the local communities.

Pear belongs to genus Pyrus, abundantly found in temperate region of AJ & K reflects rich biodiversity. Such diversity and valuable genetic resources are being eroded due to human over exploitation, and natural calamities. Keeping in view existing genetic diversity and genetic erosion in Pyrus germplasm, the focus of present study was to develop biotechnological conservation strategies by using slow-growth techniques. However in vivo preservation was also implemented to conserve the basic stock under field conditions. The apical shoots of nine pear genotypes were preserved in vitro under minimal growth conditions using low temperature treatments, modification in medium strength and adding mannitol in the basal medium and also by reducing the concentration of BAP and using growth retardants for different storage periods i.e. 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. After twelve months of storage, the culture successfully regenerated into new shoots and they were morphologically similar to those of non-stored.

The State of the AJ &K- Pakistan is situated at the border of floristic regions of the world, various vicarant taxa have been differentiated and may hybridize in the same area and Pyrus is a good example. Biodiversity in indigenous Pyrus germplasm accumulated through extreme diversity in climate, geography, naturalized population and interspecific cross pollination. Further, due to silk trade route system could be promoted the phenomena of biodiversity in Pyrus species. Besides displaying high resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, diverse germplasm are important for genetic improvement of pears. High diversity in pear species is being eroded due to the ecological damage caused by global warming and urbanization. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate potential and limits of molecular technique, evaluate the current genetic structure and classifying highly valuable genotypes. Genetic markers representing highest genetic diversity to all genotypes based on SSRs and Protein (SDS-PAGE) analysis showed the diversity in protein profile need to be exploited. Present study would be helpful to initiate breeding programme and to improve existing pear diverse germplasm.

Awareness and early identification of periodontal diseaseIn diabetic patients is necessary to improve the quality of life, as treating chronic periodontal infections is essential for managing diabetes and to prevent or minimize the systemic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, fatigue, weakness, memory loss, cardiovascular disease and need for amputations, periodontal infection and tooth loss.

Awareness of general and dental health care among adult population is needed as the tooth loss hampers the quality of life, restricts social interaction and communication of an individual. Smoking has been revealed to be a main threat for loss of teeth. However, loss of teeth is not only a pathological condition, in addition diet intake, malnutrition, socio-economic loss of self- sufficiency, and deterioration in quality of life.

Water scarcity is the major challenge being faced around the globe, chiefly pronounced in the developing countries. The existing utilizable water resources are not enough to irrigate the entire cultivable area of the world. The aggravated decreasing trend of per capita water availability resulting from rapidly escalating population therefore requires judicious use of available water resources than ever before. This can be achieved through controlling conveyance losses in distribution network and increasing application efficiency of irrigation water. For this purpose, an On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) package employing modern irrigation systems augmented with improvement of watercourses, laser land levelling and resource conservation technologies is imperative. Present toil was aimed at presenting in-depth discussion on aforesaid components of OFWM package. This book is useful for a broad range of users; from field engineers and extension specialists to water managers at the farm, district, and higher levels for enhancing the water productivity of irrigation projects as well as for a variety of objectives and applications.