The Punjab has diverse vegetation types occurring in isolated patches like graveyards, forest plantation and prohibited areas under armed forces and salinity/ sodicity affected soils. Desert and semi-desert vegetations occur in Cholistan and Thar areas, the mountain regions of Punjab and edges of Suleman Range near Rajan Pur have hot mountainous type vegetation. The southern edge of the Potohar Plateau is demarcated by famous salt range of Pakistan. Findings exhibited that how water table, drought, aridity, manmade deforestation, over/ uncontrolled grazing and browsing wiped out the precious plant and algal diversity. This valley needs conservation by adopting different measures and joint efforts of local people, the Government and NGOs. Furthermore, in this study the threatening categories of plant species are identified and also grouped into different biological classes. The species, which are important for ecosystems like endemic and keystone, are given priority for said conservation campaign. This study would lay a foundation for conservation of natural habitat of non-conventional leguminous forage and fodder treasures that is under alarming threats.

Environmental pollution occurs due to release of harmful gases from industrial units. It results in the form of acid rain either wet or dry form. Factories, vehicles, power stations and industries burn fossil fuels and produce harmful gases, comprising sulfur dioxide, or oxides of nitrogen, which become the major course of acid rain. Acid rain sometimes falls in the form of precipitation which can be snow, rain, dew or fog. Dry deposition is absorption of particles such as polluting gases, dust particles and gaseous elements by the surface of the Earth. The pH level of acid rain may be less than 7 but when the concentration of pollutants increases in the atmosphere, it further decreases and strong acids like sulfuric and nitric acid are formed. Acid rain induces visible lesion injury on plant shoots and on other tissues. It also destroys epicuticular wax; reduces photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll contents. Acid rain in plants can considerably reduce plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight contents. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of simulated acid rain on the growth performance of Wheat and Oat crops.

Residue analysis of chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate pesticide) was investigated in different water samples. Analysis was carried out in collaboration with pesticide residue laboratory Kala Shah Kaku due to the availability of latest chromatographic techniques. Chlorpyrifos was analyzed in different samples of water collected from different sites of Lahore. Sample preparation was done by using Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) technique. Analysis was carried out using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Acetonitrile, methanol solvents were used as mobile phase to achieve the best separation. Chlorpyrifos was detected in 0.161 mg/L-1.912mg/L concentration ranges. Maximum residue limit of chlorpyrifos in drinking water established by either World Health Organization (WHO) or European Union (EU) is 0.040mg/L. The highest concentration of chlorpyrifos residue was 1.912mg/L in water sample collected from Kala Shah Kaku. Study of residue analysis of chlorpyrifos in water has the significant role to solve the environmental problems related to pesticides.

This paper analyzes the persistence of fragility in some sub-Saharan African states and the multiple dimensions of state weakness that are simultaneously at play. This study also provides an overview of the analytics of fragility, conflict, and international engagement with fragile states before turning to an assessment of the current state of affairs and the areas in which there has been progress in building resilience. The paper also looks at the role of fiscal policies and institutions and analyzes growth accelerations and decelerations. Seven country case studies help identify more concretely some key factors at play, and the diversity of paths followed, with an emphasis on the sequencing of reforms. The paper concludes with a summary of the main findings and policy implications.