Through the crisp winters and spring blossoms, the quiet landscape of Skardu slowly transforms into a bustling city. Quiet corners of the streets fill with high altitude trekkers, visitors, and tourists who flood the valley each summer. On the surface, this paints a picture of prosperity and new opportunities for the mountain communities of what…
Rising concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere are widely recognized as a primary source of global climate change. Rapid industrialization, increasing energy demand, and continued reliance on fossil fuels have significantly intensified CO₂ emissions from power plants, manufacturing facilities, and transportation systems. Despite the global push toward renewable energy, reaching complete decarbonization will…
Introduction Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, with rice and wheat feeding millions and driving rural livelihoods. Yet, farmers and other relevant stakeholders (policymakers, crop breeders, researchers) alike face a common challenge: knowing the right time to sow, irrigate, and harvest crops. Traditionally, this knowledge has been based on experience and local weather patterns….
Summary/Blog: Clays contain hydrophilic minerals like montmorillonite and illite, which significantly influence their geotechnical behavior. These minerals cause substantial volume changes in response to moisture fluctuations, leading to swelling, shrinkage, and potential structural damage. During desiccation, the tensile stresses within the soil can exceed its strength, resulting in cracking. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in…
