2025

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Browsing 2025 by Author "Aaima Batool"

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    Sunflowers and honeybee
    (UMT Lahore, 2025-07-29) Aaima Batool
    The thesis conducts a research study regarding the potential of untapped opportunities between the mutualistic coexistence of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) and honeybees (Apis mellifera) and the textile industry that include advancing the principles of sustainability, innovation, and circular economies within the industry. Aware of the growing desire to be more environmentally friendly in the production process in textile industries, this study examines the potentials of the corresponding biological, ecological, and economic nature of sunflowers and honeybees to use these connections to establish a more stable and profitable critical path. Sunflowers have multiple uses not only as the source of oil and seeds but also generating biomass and natural dyes that can apply in textile production. At the same time, honeybees are critical pollinators, the presence of which increases the yield and quality of sunflower harvests and numerous other farm products which contribute indirectly to the production of textiles (e.g., cotton, flax and hemp). The thesis examines how proper solicitation of healthy pollinator-plant relationships can strengthen agricultural diversity, enhance supply of raw material and support regenerative farming structures in the textile industry. The study focuses on three main aspects; namely, using the byproducts of sunflowers, the stalks and fibers, the seed husks, and the natural pigment as a means of sustainable textile production as well as biodegradable fabrics and the use of plants as the primary source of dyes. Second, it examines the essence of honeybees in preserving the existence of pollination networks and diversity in agricultural landscapes that give rise to critical textile crops. Third, it assesses the more general environmental and economic consequences of integrating these biological connections into textile manufacture, including lowering dependence on artificial inputs, the enhancement of ecosystem functions, and value creation by traceable and environmentally-friendly supply chains. The final aim is to find new approaches going hand in hand with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) namely responsible production and consumption (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), and life on land (SDG 15).