Trash of the Titans: Piles of unattended waste cleared from Saiful Malook Lake

1,000 kg of solid waste collected by students during cleanup drive

BALAKOT: Heaps of unattended waste that had accumulated along the banks of Saiful Malook Lake were collected and discarded by a group of students.

At least 1,000 kilogrammes of solid waste has been collected during a cleanup drive that was carried over a span of a few hours.

Speaking to journalists in Balakot on Friday, Naran Hotel Association President Seth Matiullah said the event was organised by a non-government organisation in Lahore.

“They brought students from different schools and colleges to the lake for a picnic,” he said. “However, the purpose of the visit was to clean the picnic spot and ensure all waste was properly cleaned and disposed of.”

According to Matiullah, 250,000 picnickers visited the lake during the three days of Eidul Fitr.

“However, they did not dispose of biodegradable waste, wrappers, tins and other solid waste,” he said. “A majority of visitors threw wrappers in the lake as well. This has caused considerable harm to the environment.”

The association’s president lauded the initiative taken by students.

“Saiful Malook Lake is the biggest attraction for tourists across the country and abroad,” he said.

Matiullah said the association has decided to build awareness among tourists about the importance of the ecosystem and the need to disposing of solid waste in an eco-friendly manner.

“The government and civil society can take a few practical steps to ensure the beauty and grandeur of the lake remains intact,” he added. “Schools and colleges should make it mandatory for students to carry out such drives on a monthly basis.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2016.