Raising awareness: Two walks and a colloquium on environmental issues
Participants talk about protecting the environment.
LAHORE:
A walk and a seminar were arranged on Friday by the Rescue 1122 and the Environment Protection Department respectively.
Students and civil society members took the occasion to voice their concerns about increasing pollution and deforestation.
Walks for a cause
The Rescue 1122 sponsored a walk from its office on Ferozepur Road to Gaddafi Stadium.
The participant included Rescue 1122 officials, researchers at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), environmentalists and students from several colleges.
They carried banners and placards with environment-friendly messages and resolutions for saving the earth’s environment.
Rizwan Naseer, the Rescue 1122 director general, addressed the participants and talked about several issues and their prospective solutions. He said the walk was not a ‘media stunt,’ but a step towards spreading awareness among people regarding the impending environment problems.
“An unclean environment eventually results in uneasiness, depression and frustration. Many people may not realise this. This is why we need to make them aware of it,” he said,
He said that a small step by an individual, like planting a tree, can bring a major change in the environment. He said that Rescue 1122 was imparting environment education at many schools. By June this year, he added, the Rescue 1122 officials would have given lectures in almost all schools across the Punjab.
Talking to The Express Tribune, he said that only four per cent of the land in Pakistan was covered with forests. He said that the percentage was alarming and immediate steps were needed to improve it.
“We should not look up to the government to doing every thing. The people need to fulfill their responsibilities towards the country.” He suggested that trees be planted in unused land and open spaces across the city.
He commended the efforts of the Punjab University, which he said, had utilised its open spaces and grounds well by growing trees and shrubs.
“If Defence and Model Town areas can improve their environment by plantation, why can’t other societies do the same?” he said.
He also said that citizens should avoid littering as litter caused breathing problems and skin and lung diseases.
The Civil Aviation Authority also held a walk near the Allama Iqbal International Airport followed by a ceremony. Amir Mehboob, the airport manager, inaugurated the walk by planting a tree at the Airport Park.
EPD colloquium
A seminar was held at the Institute of Punjabi Languages and Culture by the Environmental Protection Department in connection with the Earth Day.
Speakers at the seminar briefed the participants about threats to the environment. They also discussed people’s lack of awareness and carelessness about these issues and how it was aggravating the problems.
Khalid Hameed, the Business Dynamics executive director at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, made a presentation on a recently introduced plastic product named Oxo-Biodegradable Additives.
He explained that the Controlled-Life Plastic products decomposed within five to six months of use and urged the audience to support them.
He said introducing this technology would help cut the hazards for animals, which faced adverse effects due to plastic products. He said the LCCI had contributed with some 250,000 trees.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2011.
A walk and a seminar were arranged on Friday by the Rescue 1122 and the Environment Protection Department respectively.
Students and civil society members took the occasion to voice their concerns about increasing pollution and deforestation.
Walks for a cause
The Rescue 1122 sponsored a walk from its office on Ferozepur Road to Gaddafi Stadium.
The participant included Rescue 1122 officials, researchers at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), environmentalists and students from several colleges.
They carried banners and placards with environment-friendly messages and resolutions for saving the earth’s environment.
Rizwan Naseer, the Rescue 1122 director general, addressed the participants and talked about several issues and their prospective solutions. He said the walk was not a ‘media stunt,’ but a step towards spreading awareness among people regarding the impending environment problems.
“An unclean environment eventually results in uneasiness, depression and frustration. Many people may not realise this. This is why we need to make them aware of it,” he said,
He said that a small step by an individual, like planting a tree, can bring a major change in the environment. He said that Rescue 1122 was imparting environment education at many schools. By June this year, he added, the Rescue 1122 officials would have given lectures in almost all schools across the Punjab.
Talking to The Express Tribune, he said that only four per cent of the land in Pakistan was covered with forests. He said that the percentage was alarming and immediate steps were needed to improve it.
“We should not look up to the government to doing every thing. The people need to fulfill their responsibilities towards the country.” He suggested that trees be planted in unused land and open spaces across the city.
He commended the efforts of the Punjab University, which he said, had utilised its open spaces and grounds well by growing trees and shrubs.
“If Defence and Model Town areas can improve their environment by plantation, why can’t other societies do the same?” he said.
He also said that citizens should avoid littering as litter caused breathing problems and skin and lung diseases.
The Civil Aviation Authority also held a walk near the Allama Iqbal International Airport followed by a ceremony. Amir Mehboob, the airport manager, inaugurated the walk by planting a tree at the Airport Park.
EPD colloquium
A seminar was held at the Institute of Punjabi Languages and Culture by the Environmental Protection Department in connection with the Earth Day.
Speakers at the seminar briefed the participants about threats to the environment. They also discussed people’s lack of awareness and carelessness about these issues and how it was aggravating the problems.
Khalid Hameed, the Business Dynamics executive director at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, made a presentation on a recently introduced plastic product named Oxo-Biodegradable Additives.
He explained that the Controlled-Life Plastic products decomposed within five to six months of use and urged the audience to support them.
He said introducing this technology would help cut the hazards for animals, which faced adverse effects due to plastic products. He said the LCCI had contributed with some 250,000 trees.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2011.