Mountain conservation drive for children starts
Under the programme, 120 children are selected from across the country to attend a 10-day camp in mountain environment
The opening ceremony of 10th National Children Mountain Conservation Meet (NCMC) was marked by a colourful ceremony, said a press release issued by the Adventure Foundation Pakistan (AFP) on Wednesday.
The chief guest at the event, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Conservator Wildlife Department Saeeduz Zaman said, “Conservation and protection of natural environment is extremely necessary for a healthy life.” He said that the government had approved several policy frameworks for the protection of biological diversity, which needed the support of people. He also expressed gratitude to the organisers for educating the youth on environmental issues.
AFP President Muhammad Akram said the programme was launched to create awareness among young people regarding mountain ecosystems. “Under the programme, 120 children are selected from across the country to attend a 10-day camp in mountain environment,” he explained.
“The children are engaged in several activities which enable them to learn about the natural environment,” he added.
NCMC National Coordinator Ikram Bashir told that the selected children would visit two valleys in Bagh district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and participate in solid waste collection campaign, art competition and a walk for mountain conservation.
They would also meet the local school children to know about the problems they face in the highlands. The participants would take part in the National Children Mountain Forum at Islamabad on July 12, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2011.