Attract youth towards biodiversity conservation

Speakers stress community development, making citizens responsible for nature

ISLAMABAD:

With mountain communities coming under increasing pressure, primarily from a ballooning population, it is only apt that the biggest bulge in the national population, the youth, are attracted towards conserving mountain communities and biodiversity for their own better future.

This was stressed on Monday by speakers during an interactive seminar organised by the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation, Mivida Pakistan, DTN and Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) for youth and mountain communities in connection with 10th Pakistan Mountain Festival on Monday.

Pakistan Mountain Festival Founder and Director Munir Ahmed said that the conservation of mountain resources and biodiversity is the responsibility of every citizen, whether they are living in the mountains or downstream.

Mivida Pakistan Eco-conservation Initiatives Director Safwan Shahab said that community youth should be empowered to take up the responsibility of mountain conservation through small but significant local initiatives.

We need to educate mountain communities and engage in conservation efforts to decrease the mountain's biodiversity loss, he said.

Young environmentalist and junior ambassador Pakistan Wildlife Foundation Minahil suggested the youth develop social media platforms to highlight mountain treasures and challenges.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2020.