Compassionate vision

Bulhan Foundation seeks to instil care and compassion for all forms of life at the heels of an environmental crisis

In a world that often seems to be hurtling forward with little regard for the delicate balance between humanity and the environment, a beacon of hope has emerged from the heart of Pakistan. Artist and social activist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr, his sister Fatima Bhutto, and their friend Menaal Munshey have united to inaugurate the Bulhan Foundation — an initiative with a profound mission to sow the seeds of care and compassion for all forms of life, be they human or non-human.

Their emblem, the Indus River Dolphin, known locally as the bulhan, stands as a sentinel for this mission. This charismatic creature symbolises the interconnectedness of life along the shores of the Indus Delta, and its threatened existence mirrors the fragile state of our environment. With an unyielding belief that humanity’s progress need not come at the cost of erasing its cultural roots and endangering the diversity of life, the foundation has set forth a comprehensive vision that encompasses both environmental conservation and preservation of indigenous heritage. The foundation envisions a path where progress enriches rather than extinguishes the intricate tapestry of life. This is a paradigm that deserves global attention — a model that champions not just economic advancement but the flourishing of communities rooted in their unique cultural and natural landscapes. Progress should be pursued hand in hand with the protection of cultural integrity and biodiversity.

As Bulhan Foundation takes its first steps, it faces a world teetering on the precipice of an environmental crisis. But it also enters this realm with an inspiring vision of a future where compassion, cultural heritage and ecological preservation go hand in hand. Such initiatives should be supported to the fullest in order to save this rich, vibrant land from the forces that are hellbent on destroying it.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2023.

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