Students paint endangered alpine species

The students from different universities and colleges of the twin-cities took part in a live painting competition on the theme “Restoring the Mountain Ecosystems” at the Rawalpindi Art Gallery on Monday.

The contest was part of the 10-day long 13th edition of Pakistan Mountain Festival being organised by the Devcom-Pakistan. The collaborating partners included the Punjab Arts Council Rawalpindi and the Snow Leopard Foundation.

The participants used oil and acrylics on their canvases to reflect the mountain ecosystems. They especially highlighted the challenges confronting the endangered species including brown bear, snow leopard, markhor and several others. They also painted the struggle of communities in combating real-life challenges in the changing climate, women in mountain ecosystem conservation, and cultural heritage from the northern parts of Pakistan. They depicted the impact of climate change on life in mountains besides the aesthetic value.

Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director and founder of Pakistan Mountain Festival Munir Ahmed said: “Mountains are the hub of valuable natural resources that are being compromised because of irrational practices. We need to put every effort into keeping the mountain ecosystems intact.”

Snow Leopard Foundation Assistant Director Shoaib Hameed said restoration of the mountains’ ecosystems under the framework of climate resilience shall be the focus to empower communities to protect their homelands. He said their foundation is engaged in snow leopard conservation and protection in 12 countries.

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Kanwal Maqsood, a student of Rawalpindi Women University, painted the Himalayan brown bear while another participant, Zoha Khan painted the endangered snow leopard.

Culture show

A group of artists from Gilgit Baltistan amused audiences with their stunning performances at the Punjab Arts Council (PAC).

PAC held the 'Gilgit Baltistan Cultural Show' to promote the diverse cultural heritage of Pakistan.

Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha was the chief guest of the event. While addressing the event, Chatha said culture was the mirror of a nation while cultural values were a beacon for the bright future of nations.

“The flowers of peace and security bloom in a society where positive cultural values are promoted.” He said nations were called alive and advanced in the world who were civilised.

"Society is prosperous if its culture is sustainable and only a country can develop which has a living civilization and a positive culture at its roots.” The commissioner on the occasion announced a special grant of Rs0.1 million for artists from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). PAC Director Waqar Ahmed said the programme aimed to enlighten the people of the twin cities with the cultural values of GB. “The doors of PAC are always open for the people of GB to hold cultural programmes, he said and added that the fascinating and unique colours of GB's civilization and culture were presented in the programme. The programme opened with a special tune by Gloor, a desi band.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2023.