Earth day observed at varsities across Sindh

Academia of province hit by climatic vagaries pushes for Planet vs Plastic theme

HYDERABAD:

Various universities and institutions across Sindh marked the Earth Day with a conviction to save the province and the planet from the vagaries of climate change

The Earth Day was celebrated with theme Planet vs Plastics by the University of Sindh (SU) Department of Geography in collaboration with the Green Youth Movement (GYM) Club at varsity's campus.

The geography department and GYM organised an awareness walk and plantation drive to celebrate the day.

SU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Siddique Kalhoro expressed, " Earth Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard our planet. By addressing the menace of plastic pollution through initiatives under the theme 'Planet vs. Plastics,' we must take the crucial step towards preserving the environment for future generations."

The dean of natural science faculty motivated students by reiterating the fact that a plant is capable of giving sufficient oxygen supply to number of people at a time.

Dr Arfana Mallah gave comments while a planting a tree that trees are friends to humanity they are best source to combat climate change.

Geography Dept Chairman Dr Sujo Meghwar emphasised the role of academia in driving environmental stewardship.

Shaista Naz Khan said that Pakistan is one of top 10 nations which are vulnerable to climate change. “We must stand for the noble cause of securing our country by taking steps from our home and university.”

Saadullah Rahoojo said that increasing use plastics is harmful to environment. It causes pollution and give rise to global warming eventually affecting our daily life.

Sindh facing climate change challenges

Experts from Sindh Agriculture University have highlighted that Pakistan, including Sindh was facing significant challenges such as pollution, climate change and salinity in water.

They made these remarks on the occasion of World Earth Day, with theme Planet vs Plastic, jointly organized by the Faculty of Crop Production and the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC), in collaboration with UI Greenmatric University Ranking Initiative on Monday.

Faculty of Crop Production Dean Dr Inayatullah Rajper said a large portion of plastic enters the land, waterways, and oceans every year, causing adverse effects on the environment, water, land and human and animals' health.

He stated that implementation of existing laws to control plastic usage is crucial.

SAU Registrar Ghulam Mohiuddin Qureshi said Sindh was the most affected province by plastic pollution and diseases were also spreading due to plastic contamination and its use in food items.

ORIC Director Dr Tanveer Fatima Miano emphasised that climate change, reduction in forest area, conversion of agricultural land into residential areas and coastal erosion were significant challenges. The event was attended by large number of teachers, students and members of society.

An awareness walk and seminar was organised on the occasion of World Earth Day by Sindh Environment Protection Authority Shaheed Benazirabad at the Government Boys Degree College on Monday.

On this occasion, Dr Gul Amir Sambal, Regional In-charge of SEPA and others gave lecture to the children on the theme Planet vs Plastic on Earth Day and said that it is the responsibility of all of us to protect the earth and ensure the protection of its environment. Sambal said everyone has to play their role to prevent plastic and urged the schoolchildren to use cloth, paper and dry palm leaf baskets instead of plastic bags to bring the use of plastic to zero level.

Sindh Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development, Dost Muhammad Rahmon, Secretary Environment Nabila Umar, and Director General Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Naeem Ahmed Mughal were present on the occasion.

Cleaning the Indus

SEPA and representatives of Jamshoro Chamber of Commerce and Industry marked the Earth Day by cleaning solid waste from the banks of Indus River at Kotri barrage in Jamshoro district on Monday.

In-Charge SEPA Hyderabad Region Abdul Jabbar Jokhio, Deputy Director Imran Ali Abbassi, the chamber's Sajid Junejo, Abdul Salama and others were present on the occasion in addition to participation by women and children.

The participants removed solid waste, especially plastic items from the river bank.

Speaking on the occasion, Abbassi said, “plastic is a threat to the earth and its climate." SEPA officers urged the people to plant more trees.

Meanwhile, SEPA team visited Govt Higher Secondary School Sinjhoro to mark World Earth Day. They urged students, teachers and staff to spread awareness about giving up plastic bags and riverting to the tokri – basket made from thatched date-palm leaves.

SEPA district in-charge Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti while talking to the media informed that the objective of Earth Day was to make the environment free from plastic in which people from every sector have to play their role. He said that plastic does not dissolve easily, it has a lifespan of 100 to 200 years and it is harmful to human health, aquatic life and the environment, so its alternatives should be used. APP

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2024.