Children schooled on mountain conservation

The 21st National Children's Mountain Conservation Meet which was organised by AFP (AFP) from July 11 to 20, 2025 concluded in Islamabad today.

Under this programme each year around one hundred children are selected from all parts of Pakistan to attend a 10-day environment education camp in one of the mountain areas of Pakistan. One hundred children and staff members participated in this year's camp, which was held in the beautiful Siran Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The camp was followed by the Children Mountain Forum held at a hotel in Islamabad in which young participants of the moot made presentations on the theme "Climate Change and its Impact on the Mountain Environment".

National Coordinator of NCMC Meet Project Aftab Rana informed that this flagship programme of AFP was launched on the occasion of International Year of Mountains-2002 with the aim to create awareness among young people about the mountain ecosystems and involve them in meaningful activities using the mountains' environment as an open classroom.

He further informed that this educational programme involves young children in action-oriented learning about the natural environment and its related problems. Participation in this meet makes them conscious enough to do something practical for the conservation and preservation of natural environment by undertaking micro level projects in their communities and schools. The children who attend this Meet are given the title of "Eco-Guards" which gives them confidence to play an active role in their day-to-day life to create awareness about the protection of the natural environment and its important role in our daily life.

Based on the first-hand exposure, the young speakers in their presentations highlighted issues faced by the natural environment in mountainous areas and shared their personal observations with the audience. They also made recommendations to the concerned government departments to address the environmental issues, especially issues related to climate change. At the end of the forum a joint petition was presented by the young representative of NCMC Meet 2025.

Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin, was chief guest of this event. In her closing comments, Marilina appreciated the efforts of AFP to create awareness among the young people about the conservation of natural environment. She said, "In today's world of digital technologies and over consumption, it has become more important that we should make an effort to keep young people in touch with Mother Earth". She emphasised the long-standing cooperation between Italy and Pakistan in mountain and glacier conservation which has been ongoing for over a century.