Save the environment: Raising awareness through 3-D models

More than 10,000 people attended the WWF’s 16th Annual Nature Carnival.

LAHORE:

Students from around 80 schools displayed 3D models representing various environmental themes at the WWF’s 16th Annual Nature Carnival at Race Course Park on Sunday.

More than 10,000 people flocked to the carnival.

Themes including Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, Benefits of Trees, Green Neighbourhoods, Health, Hygiene and Environment, Disaster Management, Watershed Management, Illegal Hunting and Environment Management Systems were presented through 3D models. Students accompanying the models explained their purpose to the visitors.



WWF media and press relations coordinator Nuzhat Saadia Siddiqi told The Express Tribune that the WWF organised the carnival every year to provide students opportunities to present innovative solutions to environmental problems. “Children are the leaders of tomorrow...we hope they will serve the planet better than their elders,” she said. “The government could learn a few things from them.”

Several activities including an art competition, a quiz competition, an essay competition, a magic show, puppet shows, a lucky draw, live music and an environmental theatre performance were organised.

Gifts and souvenirs like wrist watches, mobiles, T-shirts and mugs were distributed among the participants.

Ajwad Ali Rizvi, a student of grade 5 at The City School, said, “The football stall and magic show were the best.”

Around 90 stalls were set up and 15 of them served pathuray, gol gappay, dahi bhalay, pizza, coffee, juices, paan, and burgers.

Akbar Ali, who had set up the pathuray stall, said, “I paid Rs20,000 to set up this stall and recovered the amount in less than two hours.” A plate was priced at Rs60.



Bilal Ali, a student of grade 5 at Beaconhouse, said, “I have always wanted to perform in public...I got a chance to do that today.”

Ahmed Khan and Sarah Ahmed received wrist watches for collecting waste from the carnival ground.

WWF-Pakistan Director General Ali Hassan Habib said, “Environmental education should be a specific component of our school curriculum. We can only create an environmentally sensitive population by instilling awareness in our young ones.”

Minister for Education and Youth Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan, who was the chief guest, said, “We need to make Pakistan green. The WWF is doing a wonderful job in raising awareness about green economy among the masses and supporting the government.” He said it was important to make children aware of the importance of cleanliness and participating in sports.

The team from Beaconhouse Johar Town Junior won first prize and the Supreme Education School System stood second for their 3D model on the theme Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Laurel Bank Shalimar Campus stood first and Punjab School Junior stood second for their models in the Benefits of Trees category. The team from Lahore Grammar School’s EME branch received the first prize for its 3D model on Green Neighbourhoods.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2014.