Earth Day 2015: ‘Youth should play their role in environment conservation’

Events held at Lahore Zoo, EPD to highlight importance of day


Amel Ghani April 23, 2015
Participants of an awareness walk carrying banners to highlight environmental issues at the Lahore Zoo on Wednesday. PHOTO: INP

LAHORE: Youth should be encouraged to play their role in dealing with environmental challenges like deforestation, pollution and water scarcity, Hammad Naqi Khan, the WWF Pakistan director general, said on Wednesday.

He was addressing participants of an event held in Johar Town to mark the Earth Day. The day was first celebrated in 1970. This year, 192 countries celebrated it. This year’s theme was: It’s our turn to lead.

WWF Pakistan had collaborated with Beaconhouse School System Johar Town to celebrate the event. Students at the school wore costumes depicting marine turtles, which is an endangered species. They performed a skit on the importance of the day. An art exhibition was also held, featuring students’ drawings about problems like global warming, air pollution and deforestation.

The day was celebrated throughout the city by several other government, non-government and civil society organisations.

The Kinnaird College for Women University held a plantation drive in collaboration with WWF to commemorate the event.



Lahore Zoo

The Lahore Zoo, in collaboration with the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC), organised various activities to celebrate the Earth Day.

A garbage collection drive was held around the zoo. Activities like face painting were held to engage children. The zoo employees also held an awareness march, carrying banners about the importance of the day. A plantation drive was also held.

Environment Protection Department

The Environment Protection Department (EPD) held a seminar to highlight the importance of the day. Students from several universities listened to environment experts. The speakers and participants pledged to support sustainable practices.

Dr AR Saleemi, a former UET dean, said that Pakistan ranked 148 among 178 countries on the world environment scale.

Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhry from the Punjab University said the western world had changed its approach after it realised the drawbacks of unchecked industrialisation.

EPD Director General Farooq Hameed urged the youth to come forward and take responsibility for environment by making changes in their habits.

Talking to The Express Tribune, EPD Deputy Director Nasimur Rehman Shah said that the department had started a plantation drive along the motorway from Thokar Niaz Baig to the Ravi Toll Plaza.

Trees planted

The day was also celebrated at the Pearl Continental Hotel. Gardeners, staff and hotel management cleaned the hotel premises. The staff also planted six saplings. General Manager Haseeb Amjad Gardezi said that the idea was to raise awareness among the staff regarding environmental protection.

Rescue 1122 celebrates day

The Punjab Emergency Services (Rescue 1122) organised awareness-raising activities in several districts.

Rescue 1122 DG Dr Rizwan Naseer said that participation of students and civil society in the events was evidence of ownership by the community.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2015.

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