Nature festival: Children step up to protect the environment

They made models to highlight dangers to wildlife


Our Correspondent November 15, 2015
The annual event was a joint initiative of the WWF-Pakistan and Horlicks-GSK Consumer Healthcare. PHOTO: fb.com/HorlicksPakistan

LAHORE:


The 17th Nature Festival was held at Race Course Park on Sunday providing children with an opportunity to learn about their environment.


The annual event was a joint initiative of the WWF-Pakistan and Horlicks-GSK Consumer Healthcare. A large number of children participated in the festival; some of them displayed their projects.

Around 100 stalls were set up by various schools and colleges. The activities involved the use of recycled material to make a small race track.



“This is a wonderful opportunity for children to learn how old materials could be re-used,” said Fatima Haider whose 10-year-old son Zauraiz Haider was engrossed in the activity.

Some of the children gathered at a face-painting stall to have animals’ sketches painted on their cheeks. A puppet show and musical performances were also a hit. The models on display focused on environmental issues including recycling, dangers to aquatic life and protection of endangered species such as ibex, snow leopard and vulture.

“I am the main fish… the leader of all the fish,” said Muhammad Abduallah, a grade 2 student from Lords International School. Abdullah and his six class fellows were dressed as fish surrounded by garbage to depict pollution in sea.

Syeda Zainab Shah was dressed as a seahorse. “Sea animals are dying because of plastic materials people throw in the water,” she said. “The practice is very harmful to sea life.”

Some students from The Foundation Campus had created decorative items using plastic bottles and boxes. “It took me two days to finish this,” said Muhammad Suleman pointing to a green basket made from a plastic bottle.

Grade 3 and 4 students from the Lahore Grammar School, EME, had created a model depicting habitats of some endangered species. “Vultures are dying because of pesticides and diclofenac,” said Ghulam Mustafa, a grade 4 student. He said vultures fed on the meat of farm animals and died due to presence of the chemical in their bodies.

Sara Riaz from grade 3 said, “Markhors (ibex) and snow leopards are losing their habitat.” She said the animals were being hunted for their skin and horns. “They are also used for trophy hunting,” she said.The models on display were part of a competition.

WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi said he was hopeful that the children would become more sensitive towards the environment. “The carnival will help spread the message of environment protection, particularly among children who are the stewards of change,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2015.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ