KARACHI: People asked to conserve nature: Environment Day observed
KARACHI, June 5: Speakers at a ceremony stressed the need for a timely realization and efficient intervention at all levels to arrest the fast-deteriorating environment and depleting natural resources in the country. They called for modifying public attitude towards conservation of nature and protection of the habitat.
The ceremony was organized to formally designate well-known television artiste Marina Khan as a goodwill representative of the WWF Wetland Centre here on Wednesday.
The event, which also coincided with the World Environment Day, was said to be a step forward enabling the WWF-Pakistan to seek strong and efficient linkage with the masses, ultimately acquiring their meaningful support for protection of the environment.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Pakistan), is for the first time, having any representative for any of its projects in Pakistan. Marina Khan is expected to volunteer her time and talent to conserve the nature by being a local representative of the organization.
Her association with the WWF may also boost efforts to create awareness at the grassroots level about significance of the sustainable use of available resources for the existence of living beings.
Marina Khan, speaking on the occasion, said the World Environment Day commemorated to reflect and celebrate achievements with respect to the environment also offered an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge relevant problems.
Citing people in general to be victims of misconception, she regretted that this had largely contributed towards declining standards, ultimately presenting a grim picture of future.
The TV artiste also lamented the tendency among the people to consider themselves as helpless victims of global catastrophe that is beyond their control and rather a part of grand design of nature.
Negating the belief she said the predicament many people may be finding themselves in was their own doing. Marina attributed it to their ignorance and disrespect for the mother nature.
She also called upon the administrative agencies and the governments of each country to recognize the danger in which they put the entire populations when they do not plan and ensure proper management of bio-diversity by maintaining the balance of life.
“Too many trees have been lost, too many species vanished and too many eyes blinded by what we perceive as progress,” she said, adding that it was time to stop taking from mother nature and instead placing progress in the right perspective.
Ali Hasan Habib, director-general, WWF-Pakistan, said Marina Khan being a person trusted by the people may help the WWF as well as other relevant organizations in putting across a pertinent but difficult message to the masses regarding their responsibilities.
He reminded that despite working for the last 30 years in the country, the WWF-Pakistan and other organizations could not create as much realization towards the issue.
The WWF-Pakistan chief also presented a symbolic key to Marina Khan on the occasion. Later, a documentary film “Contours of Wilderness”, produced by Raza Abbas, was also screened.
SEMINARS: Some revolutionary steps had been taken for environmental upgradation after the 1992 Rio de Jenero earth summit, but the serious efforts which the planet earth needs today are still lacking and for this purpose the NGOs can play a more effective functional role, said provincial secretary, environment and forest, Shamsul Haq Memon.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a seminar on “Environment, Health and Protection”, at the Federation House here on Wednesday.
He said that the problem of pollution would have to be seen through a wide perspective and short and long-term plans would have to be chalked out for its solution.
He said NGOs can play an important role for accomplishment of these projects as there is a greater need for creating awareness among the people against environmental pollution.
Mr Memon emphasized that a lot could be done by organizing seminars in various areas, workshops and publicity campaigns, whereas long-term schemes could be started with the cooperation of the government and industrialists.
He informed the participants that the government was formulating various environmental laws which would be enforced on various industries and against the smoke-emitting vehicles.
The director-general, Environmental Protection Agency, Sindh, Shafiq Ahmed Khoso, said the government was implementing the national environmental quality standards for installation of treatment plants in industries while environmental tribunals and magistrates were also being appointed.
The initial environmental examination, he added, was being made compulsory while a self-monitoring and reporting system had been enforced in industries.
Youths’ role: Sindh Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafiz Shaikh on Wednesday asked the youths to love the country and protect its environment through joint efforts and hard work.
Speaking at a launch ceremony of a video “Faryad”, at Bahria Auditorium to observe the World Environment Day, Dr Shaikh advised the youth not to be cynical as most of the elders in Pakistan have adopted this attitude.
He asked the youths to love the country and work for its better environment. “Never be overwhelmed by odds,” he said, adding that all the problems have solutions so be prepared to face them.
He said this country is a gift of God and it has every blessing in it.
Dr Shaikh asked the youths to develop leadership qualities in them. He said that one person can make a difference and in every great change and revolution only a single person made drastic change.
The minister said that environment is too important to be left for a few people. “All of us have to contribute in its protection,” he added.—APP
