KARACHI, April 22: Like elsewhere in the world, local groups in the megapolis, though on a limited scale, also observed the Earth Day on Tuesday.

The day’s activities were originally aimed at drawing the attention of the political establishments towards environmental degradation and conservation measures.

The celebrations of the day, since after the first on April 22, 1970, when about 20 million Americans rallied, every years focus on concerns about what is happening to the land, rivers, lakes and air.

Hundreds of students, at three different schools in the city, were apprised about the environmental problems and what they could contribute towards the betterment of the environment, locally and globally as well. A “caravan of environmental awareness” held shows at three schools, formerly run by KMC, at PIB Colony, Sindhi Muslim Society and PIDC Road.

The caravan was taken out jointly by Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, the education department of the local bodies wing of the city government and the Pfizer Laboratories.

The students were not only enthralled, but also informed by a group of students playing animal characters amid artwork, about land, water, marine, noise and industrial pollution.

The team of students took the stage at the three schools, specially prepared for the day, and tried to develop a consensus on the fact that environmental pollution was their common and a harmful enemy, like other social menaces, including poverty, illiteracy and backwardness.

The caravan comprised teachers, students, social workers and government officials as well.

The caravan was welcomed by the Director-General EPA, Shafique Ahmed Khoso, at Jamshed Ahmed Khan School, PIDC building.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that the Earth Day called for a collective action with missionary zeal to make the environment safe and clean.

Students of some other schools also held different activities, including beach cleansing, during the day, which was originally conceived by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who is also considered the founder of Earth Day, in 1962.

The caravan went through thoroughfares of the city on its way to different schools. The caravan also distributed among students autograph books with thought-provoking messages inscribed on each, add APP/PPI.

Sindh chief secretary K. B. Rind has said that the environmental development is the fundamental need of the time which can be achieved by streamlining the linkage of economic activities with the proviso that they are not harmful to environment.

He also emphasized the need for strengthening the environmental development with a view to improvising the living standard of the common man.

He expressed these views while speaking at the inauguration of a “national workshop on ‘Eco-Economics - the winning strategy” at the Institute of Bankers Pakistan. The workshop was organized by an NGO “Progress” here on Tuesday.

The chief secretary noted that the EPA had been playing a vital role in ensuring the eradication of pollution aimed at ascertaining the task of economic development.

He elucidated that inception of CNG bases in Karachi has helped in reducing pollution, while a treatment plant is being installed in Karachi whereas other districts would also be provided with similar facilities to overcome the apprehensions of pollution.

K. B. Rind, elaborating the development activities of the government, viz., Thar Coal Project, Gorakh Hill Area, RBOD, KPP, Coastal Development Plant and other salient features, maintained that these activities would ensure economic development, including creating avenues of employment in the province.

He, however, opined that coordination among the nation-building factors and NGOs should also be extended closely so that more efforts for economic development could be undertaken.

Earlier, Dr. Wajid of “Progress” welcomed the Chief Secretary and other guests.