June 08, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 03, 1429

HUNZA, June 7: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Shamshad Akhtar has applauded the efforts of community-based organisations (CBOs) to impart skills and develop income generating opportunities for local women and other disadvantaged segment of the society.

Ms Akhtar stated this during her visit to different projects of Karakoram Area Development Organisation (KADO) in Hunza. .

The SBP governor also visited the bank’s branch at Sost Dry Port, different village-level financial institutions, village and women organisations, and small entrepreneurs to find out economic and financial situation in the region.

A group of local farmers also held a meeting with Ms Shamshad and requested her to increase the agriculture loan limit for unsettled areas.

They said due to limited landholding, the local farmers were unable to benefit from the loans facility of the agriculture bank. The agriculture loan limit for settled areas is more than Rs200,000 per kanal and for settled area only Rs8,000 per kanal. environment day: Speakers at separate programmes organised in connection with World Environment Day in Hunza-Gojal region the other day expressed concern over environmental degredation due to climate change and other issues and called for steps to improve the situation.

The day was observed to create awareness of the deteriorating environment with particular focus on solid waste management and glacier melting.

“Keep Hunza clean” moots and rallies were organised in Aliabad, Karimabad, Gulmit, Nasirabad and Sost with the support of local administration, political representatives, business community, academic institutions, boy scouts, girl guides and other public and civil society organisations.