July 10, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 6, 1429

MANSEHRA, July 9: Global warming is a serious threat for the future generations and federal government should allocate more funds for environmental protection and public awareness campaign, say experts.

“The government should strictly and honestly examine development projects and any scheme violating environmental laws should be banned,” said an expert while addressing a Partners’ Assembly here on Tuesday evening.

The event was organised by Sungi Development Foundation to create awareness among the people about global warming and environmental degradation.

Representatives from various national and international NGOs, government departments and environmental experts spoke on the occasion. About 400 participants from Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Battagram, Kohistan and other regions attended the assembly.The speakers highlighted the role of Sungi Partners’ Assembly, saying it not only discussed important issues but also proposed solutions.

They said that Sungi provided them with the opportunity to discuss the burning issue of global warming and pollution, which had affected the environment of the world.

They said that impact of international politics was directly affecting the national issues. Participants of the Partners’ Assembly gave their inputs to overcome the problem.At the end, they demanded of the federal, provincial and district governments to allocate more funds for resolving environmental issues. Public awareness programmes should be initiated on government and public level about climatic changes, they added.

They also sought restriction on sewerage and chemical waste discharge in rivers, canals and water reserves.