KARACHI: Stressing the need for adopting practices for protection and conservation of environment, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi has said that human actions, including deforestation, encroachment on wildlife habitats, intensified agriculture and acceleration of climate change, are pushing nature beyond its limits.

“If we continue on this path, biodiversity loss will have severe implications for humanity, including the collapse of food and health systems,” he said in a message on the occasion of the World Environment Day falling on Friday (today).

“World Environment Day is celebrated internationally to raise awareness about the protection of the Earth’s natural systems, galvanise support to focus on threats that the environment faces and consider ways that can help mitigate these threats. This year’s World Environment Day slogan is ‘Celebrate biodiversity’. Biodiversity is the foundation that supports all life on land and below water. It affects every aspect of human health, provides clean air and water, nutritious food, natural disease resistance and climate change mitigation.

PN chief in his message urges measures for conservation of environment

“The Pakistan Navy [PN] celebrates Wor­­ld Environment Day to highlight the sig­­nificance of environment in Pakistan and to promote awareness amongst personnel in proactively pursuing measures focusing on the marine environment. The PN has already initiated numerous measures and actions ranging from collection of solid waste from harbour, establishment of reed bed plants in all areas under its jur­­isdiction besides extensive tree plantation campaigns. The PN also continues to sensitise concerned government and non-government organisations and departments to initiate effective measures against marine pollution.

“While awareness is deemed a vital factor, a number of activities have been planned by field commands and PN units to promote awareness and inculcate a sense of responsibility amongst all to save and preserve our environment. I expect all under command to initiate dedicated efforts to make these activities worthwhile and successful.

“On this day, let us reaffirm our commitment to make every effort for the betterment of our environment, especially the marine environment. Our conduct in professional and private lives shall be in line with the best practices and principles of protection, preservation and conservation of the environment. Let everyone be assured that PN will continue to achieve its mission with rightful regard for the environment,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2020