GILGIT: A rally was taken out from Aga Khan Shahi Polo Chowk in Gilgit to mark the World Environment Day on Sunday and to create awareness among people about protecting the environment of Gilgit-Baltistan from degradation.

The participants of the rally passed through Raja Bazaar and the Airport Road and converged at the Kalima Chowk.

People from different walks of life attended the rally with the participants holding placards and banners with slogans calling for environmental protection and cleanliness.

Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA) in collaboration with Central Gilgit Welfare Organisation and GB boy scouts organised the rally.

The speakers said the purpose of the walk was to spread awareness among people to protect the region’s environment from degradation.

They said burning of garbage was common in the area, which polluted the air, affected the water quality, agriculture land and caused various diseases. They said each citizen was custodian of the environment.

Events were also held in Hunza, Nagar, Skaradu and other districts, where speakers highlighted the importance of the day and role of people to protect environment.

Meanwhile, through a special message, Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan said impact of climate change was being felt all over the world, and Gilgit-Baltistan was no exception.

He said most of the world’s glaciers were in GB, which were melting fast due to rising temperatures and that they all needed to play their part in preventing the effects of climate change on the region’s environment.

He also stressed the need for forest protection and tree plantation.

Through a message, information minister Fatahullah Khan said they must pledge to protect their environment for a better tomorrow. “We must show greater sensitivity to this matter,” he added.

He said rapid melting of glaciers was due to environmental pollution and rising temperatures.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2022