TAXILA: The district administration of Attock arranged a number of events in connection with the International Earth Day and to mark the launch of a ‘Say no to plastic’ campaign across the district on Monday.

Various eco-friendly initiatives such as a tree plantation campaign, seminar and awareness walk were held. The plantation campaign was launched by the forest department in collaboration with education department and the district administration in which students from various educational institutions participated with the slogan of one child one tree.

Separately, a walk was taken out by the district administration in collaboration with the environment department to create awareness. A seminar was organised at University of Education Attock campus to create awareness among youth about the effects of plastic on the environment, especially on soil. Over 500 students from various departments and faculty members participated.

Addressing the seminar as chief guest, Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had approved a ban on the use of plastic bags from June 5. He called for the need to involve the youth to support the ‘say no to plastic bags’ campaign, saying plastic bags, emission and pollution were a matter of concern for all members of society.

“We should learn from urban flooding due to choking of drainage system because of the plastic bags,” he added.

Shazia Maryum, assistant director of Environment Protection Agency (EPA), asked the participants to use cloth and paper bags instead.

She said lectures and workshops will be conducted in educational institutions to raise awareness about the health hazards posed by plastic bags. He asked all shopkeepers to support the Punjab government’s campaign against the use of plastic bags.

The deputy commissioner added: “We have divided the district into six zones. We will identify places and gather evidence on the sale and use of plastic bags.”

He said plastic which had become a necessary item was not only affecting the environment but also endangering aquatic life. He said alternative products for plastic like cloth bags and other degradable items would be introduced in the city before penalising the citizens.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2024