GILGIT, June 8: Students of various schools in the Northern Areas observed the world environmental day in which the importance of clean environment was stressed. They expressed concern over environmental degradation.

A similar event was held in Jaglote, 65km south of Gilgit. Students belonged to three local schools participated in the event. They said in their speeches that the environment faced a serious threat and different kinds of pollutants were undermining the natural system in the Northern Areas.

A non- government organisation Strive Towards Education and Progress (STEP) arranged the events for children where the chairman of STEP Sabir Hussain said that Jaglote is a small town in Gilgit but within short time more than seven flour mills were established there without ensuring the environmental and safety aspects.

“The pollution emanating from these mills has been posing threat to health of local residents but there is no check to monitor the environmental standards in the mills”, Sabir Hussain said.

He said that in his town more than 20 service stations had been set up and seepages from these stations and power houses drained into drinking water channels that was really worrisome,” he said.

He said that the illegal fishing of rare trout species, ibex hunting and illegal trade of herbal medicines in their valley were on the rise, he observed.

Another event was held in Sikanderbabd High School, Nagar, 55km north of Gilgit in which experts held a debate over water pollution, land pollution, air pollution and its hazards on human life.

The participants expressed their concern over increasing water pollution due to drainage of affluents into water streams and channels and said that the detergents and chemical-borne water had been causing diseases in the Northern Areas.

They said the environmental changes and pollution were causing damage to the land.