Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The increasing insensitivity of decision-makers towards environmental loss is itself disastrous for the sustainability efforts being taken up in Pakistan by the development partners.

This was stated by Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed while speaking at a prize-distribution ceremony.

The event was organised by the Islamabad Devcom centennial Leo Club (IDCLC) and Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) for the winners of the art competition ‘Save the Nature for Future Generations’.

“The non-governmental sector can only support the desired environment friendly interventions or raise its voice for what is needed, but it cannot replace the government’s mandate. So, we need bold voices from the civil society, youth groups and media to shout out against the climatic and environmental vulnerabilities,” he said.

He criticised the government for not taking severe action against the illegal logging. “The loss of the green cover has caused irreparable loss to biodiversity and water reservoirs, resulting extreme water shortage in the summer season,” he said.

PNCA Director General Syed Jamal Shah said that art represented aesthetics and the feelings about what surrounded us. “Inculcating environmental sensitivity in children and youth will culminate in a better environment around us,” he said.

He said that recently, the PNCA had held a summer camp for children where art activities were the main attraction. “The main elements of environment were the main theme of most of the art activities and a great learning experience for the children,” he said.

IDCLC president Haares Munir said that the irrational development and modernisation had caused irreparable loss to the environment. “We have witnessed sewage flowing down the natural stream and indiscriminate tree-cutting all along the green belts in Islamabad, and the heavy loss of biological diversity and wildlife in and around the Margalla Hills National Park,” he said.

Munir said these issues led us to unite together to contribute our bit of services in raising awareness among the children and youth through various interventions with the support of seniors and environmentalists.

Riffat Ara Baig said thematic art education could create environmental sensitivity among students, and the exhibition of environmental art would further enhance the general awareness about the issues confronting our society.

Published in Daily Times, July 25^th 2017.