Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Speakers of a workshop termed Pakistan a country naturally blessed with diverse ecosystems that needed to be preserved and to be restored amid the
anthropogenic damage.

Addressing a workshop titled ‘Exploring Funding Opportunities for Effective Ecosystem Restoration in Pakistan, Director-General ministry of climate change informed us that various ministries had initiated many flagship projects for eco-system restoration.

The moot was organized by Generating Global Environmental Benefits (GEB) initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Dr. Saleem Janjua, Country Coordinator (GEB), UNDP-Pakistan presented the welcomed and introduced the GEB initiative of UNDP, said a news release issued here
on Tuesday.

He also explained that the purpose of organizing the workshop was to sensitize stakeholders regarding World Environment Day and reflect on the Ministry of Climate Change.

Dr. Dost Muhammad Baloch, Vice-Chancellor Lasbela University, said Balochistan faces severe climate-change-related issues. The need of the time was that academia works in collaboration with relevant departments and ministries to ensure ecosystem restoration.

Rukhsana Naveed, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan, remarked that the Government of Pakistan has started various initiatives for ecosystem restoration and was fully committed to playing a leadership role in addressing the issue of climate change and making a shift towards a “clean and green” Pakistan through a well-articulated climate change agenda consisting of several on-the-ground flagship initiatives.

However, government efforts require combined support from all strata of society. The need of the time remained to explore more financing windows for ecosystem restoration.

The remarks session was followed by the technical presentations that unfolded the topic in detail. The participants expressed interest in the Workshop to enlighten them regarding biodiversity loss and ecosystem restoration and the need for generating finance to conserve the ecosystem.

It was unanimously agreed that it was high time that people from all strata of the society fulfill their responsibilities and join hands with the Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan, for ecosystem restoration.

With combined efforts, Pakistan could better conserve its diverse ecosystems and lead the world throughout this journey.