Fine Arts Department University of Peshawar bagged all the three prizes of Rs. 3000, 2000, and 1000 in the professional category. Three winners in the school category were Fatima Khaliq from University Model School, Aniqa Sarfaraz from Forward Public School and Hasib Omar (from a still undisclosed school). They were awarded cash prizes of Rs. 1200, 800 and 600 and merit certificates respectively. Besides consolation awards, prizes were also distributed amongst the students from different schools who participated in the celebrations.
An emotionally charged plea for the endangered Earth by Ms. Sumera, a class 8 student from Al-Andulus School and an impassioned environmental poem by a 7 year old Owais Ali dressed in an environmental outfit won rapturous applause from the spell-bound audience in the jam packed hall at the auditorium of Area Study Center, Peshawar University.
In his opening remarks, Dr Murad Ali, Senior Executive Council member of SCN reminded the audience, “In spite of significant achievements, our planet suffers from several problems of the materialistic 20th century. This mad rush has destroyed the Mother Earth to create an illusion of a better lifestyle. Problems such as climatic change, loss of biodiversity, hazardous waste, depleting water resources and increasing desertification on the massive scale is a result of collective degradation of modern living”, he stressed. “In most cases, we must act as individuals for a better future. Every positive action, no matter how small is important. Its sets an example for a positive change and in creating a better environment in which we deserve to live” he observed.
SCN, he insisted, is striving along with other NGOs and lovers of Peshawar city to restore the glory of the past, focusing on its two historic landmarks, i.e the Gor Gutheree and the Sethian Bridge. He also urged the administration to convert the Central Jail into a Mughal Garden, on the pattern of the Shahi Bagh and Wazir Bagh, the dazzling ornaments of Peshawar of the bygone era. He also emphasized plans for the reforestation of barren hills around Peshawar and the ring road before it falls prey to ungainly urbanization.
Mr. Mohd Mujeeb Khan, Head IUCN, observed that the collective actions of all stakeholders, the government, policy makers, executives and the public have a responsibility towards a sustainable development and environment policy. “ IUCN is playing a useful role in bridging the gaps between the stakeholders for meaningful partnerships”, he said.
Mr. Abbas Khan, the Minister of Environment, in his keynote address said the local and international environmental issues are becoming a challenge for the survival of human life and the earth. “Ethics of global stewardship and strategies for Earth system management are urgently needed”, he stressed. The present “mismanagement system is not sustainable and therefore business as usual way of dealing has to be replaced with strategies of good management” he observed.
Informing the audience he said, the NWFP is a pioneer in the field of environment as full-fledged environment department with three zonal offices of EPA, and Sustainable Development Fund have been established. An ambitious Forest Vision 2025 for reforestation of the province with a billion saplings is underway. VETS (vehicular Emission control system) is trying to control emissions. Environmental impact assessment of all development projects has been ordered. EPA is campaigning against pressure horns and burning of rubber in brick kilns, besides laws for protection of rivers and streams. A road map for untreated effluents from Hayatabad Township and Hayatabad industrial Estate has been approved.
In congratulating Sarhad Conservation Network for its efforts for protection of environment, he reminded that the government alone couldn’t take the entire responsibility of protection and conservation. “Joining together is not a matter of choice, but a necessity,” he reminded. “We all breath the same air, drink the same water and live on the same planet. Mother Earth belongs to all of us and let us all join hands in protecting it”, he remarked. “SCN is playing its role but so many other NGOs, elder’s groups, students and communities from all walk of life have to understand that Earth is in our hands” he concluded.
The second Working Session was chaired by Naib Nazim Dr. Iqbal Khalil, Dr. Nasir uddin Azam, and slide/lectures on “Clean Peshawar” by Dr. Mohd Zahid and “Environmental problems of the Northern Areas” by Prof Mohd Said drew interest of the audience followed by an interactive debate amongst the participants highlighting the existing problems faced by the public and its remedies. Haji Adeel from ANP struck a dissenting note blaming different city administrations, collaborating with the “powerful vested interests” in disfiguring the landmarks and green belts by converting them into tasteless commercial plazas, stadiums and petrol pumps. The military-civil bureaucracy is facilitating the construction of eyesores and monstrosities everywhere,” he charged.
The concluding remarks by Dr Nasir uddin and Dr Iqbal Khalil stressed that keen interest of the participants showed that the public was conscious of existing problems and willing to work together in alleviating them. The Executive Members of Pakistan Environmental Protection Forum actively participated in the proceedings. The proceedings were exceptionally well conducted by a young, dynamic Shabana Khan from IMS, Hayatabad interspersing the proceedings with poetry and quotes on nature. Ms Khan has won All Pakistan’s Debating Society Competition and is proceeding to Seoul, Korea for another competition. She is certainly destined to earn laurels.
Ms Tayyaba Ahmed and Saleem Khattak from the Fine Arts Department decorated the foyer of the venue with colourful posters creatively. One visitor gushed emotionally, “This is a labour of love!” True, this “labour of love” was expressed by these young souls who tirelessly painted, drew and sketched to express their desire for a cleaner, greener and saner world. “Give Earth a Chance!” was written all over the place where students from various schools and particularly, the Fine Arts department had made possible a dream of a better tomorrow. Let us make their dream come true.
Adil Zareef
Secretary
SCN
June 05, 2002
Newsreport: "Vision 2025" - a Forest Conservation Plan and SCN (Apr 11, 2002)
Letter by SCN's Secretary Adil Zareef regarding the Historical Gor Gutheree (Mar 2002)
SCN Lends Support to CRCP Against Tree Felling at Ayub Park (Feb, 16th 2002)
SCN Arranges Poster Exhibition/Seminar on World Environment Day (Jun 05, 2002)