Lahore: Chitralis walk for environmental peace

LAHORE, Feb 11: The Chitral Heritage and Environment Protection Society held an environmental peace walk at Racecourse Park here on Monday. Environment activists from Lahore and a large number of Chitrali students, both male and female,participated in the walk. They carried banners and placards highlighting the individual role of citizens to help protect the environment and keep it clean in the larger benefit of humanity and human life on earth. The participants emphasized the need to protect and conserve the mountains that serve as a source of water for half of the world’s population. Moreover, they stressed the need to spread increased awareness regarding the individual roles and responsibilities to protect the environment and the biodiversity, and to spread peace and harmony. Chitral and valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan host the great glaciers of Pakistan and therefore need special attention with regard to environmental education and protective measures. Mrs. Sheherzad Alam, a former lecturer of  the NCA and an environmental activist, gave special prominence to human relation with the soil and stressed the need to be sincere to this relation. According to Rahmat Ali Jafar Dost, Chairman CHEPS, being at the forefront of positive environmental change, it is the responsibility of CHEPS to work with the community and educate the society on the simple ways which they can adapt and contribute to changing the general behavior of our society towards the environment.  Particularly concerned with deforestation in Chitral, Mr. Rehmat Ali stressed upon the importance of conservation of forests in maintaining a stable environment and global climate. Ahmed Hasan, president IYFC drew attention towards self-awareness and elaborated the role students can play in highlighting environmental issues in Chitral.   Environmental activists from Lahore who came to support this event and its noble cause said, originating from the mountains, CHEPS arranged this great event for everyone to come together in a positive action. The expressed hope that this movement would go a long way and will enhance awareness among the masses to help create a responsible and environment sensitive society.—Ahmad Hasan  ]]>