Rescue 112 will hold an awareness walk against ecological disasters on FridayEarth Day 2011 will be observed all over the world on Friday. A number of events will be held in the city today to make efforts to protect the environment.
The Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) will observe the Rescue Awareness Walk in all districts of Punjab, upon directions of Director General (DG) Dr Rizwan Naseer, today. In this regard special activities including seminars and extra curricular competitions are being held all over Punjab.
The purpose of the Rescue Earth Awareness Walk is to sensitize the community on the increasing number of emergencies and disasters such as floods, tsunami, landslides and acidic rain resulting from environmental changes, including global warming, ozone depletion, pollution and misuse of energy, so that such disasters be prevented and a safer community be developed.
In Lahore, Rescue 1122 will start the Rescue Earth Awareness Walk at 10am from Ferozepur Road Lahore.
Punjab Group of Colleges, World Wildlife Federation, Pakistan Council of Scientist and Industrial Research, Punjab University, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Forman Christian College, Girls’ Guide Association, civil society members, rescue volunteer and various government and non-government organizations will participate in the walk.
The DG appealed to the community to donate at least one plant for the Rescue Earth during the Earth Week and avoid use of unnecessary resources. He urged to put efforts to minimize pollution for developing a beautiful and safer Pakistan.
A large number of people have been filling pledge performas since 18th April in this regard as well as donating plants.
Carmela visits Changa Manga: United States Consul General Carmela Conroy visited WWF Pakistan’s Vulture Conservation Centre at Changa Manga to celebrate Earth Day on Thursday.
Carmela was accompanied by WWF Pakistan Biodiversity Director Uzma Khan. Conservation Centre In-charge Faisal Fareed briefed Carmela about the efforts WWF Pakistan was making to conserve the vulture population.
Carmela visited the aviary where about twenty rescued birds have been housed. In the spirit of the Earth Day 2011 theme, ‘A Billion Acts of Green’, and as a show of support for this specie, Carmela also fed the birds. Later, she planted trees in the forest to not only celebrate the Earth Day but also to celebrate the fact that the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests.
She said, “I am thrilled to see this wonderful project, and to learn about the efforts being made to protect Pakistan’s wildlife. We all share this earth, and I am proud to represent my country in this beautiful land. I’m also happy to say that the US Consulate General’s public affairs team in Lahore is pledging to support WWF in Pakistan.”
This project is part of a regional conservation initiative to conserve the rapidly declining Gyps vulture species. Vultures are a ‘critically endangered’ carrion species that work as ‘nature’s cleaners’ by eating carcasses and performing an important function in the ecological chain. The project is being supported by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and the Hawk Conservancy Trust.
Uzma Khan said, “We are pleased that the US Consul General visited the vulture conservation project site in Changa Manga forest. Her show of support will help in promoting a positive attitude towards the ecologically important and critically endangered species. Additionally, the pledge of support for Pakistan’s wildlife is a heartening step.”
Earth Day celebrations at Aitchison today: Waste Busters, a recycling company, and Global Pakistan, a solar company, is organising an event in connection with the Earth Day at Aitchison College on Friday (today). Various schools and prominent companies will be setting up their stalls, exhibiting environmental projects and products.
The event will have various activities for all age groups. The highlight of the event is a musical concert, which will run on solar energy, featuring local bands and singers. The event will also include a recycling fashion show by STEP.
