Youth’s art work draws attention to environment on Fourth Pakistan Mountain Festival organised by Dev-com Pakistan, Lok Virsa
As many as 67 high quality oil-on-canvas paintings reflecting the youth’s sensitivities about environmental and biological diversity were put on display at the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum on Tuesday.
The exhibition entitled “Mountains and Water” was organised by Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) in collaboration with Lok Virsa as the last part of the 4th Pakistan Mountain Festival to commemorate International Mountains’ Day. The artworks were produced during a live painting competition arranged on December 11 that is celebrated every year with regards to the International Mountains’ Day.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Major General Muhammad Saeed Aleem was the chief guest. He inaugurated the exhibition and distributed prizes among the winners in three categories – postgraduate, undergraduate and amateur youth.
Speaking on the occasion, the NDMA chairman said, “Engaging youth to portray the environment and climate change issues through art will inspire and sensitise them to be more vigilant about nature and its conservation. Art is not merely a profession, it may also serve as a catalyst of change in the society.”
“Oil-on-canvas is not an easy medium but the participants have very successfully reflected their thoughts about sustainability of mountains and water and its nexus with life that is undoubtedly very crucial for the survival of life on the planet earth, said Saeed Aleem.
He also appreciated Devcom-Pakistan that has created avenues for youth engagement.
Pakistan Mountain Festival and Devcom-Pakistan Director Munir Ahmed said the exhibition is the closing event of the 4th Pakistan Mountain Festival that has been a great success with the overwhelming participation of youth and educational institutions.
“We need to engage youth creatively and innovatively in civic and environmental awareness and sensitisation. It is indeed satisfactory that the educational institutions were engaging their students in public advocacy and outreach events Devcom-Pakistan has arranged in the past three years. Youth is the only hope for all societies to change the environment-unfriendly practices. Youth activism can play a very important role in pushing forward the development policies and their implementation,” said the Devcom-Pakistan head.
