A colourful event was held here at Murghzar Zoo on Wednesday to observe Earth Day 2015 under the theme ‘it’s our turn to lead’, and more than 300 students of various educational institutions of the federal capital conferred all the colours and spark to the event.
Comprising of a theme-based painting competition among 31 students of eight schools, an awareness walk and a cleaning drive, the event was jointly organised by Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Indus Consortium, a non-profit pro-environment organisation.
CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal led the awareness walk and cleanliness drive, in which students as well as citizens participated with great enthusiasm and pledged to protect the environment.
Speaking on the occasion, Afzal said that the Earth Day is more than just a celebration of our commitment to the planet; it sends a collective call for action to change climate change. “Coming off the warmest year on record, more than ever Earth Day arrives at a critical time to ignite climate action, he added.
Haseena Moeen, renowned writer, was the chief guest of prize distribution ceremony. She appreciated the paintings made by students and emphasised upon the need to protect the environment. “Your beautiful paintings reflect the beauty of your city, Islamabad. But we need to beautify the entire country, not only Islamabad,” the elderly writer underscored.
A three-member panel of experts evaluated student’s paintings. Eisha, a student of Islamabad Model College for Girls F-6/2, stood first while Maliha of CDA Model School and Harris of Angelique Public School got second and third prizes respectively.
As more food for thought for the students, prizes for position holders consisted of books like the Visual History of the World compiled by National Geographic and a dictionary of the environment.
CDA’s Member (Environment) Syed Mustafain Kazmi said that many people think climate change is a remote problem, but the fact is that it’s already impacting people, animals, and places all over the world. “Many of the earth’s habitats, animals, plants, insects, and even microorganisms that we know of as rare or endangered, may not be known at all by future generations. We have the capacity, and the responsibility. We must act before it is too late,” Kazmi warned.
Each year, Earth Day supporters come together to show their commitment to protecting wildlife, forests and communities impacted by climate change. The day’s event in federal capital is a further testament to the idea that when citizens coalesce around a united goal, authorities pay attention.
