By Sonia Akmal, Hooria Butt and Ehsan
LAHORE: (Wednesday, December 14) Punjab University College of Earth and Environmental Sciences in collaboration with Oxfam Pakistan and Indus Consortium organized a colorful ceremony at the college’s lawns.
Punjabi culture was presented in a very beautiful way. Faculty and students were in pure Punjabi getup, colorful, embroidered dresses and traditional jewelry – giving a beautiful cultural look. On the other hand stalls were decorated with handicrafts, shoes and traditional foods. In cold and cloudy weather soup and barbecue stall was attracting people.
While there was a complete arrangement of 2 meals of the day and tea was icing on the cake.
The event was actually organized to aware people about the dangerous climate change due to human activities, its harmful effect on our health, crops, food, and animals, and also to draw the government attention towards this severe situation of the atmospheric pollution. The speakers useful strategies to control this issue.
Students performed skits and inculcated their ideas in an impressive way.
Minister for Environment Zakiya Shahnawaz, Minister for Food Mr Bilal Yasin, PU Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Taqi Zahid Butt, Oxfam’s Country Director Muhammad Qazilbash, Chairman Indus Consortium Jamshaid Fareed, CEES Principal Prof Dr Sajid Rasheed, MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal, senior journalist Mian Habib, female farmers from Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Multan were present in the ceremony.
In the beginning Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz and Bilal Yaseen planted trees in grow festival
Addressing the ceremony, Begum Zakiya Shahnawaz said that a complete and sound strategy would be finalized for protecting our environment. She said government cannot work alone in this regards, public should step forward and support fully. Adding to it she said that government was supporting to female farmers and was trying to resolve their all issues.
On this occasion a a 5 points agenda was also presented to Zakiya Shahnawaz by the women farmers.
She was very happy and praised the efforts of CEES and everyone who was involved in this event. She said that the start of her day was very pleasant that she came here and attended such purposeful ceremony she added, today her whole day will go pleasant.
Later, while talking to press, she stated the government was planting a number of trees in return of every tree that has been removed for road construction.
Mr Bilal Yasin emphasized the need to fight food problems and discussed the projects to cope with food problems.
PU Acting VC Prof Dr Taqi Zahid Butt said that establishment of housing societies and extension of cities contributed greatly in pollution.
Oxfam’s Country Director Muhammad Qazilbash said that women were not getting resources to feed their families and communities and adapt them according to environmental change. He told the government that soon the policy should be approved for fighting climate change.
Principal CEES Prof. Dr. Sajjad Rashid said hsi college was playing its role in researching and trying to create awareness amongst the stakeholders. He emphasized upon media to play its role.
On this occasion, prizes were also distributed among winners of different competitions to highlight different aspects of the environment.
In the end Begum Zakia Shahnawaz along with Principal Dr Sajid Rasheed further distributed shields among guests of hounour (Minister for Food Mr Bilal Yasin, PU Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Taqi Zahid Butt, Oxfam’s Country Director Muhammad Qazilbash, Chairman Indus Consortium Jamshaid Fareed, CEES Principal Prof Dr Sajid Rashid, MPA Chaudhry Muhammad Iqbal, senior journalist Mian Habib.