5 Jun 2015 | News

World Environment Day 2015: ‘Sustainable consumption and production’

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ICIMOD celebrated World Environment Day 2015 in collaboration with the Government of Gilgit Baltistan, the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Karakorum International University (KIU), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-GB), and Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) on 5 June 2015 at the KIU campus, Gilgit. The programme aimed to raise awareness about the various environmental issues among the students and local communities of Gilgit Baltistan and to assess the scope of PARC’s environment friendly technologies for livelihood improvement in the mountains. Government officials, NGOs, educational institutions, students, and local communities participated in the event. Dr Nadeem Amjad, Member of the Natural Resource Division, PARC, Dr Asif Khan, Vice Chancellor, KIU, Mr Sajjad Haider, Secretary, Forest, Wildlife and Environment Department, Government of Gilgit Baltistan, and Mr Shehzad Shigri, Director, Environmental Protection Agency, Government of Gilgit Baltistan extended a warm welcome to the participants. The event was attended by about 300 participants. The celebration activities included presentations and exhibitions by participating organizations and students.

Experts from PARC made presentations on the composting of bio waste for high value farming and the bioremediation of sewage waste water to enhance agricultural and aquaculture productivity. Discussions were held on the scope for replicating these technologies in Gilgit for sustainable development and to help the local communities in their economic empowerment. Dr Abdul Wahid Jasra shared a message from Dr David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD, and extended his gratitude to all the participants for their presence.

Waste bins were installed near the cafeteria in KIU for waste collection and to raise awareness among the students. The programme ended with prizes and certificates distributed among the winners of the poster and model contests. Dr Muhammad Shah Nawaz, Associate Professor, Department of Agriculture and Food Technology, KIU thanked all of the participants.