Report:
Aftab Alam
aftabalam71@hotmail.com
Press for Peace(FPP) celebrated World Environment Day in different Cities of Azad Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday, 05 June, 2007. The seminars, walks, rallies and other programs were organised in collaboration with other NGOs to highlight the importance of natural resources and pollution free society. The day was observed in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Bagh, Rawalakot, Neelum and other major cities and towns with renewed pledge and zeal to protect natural resources. The participants urged government and civil society to accelerate and coordinate efforts to address the environmental problems such as pollution, soil erosion, disposal of solid waste in urban areas and deforestation etc.
The day was set by United Nations General Assembly in 1972 as an International Day in an effort to stimulate public awareness among communities towards safe and hazard free environment.
Neelum
The central event was held in Neeelum valley under the aegis of Islamic Relief and Press for Peace (PFP) in collaboration with different local NGOs and community based organizations. A walk was organised in Chahlahna, few yards away from the Line of Control (the line dividing Pakistani and Indian Kashmir) to high light the importance of safer environment in both parts of the divided state. Acting President Azad Jammu & Kashmir Shah Ghulam Qadir led the walk while Mr. Zulqernain Baloch Coordinator Islamic Relief and Environment coordinator Mumtaz Mughal were also present on the occasion.
The participants of the walk displayed colourful banners, posters and placards showing different thought provoking and inspiring slogans about natural resources. Neelum valley is famous for its scenic beauty and abundant natural resources.
Acting president Shah Ghulam Qadir addressed a large gathering and said that the unsafe and unhygienic environment is the biggest problem confronted by the present world. The rapid industrialization in developed countries has drastically damaged the global environment. He appreciated the services of NGOs in quake-hit areas. He announced to provide solar energy heaters to all mosques of the valley to promote alternative sources of energy as a part of government efforts to protect the .green forests. Zaulaernain Baloch, Mumtaz Mughal of Islamic Relief, Amiruddin Mughal, coordinator Press for Peace, Tariq Chughtai, President Neelum Press club, Hanif Awan, Khawaja Shafiqu, Ishtiaq Bukhari and other representatives of local NGOs and CBOs also addressed the gathering.
Muzaffarabad
Press for Peace held a colourful walk in Muzaffarabad. The walk was led by its central office bearers Raja Wasim Khan, Farid ul Hadim, Asif Mir, Aurengzeb and Tanvir Tanoli. The representatives of the different political, social and professional groups also participated in the event. The walk started from PFP’s headquarters and concluded in front of the Press club.The speakers highlighted the importance of clean and safe environment. They observed that during the massive earthquake in 2005, the natural recourses of the state have badly damaged. The Central Deputy Coordinator PFP Raja Wasim Khan, Asif Raza Mir, Wahid iqbal Butt, Shoukat Javed Mir and Raja Saqib Mujeed were among the speakers.
They demanded that the government should provide subsidised LPG cylinders in all quake affected areas of Azad Kashmir. It was noted with grave concern that majority of the people in these poverty ridden areas depend heavily upon firewood as a major source of fuel. They cater their daily needs by mercilessly chopping trees in the nearby forests, thus causing irrevocable damage to the environment. Raja Wasim declared that PFP will launch a national campaign to create awareness among the public in all quake hit areas. He emphasised that local communities will be involved in order to achieve better results. The campaign will be launched with the cooperation of other NGOs, government departments and world conservatory bodies.
Bagh
In Bagh, another quake-hit city of Kashmir, Press for Peace organised a walk. A large number of school children and representatives of local NGOs and community groups participated and welcomed the move. Yousaf Kashmiri, District coordinator PFP, Tahir Shah, Imran Gilani and other senior members led the walk.
Rawalakot
To highlight the impacts of human activities on natural environment a seminar was organised in Rawalakot in collaboration with other NGOs. Sardar Abid Siddique, Rashid Nazir and other speakers urged government to initiate revolutionary measures to prevent damage to the forests. They observed that since reconstruction phase in Muzaffarabad and Poonch Division is at full swing the increasing trend of cutting green trees to needs is alarming. The government and civil society should feel the responsibility towards environmental protection.
Mirpur
Press for Peace held an event to mark the WED in Mirpur. The gathering was attended by a large number of community workers including social, political and media persons. Mr. Rafiq Mughal, PFP Divisional coordinator worked diligently to make the event successful.
This report was compiled from the dispatches received from members of the PFP: Hafiz Nasir (Neelum), Imran Gillani(Bagh),Rashid Nazir(Rawalakot)
Miss Night (Muzaffarabad) and Miss Shazia (Mirpur)
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