Earth Day observed at varsities in Sindh

HYDERABAD:

Several universities and institutions in Sindh marked Earth Day with the conviction to save the province and the planet from the vagaries of climate change

Earth Day was celebrated on the theme of Planet vs Plastics by the Department of Geography, University of Sindh (SU) in collaboration with Green Youth Movement (GYM) Club at Varsity campus.

The Geography Department and GYM organized an awareness walk and a plantation drive to celebrate the day.

SU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Siddique Kalhoro said: “Earth Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect our planet. By tackling the threat of plastic pollution through initiatives under the theme ‘Planet vs. Plastics’ we must take the crucial step. aimed at preserving the environment for future generations.”

The dean of the natural sciences faculty motivated students by repeating that a plant is capable of supplying sufficient oxygen to a number of people at the same time.

Dr. Arfana Mallah while planting a tree said that trees are friends of humanity and are the best resource to fight climate change.

The Chairman of the Department of Geography, Dr. Sujo Meghwar, highlighted the role of academia in promoting environmental stewardship.

Shaista Naz Khan said that Pakistan is one of the ten countries vulnerable to climate change. “We must stand for the noble cause of securing our country by taking steps from our home and our university.”

Saadullah Rahoojo said the increasing use of plastics is damaging the environment. It causes pollution and causes global warming which ultimately affects our daily lives.

Sindh is facing climate change challenges

Experts from the Sindh Agriculture University have highlighted that Pakistan, including Sindh, was facing significant challenges such as pollution, climate change and water salinity.

They made these comments on the occasion of World Earth Day, with the theme Planet vs Plastic, jointly organized on Monday by the Faculty of Plant Production and the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), in collaboration with UI Greenmatric University Ranking Initiative.

Dean of the Faculty of Crop Production, Dr. Inayatullah Rajper, said a large portion of plastic ends up in the land, waterways and oceans every year, causing negative impacts on the environment, water, land and human health and animal.

He stated that the implementation of existing laws to control plastic use is crucial.

SAU Registrar Ghulam Mohiuddin Qureshi said that Sindh was the most affected province by plastic pollution and diseases were also spreading due to plastic pollution and its use in food products.

ORIC Director Dr Tanveer Fatima Miano highlighted that climate change, reduction of forest cover, conversion of agricultural land into residential areas and coastal erosion were significant challenges. The event was attended by a large number of teachers, students and members of the society.

On the occasion of World Earth Day, an awareness walk and seminar was organized by the Sindh Environment Protection Authority Shaheed Benazirabad at the Government Boys Degree College on Monday.

On this occasion, Dr. Gul Amir Sambal, Regional Officer for SEPA and others, delivered a lecture to the children on the theme of Planet versus Plastic on Earth Day and said that it is the responsibility of all of us to protect the Earth and ensure its protection. of his environment. Sambal said everyone must play their role to prevent plastic and urged schoolchildren to use cloth, paper and dry palm leaf baskets instead of plastic bags to bring plastic use to zero.

Sindh Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Dost Muhammad Rahmon, Environment Minister Nabila Umar, and Director General Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Naeem Ahmed Mughal were present on the occasion.

Cleaning the Indus

SEPA and representatives of Jamshoro Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrated Earth Day on Monday by clearing solid waste from the banks of River Indus at Kotri barrage in Jamshoro district.

Abdul Jabbar Jokhio, Deputy Director of SEPA Region Hyderabad, Deputy Director Imran Ali Abbassi, Sajid Junejo of the Chamber, Abdul Salama and others were present on the occasion, besides the participation of women and children.

The participants removed solid waste, especially plastic items, from the river bank.

During his speech, Abbassi said: “Plastics are a threat to the Earth and the climate.” SEPA officials urged people to plant more trees.

Meanwhile, SEPA team visited Govt Higher Secondary School Sinjhoro on the occasion of World Earth Day. They urged students, teachers and staff to raise awareness about giving up plastic bags and rivering to the tokri – a basket made of wicker date palm leaves.

Speaking to the media, Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, SEPA District Head, said that the aim of Earth Day was to make the environment plastic-free, in which people from every sector must play their role. He said plastic does not dissolve easily, has a lifespan of 100 to 200 years and is harmful to human health, aquatic life and the environment, and therefore alternatives should be used. APP

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd2024.