Islamabad - A colourful and sparkling event was held here at Marghazar Zoo on Wednesday to observe the Earth Day 2015 under the theme ‘It’s our turn to lead.’ A large number of students of various educational institutions of the federal capital added 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 cleanliness drive, the event was organized by Capital Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with Indus Consortium, a non-profit pro-environment organization.
Chairman CDA 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, Maroof Afzal said that the Earth Day is more than just a celebration of 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 and play writer, was the chief guest of prize distribution ceremony. She appreciated the paintings made by students and emphasized 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.
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.
A three-member panel of experts evaluated student’s paintings. Eisha, a student of Islamabad Model College for Girls F-6/2, stood the first while Maliha of CDA Model School and Harris of Angelique Public School got 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively. Special Prize was given to Azim Nawaz, a special student of Angelique Public School.
As more food for thought for the students, prizes for position holders were consisted on books like Visual History of the World compiled by National Geographic and dictionary of environment.
Islamabad Model College for Girls, F-6/2,IMCB, I-10, IMCB, G-6, Modern Language School, I-10, AIMS Education School, F-8/4, City School, H-8/1, Angleque Public School, G-6/4, New Era Science Academy, G-9/4, Liberal Art High School, F-8/2, and The Educator School, G-8/1 took part in different events arranged on the occasion.
Fiza Qureshi, a senior manager of Indus Consortium, while moderating the proceedings of the event apprised the audience that each year, more than one billion people participate in Earth Day-related activities, making it the largest civic observance in the world. “On and around April 22, communities across approximately 192 countries voice their concerns for the planet and take action to protect it,” Fiza informed.
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.