CHITRAL: The importance of tackling the issue of plastic pollution was highlighted to save the planet from its devastations at different functions held in Lower and Upper Chitral in connection with World Environment Day.

The functions were held in Laspur valley and Booni town of Upper Chitral as well as at different places in Lower Chitral under the aegis of Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF) and wildlife department. Civil society members and students attended the events in a large number.

In three different schools of Upper Chitral, students highlighted the theme of the day through declamations, sketch drawings and paintings as well as quiz competitions while the representatives of different civil society organisations expressed their feelings and observations about the situation.

In Upper Chitral’s headquarters Booni, a seminar was held followed by awareness walk in which participants and speakers said that plastic waste posed threat to men and environment.

In Lower Chitral, Helping Hand Pakistan joined SLF and wildlife department to hold wide-ranging events followed by demonstration of collecting and safe disposing of plastic waste.

Through their performances of different types,

students made it clear that plastic pollution was taking the form of a monstrous issue on earth that was spreading to oceans and footholds of mountains.

Speakers including regional programme manager of SLF Jamighullah Sherazi, manager of Helping Hand Mohammad Bilal and a number of academicians and environmentalists said on the occasion that every household contributed to the issue of plastic pollution by reckless use of plastic on daily basis.

They said that about 11 million tonnes of plastic waste swept into the aquatic life every year while the volume of pollutant seeping into food and body of humans in different ways and means was quite frightening and the planet was inching towards a disaster caused by it.

They urged participants to desist from using non-biodegradable plastics in their daily life and use environment-friendly means to bring items to home.

The participants carried out a drive of collecting plastic wastes from the streets and then disposing it off hygienically soon after the end of the session while prizes were given away to the students for showing off their talents on this occasion.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2025