‘Judicious use of natural resources can overcome environmental problems’

Islamabad: Judicious use of natural resources including wildlife could do miracles to overcome environmental and climate change problems.

The remarks were made by Ambassador of Republic of South Korea Dr Song Hong Hwan while addressing an event organised at Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) in connection with World Wildlife Day celebrations.

PMNH in collaboration with Ministry of Science and Technology, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Ministry of Climate Change, US Embassy and Snow Leopard Foundation arranged different activities to celebrate the World Wildlife Day on Thursday (March 3) to raise awareness among masses about the benefits that conservation provides to people. A large number of students, teachers and scientists from different organisations attended the celebrations.

Ambassador of Republic of South Korea Dr Song Hong Hwan was the chief guest on this occasion. Inspector General Forests, Ministry of Climate Change Syed Mehmood Nasir, Christopher from US Embassy, PMNH Director General Dr MK Leghari and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.

Ambassador Song Hong Hwan said it is my dream to see Indus River miracle by protection of this vital source of sustained life. He said a slight change creates large effect on the whole ecosystem as there is interactive effect of different living things. “If the ecosystem is balanced and sustained, our life is sustained,” he added.

Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf while addressing the World Wildlife Day celebration said that we have to protect our wildlife to overcome the issues of food security, water scarcity and climate change as our future hinges on our these natural resources for a sustained life.

He quoted the example of South Korea which is making good use of natural resources. He said South Korea is very neat and tidy country as flowers and vegetables can be seen grown even along roads but in Pakistan the fertile land is lying barren.

Earlier, Country Director, Snow Leopard Foundation Dr. M. Ali Nawaz talking about importance of the day, said World Wildlife Day is celebrated to sensitize world community on danger to wildlife and efforts for its conservation. He highlighted some of the dangers to wildlife such as deforestation, poaching and hunting etc. He said it is duty of all of us to make collaborative efforts against illegal trade of wildlife and we should totally reject it.

Students presented a tableau on wildlife hunting. A documentary was also screened to highlight wildlife around us. An awareness session with Future Defenders of Wildlife, open discussion with wildlife experts and interactive question answer session as well as ‘Commitment Wall’ signing with messages and photographs to support the wildlife conservation also featured the Wildlife Day celebrations at PMNH.