LAHORE: The Pakistan Civil Services Academy’s Culture and Heritage Society hosted a seminar on the critical relationship between cultural heritage and ecosystems in the context of accelerating climate change.
The event, held at the Civil Services Academy Walton Campus, brought together prominent figures from the academic, governmental, and cultural sectors to discuss the urgent need for preserving cultural heritage, particularly in the northern regions of Pakistan, which are facing severe environmental impacts.
The seminar featured a distinguished session by Dr. Zahra Hussain, a renowned architect and human geography expert. Dr. Hussain, who holds a doctorate from Durham University and has spearheaded international projects aimed at preserving cultural heritage, laid out the alarming effects of climate change on both the environment and cultural landmarks.
She pointed out that Pakistan’s northern regions are especially vulnerable to these impacts, citing the growing construction of hotels and guesthouses as one of the main contributors to environmental degradation.
Dr. Hussain called for immediate measures to halt further development in these areas and preserve the natural landscape, as unchecked expansion threatens both the environment and cultural heritage sites. Dr. Hussain also reflected on the broader implications of climate change, discussing the current “Anthropocene” era -- an epoch defined by significant human-induced environmental changes.
She explained that the industrialised nations of the Global North are largely responsible for the climate crisis through their emissions of harmful gases and pollutants, yet it is the countries in the Global South, like Pakistan, that are most severely affected by the consequences.
She stressed that Pakistan’s climate has been jeopardised by these global forces, requiring a fresh perspective on how the country approaches its environment and development.
A key aspect of Dr. Hussain’s address was her caution against adopting foreign models without consideration of local context. She urged that, before implementing solutions like solar parks or genetically modified crops, Pakistan must evaluate the long-term consequences and understand the potential of local solutions.
Dr. Hussain emphasised the importance of avoiding the “copy-paste” mentality and instead finding home-grown, sustainable approaches to environmental challenges.
Beyond these technical issues, Dr. Hussain addressed the cultural factors contributing to climate change, particularly the pervasive culture of materialism and extravagance. She argued that the capitalist system is a significant driver of environmental degradation, with its focus on wealth accumulation and consumerism.
This mindset, according to Dr. Hussain, has led to excessive consumption and unsustainable lifestyles, contributing to the global environmental crisis. To address this, she proposed a shift in societal values—one that promotes balance, sustainability, and a realistic approach to how much can be consumed without damaging the environment.
The seminar also featured insights from the Director General of the Civil Services Academy, Farhan Aziz Khawaja, who spoke about the importance of integrating cultural heritage and environmental awareness into the Academy’s training programs.
The seminar concluded with a thought-provoking photo exhibition, titled Echoes of the Silk Routes Between Mountains and Deserts, organised by the Lajvard Organization.
The exhibition provided attendees with a visual journey through the Hindu Kush Himalayas and Central Asian regions, highlighting the cultural richness and the deep relationships between mountain communities and the Silk Routes.