Students plant 400 mangrove saplings at Sandspit

Karachi
Around 350 students from six public schools learnt the significance of mangroves and environmental pollution during a day-long exposure trip to WWF-Pakistan’s wetland centre at Sandspit on Wednesday.
The trip was organised in collaboration with the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited and was aimed at educating the 350 school children about ecology, awareness about their environment and inculcating in them a sense of civic responsibility.
The students were also briefed about significance of mangroves for marine life and their ecological importance, besides being informed about the threats being faced by them, such as pollution, habitat loss and mismanagement of natural resources.
The students planted 400 mangroves at the wetland centre and also helped clean the beach where hundreds of female turtles come to lay eggs and grow their hatchlings.
The area visited by the students is considered to an important habitat for green turtle species. The school children collected 60 bags of garbage from a stretch of two kilometres of the Sandspit beach.
Shahbaz Islam, general manager of corporate communications at the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited said the excursion provided an outlet for the students to channel their energy.
He said children of Pakistan were the future custodians of the precious natural resources of the country and they should be provided with opportunities to help them learn about nature and its relationship with human beings and the society.
“Students can have a positive impact on environment through changing their lifestyles,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Asad Shahbaz, the assistant manager of corporate relations at the WWF-Pakistan, stressed the need to save endangered mangroves.
He was of the view that interactive sessions on key environmental challenges had proved to be very useful for students. “They learn about the significance of forests, endangered species, pollution, sanitation, sustainable use of natural resources and other environmental issues,” he said.
Mansoor Mirza, the director of education at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation said engaging students in such activities inspired and motivated them to contribute to conservation of the environment.
He said this event had provided a significant opportunity to students for knowing about environmental challenges confronting the country.
He remarked that wrappers and plastic bags thrown by visitors at the beach harmed turtle hatchlings and increased environmental degradation. “It is the need of the hour to promote environmental education and initiate awareness campaigns in government schools,” he said.