ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Government of Sindh
Environment Week at Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Environmental Protection Agency and Environment and Alternative Energy Department, Government of Sindh is organizing an Environment Week at Hyderabad from 16th November, 2009 to 21st November, 2009.
Unveiling the detailed program of the Environment Week, Minister for Environment and Alternative Energy Sindh, Shaikh Muhammad Afzal said on Sunday (15th November) at Dialdas Club Hyderabad that the main objectives of observing this week is to enhance the awareness level of general public with the help of various tools of communication. He said that a series of activities are being carried out under the week aiming to make aware various target groups of the people including students, teachers, drivers, vehicle owners, housewives, industrialists, government officers, journalists and growers on issues related to environment.
The First Activity of the Environment Week was Display of Awareness Banners at various main spots of the city. The slogans, written on the banners, aim at public awareness on water pollution, vehicular emissions, land pollution, solid waste management, industrial pollution, agricultural pollution and rural pollution. Masses are advised to drink boiled water, dispose off solid waste at designated places, maintain the engine of their vehicles properly, don’t use adulterated fertilizers, use pesticides minimum etc
The Second Activity was Campaign Against Vehicular Emissions which was organized on 16th and 17th November, 2009. Under this activity technical teams of EPA Sindh monitored the smoke and noise emitting vehicles at various spots of the city including Giddu Chowk, near Isra University and mian Qasimabad & Latifabad. An awareness handbill was also distributed during the campaign to let people know the harms of smoke and legal implications on emitting smoke from vehicles above the permissible limits.
The Third Activity was Cleanliness Drive which was carried out with the collaboration of Hyderabad District Government. Under this activity garbage collection and cleanliness was done at some selected areas to motivate the people to play their part in keeping their area clean and free from pollution.
The Fourth Activity was Training Workshop on Environmental Event Management which was held on 18th November, 2009 at Dialdas Club at 9.00 a.m. In this workshop, the in charges of co-curricular activities from government and private schools were imparted trainings on environmental event management. Under this workshop, teachers were made aware on environmental issues of Sindh and they were also informed about the days of environmental significance which are celebrated at global level and how to celebrate the days of environmental significance at local level. In short, the participants after attending the workshop became able to celebrate the days of environmental significance and other environmental events at their respective schools without any help or guidance.
The Fifth Activity was Schools Children Awareness Program to raise awareness level of school children with respect to various environmental issues directly related to them. Under this activity, teams of EPA Sindh are visiting major schools of the city and are distributing the awareness material amongst students to arouse their interest in protecting and preserving their natural environment. The activity will be completed in two days on 19th and 20th November, 2009.
The Sixth Activity is Tree Plantation Campaign which will go on during the whole week. Under this activity, saplings are being planted at various selected sites of the city in collaboration with Forest Department.
The Seventh and the Final Activity is Seminar on Environmental Issues of Hyderabad which would be held on 21st November, 2009 at Indus Hotel at 9.00 a.m. Minister for Environment and Alternative Energy Sindh, Shaikh Muhammad Afzal will be the guest honour while Mr. Kanwar Naveed Jamil, District Nazim Hyderabad will be the chief guest in the seminar. Presentations on Environmental Issues of Hyderabad, Environmental Legislation and Role of Line Departments in Environmental Protection will be made to help update the participants on issues concerned. Nearly one hundred officers from government, semi-government and autonomous bodies shall attend the seminar apart from NGOs and journalists.