Collective efforts urged to control Ozone depletion.

ISLAMABAD, October 05, 2009 (Balochistan Times): Speakers at a seminar Monday urged collective efforts to control Ozone depletion and underlined the vibrant role of youth and media. The function was organized by the Ozone Cell Ministry of Environment to reiterate the resolve to have CFC free society and protect human health from adverse impact of Ozone depletion. We need to change our habits and attitude - and we need to do it collectively. Change in our life style would help preserve ozone, said Secretary Environment Kamran Lashari in his inaugural address. He urged sustainable efforts with the involvement of all stakeholders as he described the deteriorating environmental situation as cause of major concern. He laid special emphasis on youth to come forward for changing the mindset and said, they have better capabilities to acquire and to move forward for a change. Promise me, you will be with us in fighting this challenge. Lashari said, in view of least knowledge of the subject, the role of media has become more important. Let media dedicate their efforts to raise awareness among masses on this issue. He said the government alone cannot cope with the challenges confronting the country due to environmental degradation. Let us all do out bit. Let us all join hands. He hoped that by January 2010, the world nations through their efforts, would be able to achieve the targets. We on our part remain committed to our international commitments. In his opening remarks, Joint Secretary International Cooperation and National project Director Ozone Cell, Abid Ali highlighted the importance of the Day and presented an overview of the government efforts. He said the Environment Ministry, Ozone Cell was making meaningful efforts to deal with CFC substances and control emissions damaging Ozone. Under the Montreal Protocol, Pakistan is committed to its international obligation and is phasing out use of such substances and emission these gases from the industry. Experts also apprised the large number of students present at the function about harmful impact of ozone depletion and diseases spread thereof. They called upon the students to become harbingers for a change and show adoptability to changing global scenario. At the end cash awards and certificates were distributed among outstanding students who had excelled in art and speech competitions. According to results, Maimoona Sajjad from IMCG I-10/4 secured first position in art competition followed by Hafsa Tariq and Reeja Khatoon, both from Sir Syed Public School Rawalpindi as second and third. Muhammad Wahab from Fazaia College E-9 stood fourth. In speech competition, Zainul Abrar from IMCG I-8/4 stood first, Rabiya Adnan from Sir Syed Public School remained second, Jamal Abdullah from Siddiq Public School was third and Zaeem Mahmood from Siddiq Public School and Iqra Arshad from Head start School for Girls F-6/1 shared the fourth position. The first slot winners were given Rs 2500 each and second and third Rs 2000 and Rs 1500 each and the winners of fourth position were given Rs 1000 cash prize and certificates. The organizers had also pasted the paintings of wing contestants at the seminar place while the winners of the speech contest, held earlier, also delivered speeches.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)