On Earth Day 2024, passionate volunteers from Friends of Margallah Hills National Park (FoMHNP), an initiative of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), spearheaded a cleanup and awareness event at Kinara Park, Rawal Lake, Islamabad.
The two-hour joint cleanup effort bagged a staggering 50 bags of plastic waste, showcasing the united determination of various organizations in their quest for a plastic-free planet.
Partnering with the US Embassy and SMEC, supported by IWMB staff, and with participation from students of NUST, the event on April 22, 2024, aimed to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution under the theme ‘Planet vs Plastics.’
The event underscored the urgent need for collective action to repair ecosystems, combat climate change, and preserve biodiversity. With plastic pollution posing a significant threat to the environment, volunteers have been actively engaging tourists, visitors, and hikers to reduce plastic usage in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).
Through initiatives like the “Zero Plastic Policy” for trails, efforts have been made to control plastic waste, with volunteers educating visitors about its harmful effects on forest ecosystems.
At Kinara Park, Andrew Schofer, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy Islamabad, emphasized the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on the environment and daily life. “Your environment is your home and it is necessary to give it back once enjoying all its resources. It’s important to ensure and pass on awareness to the masses on plastic pollution,” Schofer said.
The issue of plastics is very complex and resolving the crisis requires collaborative efforts from government, civil society, volunteers, academia and activists, he added.
Andrew Schofer thanked the IWMB and the Friends of Margalla Hills National Park for joining the cleanup activity, which he termed an important opportunity for the Embassy staff to stir motivation for beating plastic pollution.
Tassadaq Malik, Founding President of Friends of MHNP, highlighted the positive changes brought about by volunteer efforts in shifting mindsets towards environmental stewardship. The cleanup activity resulted in the collection of 50 bags of plastic waste, showcasing the commitment of various organizations towards a plastic-free planet.
Malik expressed gratitude to the US Embassy for their support and stressed the importance of reducing single-use plastics to mitigate environmental and health risks. Despite challenges, ongoing campaigns led by IWMB and Friends of MHNP have yielded promising results in controlling plastic pollution in parks and hiking trails.
As volunteers, embassy employees, and civil society representatives actively participated in the cleanup drive, the event served as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect the environment and preserve natural habitats for future generations.