ISLAMABAD: Director General (DG) of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), Farzana Altaf Shah, urged the youth on Monday to take the lead and responsibility in overcoming plastic pollution in the country, which was polluting its rivers, oceans, and natural ecosystems and endangering human and wildlife health through disastrous consequences.
She was speaking at a public rally organized by the Pak-EPA in coordination with all of its partners and the media on the occasion of ‘World Environment Day’ with the theme of plastic pollution solutions. She also paid special tribute to environmental journalist Shabbir Hussain, as well as climate activists Helga Ahmed and Attiya Ayub Qutab, who died in the line of duty while fighting for environmental and natural protection and public benefit.
According to Farzana Altaf Shah, the students, partners, and media have come up with a strong commitment before the parliament to highlight solutions to plastic pollution.
She added that it is time for the nation to say no to plastic pollution at all levels and transition to eco-friendly and biodegradable solutions. She said that we would have to end plastic pollution because single-use polythene bags and bottles have polluted our drains and freshwater reserves. She added that children should use reusable water bottles to reduce their use of plastic.
Impacts of Single-use Plastics
According to the EPA administrator, single-use plastics have severe impacts on the human body due to their carcinogenic nature and have the potential to damage every newborn if business as usual continues.
Shah also paid tribute to journalist Shabbir Hussain, who died of a heart attack while giving a live beeper on Shisper Glacier melting because of rising temperatures. She said the efforts of such a devoted environmental journalist who valued his job as a sacred responsibility above his life must never be forgotten and will remember on every ‘World Environment Day’.
She added that EPA and its entire team pay rich tribute to Martyr Shabbir Hussain, Attiya Ayub Qutab, and Helga Ahmed, who remained committed to the cause of environmental conservation and preservation and supported EPA on every public march demonstrated to commemorate ‘World Environment Day’ every year.
Pakistan Boys Scouts Association, students from public universities, colleges, schools, Pakistan Girls Guide Association, and the media all attended the rally.
Young climate activists, representatives of Rescue 1122, the Pakistan Boys Scouts Association, and civil society also addressed the audience, urging them to take individual responsibility for reducing plastic pollution in order to achieve a plastic-free country.
