Event under the theme ’Planet vs. Plastics’ was organized with Community-Led Solutions
Umerkot, Sindh
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) celebrated Earth Day under the theme “Planet vs. Plastics,” under the Norwegian Church Aid funded Faith in Action for Sustainable Climate Resilience project.
The event was the celebration of the community’s real contribution to protecting our planet from the scourge of plastics. The agricultural experts, agronomist, soil scientist, environment lovers, youth, women and community shared their views on contribution of local community specially women in practical solutions to combat plastic pollution and promote environmental sustainability in Umerkot and Sanghar area.
Jan Muhammad Mari, PRO Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agricultural University sub-campus, Vikram Kumar, Assistant Director Sindh Environment Protection Agency- SEPA, Umerkot, Shewa Ram Suthar, Program Manager at SPO, Saleem Chang, an agriculture expert, climate lover, and FACE member, Ms. Dheli Bai, Ms. Almas Kanbhar, President of the Women Self-Help Group in Sanghar district, Suresh Piragani, Program Manager at Sami Foundation, and others spoke at the event.
SPO setup more than ten stall to aware visitors/ participants of event through different models.
SPO and the Agriculture University sub-campus setup a stall of energy-efficient smart city technologies. Through this stall, the team sensitized attendees about how a smart city utilizes and promotes environmentally friendly practices. The team also introduced a second stall demonstrating how homemade incubators can be used to store dairy products for modern livestock farms. Visitors were sensitized to this model through practical demonstrations. SPO and the Agriculture University team introduced a modern agriculture farm for agribusiness and tourism, aiming to bring benefits to the Umerkot area. They sensitized visitors to the potential of this initiative. SPO also introduced compost, soil classification, smart irrigation, automated irrigation system, energy efficient stoves, seed bank and cultural exhibition.
SPO honored role models from the Umerkot area who have made significant contributions to environmental protection and safeguarding the Earth, aligning with this year’s Earth Day theme.
The first award was presented to Dr. Teekam Das, who established an indigenous drought-resilient center in Umerkot at his own residence. He planted various species in Umerkot to promote environmental sustainability, combat climate change, and offer support to the community. He introduced an innovative system for organic waste management, converting it into biogas at a gobar plant. Dr. Teekam Das is livestock expert but his passion as agricultural and climate lover and he dedicated his life to service and is currently serving with the FACE group as a climate advocate, providing support and guidance to the community.
The second award was given to Lal Singh Sodho. He served Umerkot in a unique way by protecting the earth through planting thousands of trees of different varieties. He belongs to the Thakur community, which has always protected the earth and saved many species of animals and living trees. He encouraged youth to plant and properly care for trees, as he always keeps trees in his car. He controlled tree cutting and degradation in the Umerkot area. He also sensitized people through social media and raised many environmentally friendly campaigns.
The third award was given to Institute AZRC and Azizullah Shah, Director of AZRC Umerkot, for their services and commitment to arid agriculture and its beautiful growth and development. In the arid regions of Umerkot and Tharparkar, they introduced many varieties of drought-resistant crops, introduced 23 types of date palms in the desert, utilized grafting and drip systems for water supply to plants’ roots, and served Umerkot by making the arid region lush green.
The fourth award was given to Dr. Jan Muhammad Mari, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Sindh Agriculture University sub-campus Umerkot, for his services in protecting the earth and encouraging rural youth, especially from Umerkot, to play their own part in climate change.
Students presented three tableaus to ensure maximum participant comprehension of the value of the earth and the importance of avoiding plastic bags.
The event was attended by 150 participants from various segments of the community, including women, youth, students, stakeholders, NGOs, INGOs, UN representatives, CSOs, institutes, academia, and environmental enthusiasts from the Umerkot area. (PR)
Read: Umerkot City of Sindh becomes Epitome of Interfaith Harmony
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