ISLAMABAD – The two-day event, in connection with the 8th Pakistan Mountain Festival, started on Saturday with a colorful ceremony here at Lok Virsa, Shakarparian.
The event, organised by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), featured cultural performances, screening of international adventure documentaries, an exhibition of paintings by 20 art teachers and display of handicrafts and horticultural products, which made the ‘mountain cultural showcase’ a big success.
The chief guest, Deputy Mayor Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Zeeshan Ali Shah Naqvi speaking on the occasion, said that mountains were a wonderful part of the planet. The mountains were full of resources which needed to be protected and conserved, he said and added that the people living in the mountains should also have cared regarding their education, health, and livelihood, which depends on the integrated sustainable strategies.
Naqvi suggested the launch of hill safari on the model of desert safari to promote tourism and importance of the mountains for adventure sports. He also endorsed and appreciated the idea of Pakistan Mountain Youth Parliament to engage youth to help them to work for the betterment of their homeland.
Dr Nadeem Omar said with the urbanization of the mountain destinations, not only the biodiversity was threatened but the indigenous cultures too. He said every part of the mountain had a peculiar culture and a range of handicrafts and agri-products.
He stressed upon the need to develop cultural marketing plans by engaging young and educated people in microenterprises.
The Devcom-Pakistan Director and founder Pakistan Mountain Festival Munir Ahmed urged the youth to synergise to raise collective voices for the fast degrading their homeland.
He said not only climate change was impacting the mountains but the ignorance of the key stakeholders also contributed to the loss of the cultures, ecosystems, habitats and natural resources.
He urged the government to control the deforestation from the highlands to reduce the climate impact on the glaciers melt and loss of water resources.
Ali Ahmed Jan, an environmentalist said the environmental impact assessment was missing from the development that had increased the stress on nature and natural environment. He said, “we have the law but lack of implementation.” He urged the youth to realise the potential of their skills to empower the marginalised communities of their areas.
Several crafts-persons from the mountain regions put on display their products. The youth folk music band from Chitral also performed on the occasion to make the music lovers share their voices with the singers, sway and dance on the rhythm of the traditional music.
The festival will continue till the December 11, the International Mountain Day (IMD).
