WWF hosts annual nature carnival

WWF hosts annual nature carnival at Ali Institute of Education

* Freshwater turtles, hazards of polythene bags, dengue virus, national parks, climate conservation themes of carnival

Staff Report

LAHORE: The World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature held its annual nature carnival at the Ali Institute of Education on Sunday to create awareness among the children regarding the conservation of environment and nature.

A large number of schoolchildren and parents attended the carnival. Various corporate organisations funded the event.

Carnival: Five themes were selected for the carnival: freshwater turtles, hazards of polythene bags, dengue virus, national parks, and climate conservation. About 30 educational institutions of the city participated in the competition of making three-dimensional models on one of the themes. Various stalls were set up at the carnival that offered environmental games and face-painting for children. Live musical performances kept the elders entertained. Posters, bookmarks and booklets concerning environmental issues were also distributed among the participants. Member of National Assembly Tehmina Daultana was the chief guest on the occasion.

Students used various slogans to highlight the importance of the themes assigned to them. A student who had prepared a project on hazards of polythene bags said such bags were life-threatening products, as they could kill turtles and dolphins in oceans if they swallowed these bags. Students working on projects on dengue virus had prepared charts that indicated the symptoms and possible precautions of dengue virus. Students working on projects of national parks prepared models of parks and hills. They projected the idea that parks must be kept clean to maintain their scenic beauty.

WWF officials said the fund had invited 70 schools to participate in the competition, out of which only 30 had shown up. He said the event was aimed at educating the youth about important aspects of daily life through entertaining and fun ways. He said the message of environmental issues had been conveyed to the families of these children through their projects. WWF Programme Director Hammad Naki said the carnival had successfully informed the youth and their families of ongoing environmental issues. He said the schools enthusiastically participated in the event.