ISLAMABAD: The 21st National Children’s Mountain Conservation Meet organized by Adventure Foundation Pakistan from 11th to 20th July concluded in Islamabad.
One hundred children and staff members participated in this year’s camp was held in the beautiful Siran Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A Children Mountain Forum was held at Margala Hotel Islamabad in which young participants of the moot made presentations on the theme “Climate Change and its Impact on the Mountain Environment”.
Marilina Armellin, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Pakistan, was chief guest of this event.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Armellin appreciated the efforts of Adventure Foundation Pakistan to create awareness among the young people about the conservation of natural environment. She said, “In today’s world of digital technologies and over consumption, it has become more important that we should make an effort to keep young people in touch with Mother Earth”.
She emphasized the long-standing cooperation between Italy and Pakistan in the fields of mountain and glacier conservation and research, which has been ongoing for over a century. She shared that the very first Italian expedition arrived in the region in 1909, with the objective of mapping a land route to K2.
Ali Hasan Habib, President of Adventure Foundation, welcomed all the participants and guests and congratulated the young participants and staff on successful completion of this year project.
Aftab Rana, National Coordinator NCMC Meet Project, said this flagship programme of AFP was launched on the occasion of International Year of Mountains-2002 with a view to create awareness among young people about the mountain ecosystems and involve them in meaningful activities using mountains’ environment as an open classroom. Under this programme each year around one hundred children are selected from all parts of Pakistan to attend a 10 day environment education camp in one of the mountain areas of Pakistan.
He further informed that this educational programme involves young children in an action-oriented form of learning about the natural environment and its related problems. Participation in this meet makes them conscious enough to do something practical for the conservation and preservation of natural environment by undertaking micro level projects in their communities and schools. The children who attend this Meet are given the title of “Eco-Guards” which gives them confidence to play an active role in their day to day life to create awareness about protection of natural environment and its important role in our daily life.
In 1954, K2 was successfully summited for the first time by two Italian climbers, Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni.
So far, 21 National Children Mountain Conservation Meets have been organized by Adventure Foundation Pakistan and more than 2500 young participants and 500 staff members have participated in this programme.
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