The sixth National Children Mountain Conservation Meet organized by Adventure Foundation Pakistan was held in Kaghan Valley from 1st July to 10th July 2007 with the financial support of UNDP Small Grant Programme, Babar Ali Foundation, WWF-Pakistan, OMV Pakistan and Pakistan Wetland Project. 122 children age group 11 to 14 selected from all over Pakistan attended this 10 days unique activity based on environment conservation programme.
This programme was launched on the occasion of International Year of Mountains-2002 with a view to create awareness among young people about the mountain ecosystem and involve them in meaningful activities using mountains' environment as an open classroom.
Under this programme each year 120 children are selected from all parts of Pakistan to attend a 10 days camp in mountain environment. 10 children from Earthquake affected areas of Kaghan Valley and AJK were also given special scholarships to attend this meet.
This programme involves young children in an action-oriented form of learning about the natural environment and its related problems. Eventually it makes them conscious enough to do something practical for the conservation and preservation of our natural environment. 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.
Opening Ceremony of the event was held at SOS Children Village Dhodial near Mansehra on 2nd July. Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana Vice President of AFP was the chief guest on this occasion. Senior officials of Wildlife Department and Forest Department of NWFP and representatives of environmental NGOs also attended the function. The four themes of this year meet were Biodiversity and Forest, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation and Waste Management and Recycling. Environmental expertise briefed the participants about the importance of mountain ecosystems and issues of global warming, depletion of fresh water, deforestation and threats to environment in wilderness and urban areas. Participants moved to Base Camps in Kaghan Valley on 3rd July. Two base camps were established at Naran and Shogran with the collaboration of PTDC. Children spent their eight days in environmental activities in Kaghan Valley accompanied by resource persons on flora and fauna and environmental education.
The participants were divided into four working groups; each group was also given an environmental symbol. Activities like study of flora and fauna, study of lifestyle of local people, mountain cleanup, tree plantation on mountain slopes and training about proper waste management procedures were carried out during this period by the young participants under the guidance of resource persons. 500 saplings of pine trees were planted at Shogran and Naran by the participants as part of Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign of UNED. They also collected 400 kilogram of non-organic waste from the surrounding area of Lake Saiful Muluk which is the most beautiful alpine lake of Pakistan and visited by thousands of tourists each summer. Children also donated seven specially designed waste bins to the management of Saiful Muluk National Park to install in the SMNP.
At the end of the Meet the 6th Mountain Children Forum was held at Islamabad on 10th July. Minister of State for Environment, Mr. Malik Amin Aslam was invited to be the Chief Guest on this occasion but due to uncertain situation of Islamabad because to Lal Mosque incident he could attend the forum. In his absence Brig Jan Nadir Khan, President of AFP chaired the forum. In the forum children made presentations about the themes of the meet and share their experiences of camp activities with the audience. They also made recommendations to the Ministry of Environment to address environmental issues of mountain areas. Aftab-ur-Rehman Rana, National Coordinator of NCMC Meet presented vote of thanks to all the sponsors, supporters and those volunteer staff members and resource persons who helped to make this event successful. Representatives of partner organizations and other environmental NGOs also attend the forum.
At the end Chief Guest distributed certificates and badges of Eco-Guards among the participants of the meet. This is an annual event and so far more than 700 children have gained title of Young Eco-Guards through this project.
