Clean & Green Pakistan
Zubair Qureshi
Being federal capital of the country, Islamabad needs to be a model city for other metropolitans and cities of the country in climate-friendly initiatives. This was observed by stakeholders, members of civil society and youths who participated in “Zero Waste Banigala Initiative” here Saturday.
The solid waste initiative launched by the Amal Foundation in collaboration with Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation and Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad aims at making Banigala a solid waste-free town.
A public awareness festival was also arranged at Football Ground in Banigala for the general public to mark the initiation of the project in which the community representatives, environmentalists and concerned officials participated.
Adviser to the Prime Minister Malik Amin Aslam was the chief guest on the inaugural ceremony. Parliamentary secretary Rukhsana Naveed, MNA Sajida Begum, environmentalist Christina Afridi, Director municipal administration MCI Sardar Khan zimri were also present on the occasion.
The initiative is the first one in Pakistan to introduce two trash bins to segregate the trash at source in the households. The partners of the initiative are determined to make Bannigala town a role model for the rest of the country. The project will raise awareness in the public about waste reduction, reuse and recycling for sustainable and smart waste management in the area.
Speaking on the occasion, Malik Amin Aslam said preparing Pakistan for climate change meant ensuring our cities and communities are sustainable, both now and in the future.
He said, “We need to design policies and implement programs that work for our residents, and for the environment we depend upon. This initiative will lead by example to become zero waste communities, and invest in the future of residents and generations to come.”
Malik added that many cities in the world have transformed themselves from dirtiest to cleanest in just few years by recovering and recycling at least 80 per cent of their solid waste and 90% of their solid waste. He said that MoCC has developed clean city index consisting of 29 indicators on which each city in Pakistan has to perform in order to get their respective share in the Provincial budgets. He said that the Zero Waste Model being set up in Bani Gala would serve as a model for other communities and cities in Pakistan.
Mahreen Waseem, president of the Amal Foundation, said the citizens cooperation would make the cities clean and green if they start knowing the easy ways of solid waste management. Segregation of wet and dry garbage leads the cities to zero waste. The trash we throw on the streets can make good money for the people if used rationally.
