UMERKOT: On Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day, speakers at an event organized by the NGO Association for Water, Applied Education & Renewable Energy (AWARE) and supported by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) in Umerkot emphasized the need for policy-level measures to address the impacts of climate change and build resilient communities, especially in the Thar Desert.
They stated that Umerkot, one of the major districts of the Thar Desert, is vulnerable to harsh climate conditions, including drought, flash, and riverine floods, which have resulted in declining routine agriculture production and rising multidimensional poverty. Therefore, they demanded policy-level measures to build resilient communities.
Engineer Bhoom Singh Sodho, a renowned environmentalist and organic agriculture expert, said that celebrating Independence Day reminds us of our responsibility to serve our beloved country. Sodho indicated that the excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has decreased soil yielding capacity, and increasing temperatures and other climate factors have made routine agricultural practices ineffective in Umerkot district.
Speakers, including Abdullah Faqir, Deputy District Education Officer, Abdul Kahlique Rahimoo, Khan Muhamamd Solangi, Deputy Director of Special Education, Tulsi Ram, Karim Bux Shaikh, Ali Hassan Soomro, Aashique Hussain Detho, Nusrat Bano, and Ali Akbar Rahimoo, emphasized the importance of freedom and the sacrifices made by our forefathers to secure a free and independent nation.
They demanded climate change-related legislation and concrete measures for climate change adaptation from the concerned departments.
They also highlighted the issues faced by residents of Umerkot district and nearby districts due to harsh climate conditions, including drought, flash, and riverine floods, which have affected routine agriculture, leading to declining production and rising multidimensional poverty.
The event was organized at the Government Primary School Khan Sahib Atta Muhammad Palli. Students celebrating Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day participated in cultural performances, including folk dances, speeches, tableaus, and poetry recitations that showcased the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The event concluded with a tree-planting ceremony in the school compound, symbolizing growth, resilience, and commitment to a greener and healthier Pakistan.