Response to the Pope Francis’s Global Call to work together for the cause of “caring for the Earth”, which he called our “Common Home”.
The Livelihood program of Caritas Pakistan Karachi and Earth Day Network (EDN) with integration of Climate Change Desk and Support of Karachi Social Forestry and Sindh Forest Department jointly commemorated the 46th Earth Day 2016 “Trees for the Earth” on April 22, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Karachi to response the pope Francis’s Global Call to work together in Caring for the Earth, which he called our “Common home”.
The Children and Teachers of Don Bosco Hostel, Priests, Community Members’ Political Activists and Staffs of Caritas Pakistan Karachi participated in the event.
Honorable Mr. Giyan Chand Essrani, Minister for Forest & Wildlife, Government of Sindh was the Chief Guest and His Grace Joseph Coutts Archbishop of Karachi was the Special Honorable Guest, the other Distinguish Guests were Rev. Fr. Mario Rodricques, Rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fr. Jousha, Mr. Mushtaq Matto, Mr. Naveed Bhatti, from Pakistan People Party, Mr. John Rehmat, Mr. Naveen Rogers and Mr. Robin Khokhar from Caritas Pakistan Karachi.
Mr. Mansha Noor, Executive Secretary shared the objective of program by saying that today we gather here to join hands with the world to celebrate the 46rd Earth Day and to lunch our Tree Plantation Campaign “Trees for the Earth” to Save the Earth and save Life.
He said Tree Plantation campaign was organized with the objective to raise awareness among the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Our planet Earth will no longer be able to support life as we know it. At present human daily activities is causing severe damages to our planet.
He also said that, in a single year one acre of mature trees absorbs the same amount of CO2 produced by driving the average car 26,000 miles. Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
Trees help communities specially Fisher Folk Community to achieve long-term economic and environmental sustainability and provide food, energy and income.
He further added that during the Tree Plantation Campaign 2,000 trees will be planted in urban areas and with the collaboration of Forest department about 1,000 mangroves plants will also be planted in China Creek, Bin Qasim Town in the Coastal areas of Karachi to protect the livelihood of the Fisher Folk Communities near Karachi.
At the end of his remarks he said that our campaign included different activities such as debate / poster competition, awareness seminars, training workshops, and promotion of eco bags etc are the major proceeding towards war against pollution. The campaign concluded with the celebration of (Laudato Si Week June 12th – 19th 2016) which shall be attended by a variety of stakeholders consisting of media officials, government line departments, our beneficiaries, teachers, school children, other commissions of the church and likeminded NGOs.
His Grace Joseph Coutts, Archbishop in his comments said that trees absorb carbon dioxide which is harmful for human life and produce oxygen which is vital for our health and life and as well as our atmosphere. Urgent and war foot basis action is needed to plant more and more trees in our community to save our planet from both human and natural disasters before the problems gets bad to worst.
The Honorable Minister Giyan Chand Essrani, in his remarks said that I appreciate Caritas Pakistan Karachi for organizing the Earth Day 2016 and lunched their Tree Plantation Campaign under the slogan “Trees for the Earth” to create Awareness among community and children about their Environment and earth. He said our full cooperation and support will remain with you during your campaign. To support the occasion at the spot he announced to donate 2,000 plants for the tree plantation camping of “Caritas Pakistan Karachi”.
The Tree Plantation Campaign was officially launched by Honorable Minister Mr. Giyan Chand Essrani, for Forest & Wildlife Government of Sindh and His Grace Joseph Coutts Archbishop of Karachi and planted trees at the ground of St. Patrick’s Cathedral with other distinguished guests as a gesture to combat climate change and deforestation in the country. Hence Inauguration of the tree plantation campaign “Trees for the Earth” Save Earth save Life 2016 of Caritas Pakistan Karachi was solemnized. His Grace Joseph Coutts, Archbishop recited special pray for the success of the campaign and blessed all the trees planted in the premises of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Karachi.
In the end but not the least children of Don Bosco’s Hostel presented bouquets to the chief guest while Rev. Fr. Mario Rodrigues presented the traditional Ajrak’s to the Honorable Minister on behalf of Caritas and His Grace Joseph Coutts, Archbishop and Mansha Noor, Executive Secretary presented the golden jubilee booklet of Caritas Pakistan to the chief guest. His Grace Joseph Coutts also presented Ajrak’s to Mr. Mushtaq Matto and Mr. Naveed Bhatti of Pakistan People Party as token of love from “Caritas Pakistan Karachi”.
Prepared By: Mansha Noor, Executive Secretary
Caritas Pakistan Karachi
Dated:23/04/2016