ISLAMABAD: Trees are important for the environment and help sustain life on earth. They purify water and rid the air of pollutants which is why we must take care of them.

This is the message that author Nigar Nazar has illustrated in her book titled My Tree Book launched at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Friday. Held in collaboration with Gogi Studios and Ministry of Climate Change, the event was organised to enlighten youth and children about the significance of forests in controlling rising temperatures and glacier lake outburst flooding (GLOF).

PNCA Director General Zahir Shah welcomed chief guest Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam and Spanish Ambassador to Pakistan Manuel Duran Ginenze-Rico.

Mr Shah thanked Nigar Nazar for preparing an informative book with an interactive style of description and illustration, saying this would surely make readers aware about environmental issues.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Jaudat Ayaz said: “Glacial lake outburst flooding poses hazards in northern areas of Pakistan leading to loss of lives, properties and livelihood of communities living in remote and impoverished areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. The concern can be handled through growing trees in areas besides taking other precautionary measures.”

Mr Aslam appreciated consistent commitment from Nazar towards creating awareness on social and environmental issues through her comic and record books especially Garbage Monster/Kooray ka Jinnand My Tree Book,emphasising on the impact of pollution, GLOF and global warming and suggesting ways to cope with these issues.

A song titled Aik Achai bhi Achi hai and a mime performance were part of the major attractions at the event.

Asma Rashid, representing the PNCA, appreciated Nazar’s contributions towards creating awareness about social issues through cartoons and animations over the last 40 years.

At the end of the event, seeds were distributed among guests whereas Nazar announced distribution of her book in schools.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2022