The United Nations System in Pakistan, which consists of all UN agencies operating in the country, organized a study tour and briefings for students at the Morgah Biodiversity Park in Rawalpindi.
Fifty students from the Grammar School in Rawalpindi and Beaconhouse School in Islamabad took part in the briefings and study tour. Briefings were given by an environment specialist of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and a representative of the Morgah Biodiversity Project of the National Cleaner Production Center. After the briefings, the students toured the Park with a guidance of the Biodiversity Project official, and observed the work of the conservation of biodiversity.
The Biodiversity Park was opened on 31 January 2005 in the presence of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Mr Kim Hak-Su. The Park offers visitors opportunities to learn about the importance of conservation of biodiversity. It brings together participants from the private sector, national and local governments, and the local community and aims to conserve endangered and important flora and fauna of the Potohar region of Pakistan. As part of ESCAP's Pro-Poor Public Private Partnership for poverty reduction, it follows the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.
The biodiversity project includes income generation activities through the
development of compost from organic waste and the development of community gardens.
The project has been helping to improve the income and the environment of the
two large villages, Morgah and Kotha Kalan, inhabited by 40,000 people.
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