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GREENING ACTIVITIES IN SHANDUR FESTIVAL (By Atta Elahi, Education Officer, MACP- Booni)

Introduction

The Mountain Areas Conservancy Project (MACP) is working in two conservancies extending in Swat, Dir and Chitral istricts. The conservancies are named Terichmir and Qashqar. Laspur is one of the valleys of Qashqar conservancy and the pasture of Shandur is on the northern end of this valley. The aim of MACP/IUCN is to mitigate threats to Biological Diversity in Western Himalayas, Karakuram and Hindukush mountain ranges of Northern Pakistan. The World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) is undertaking Environmental education and awareness program of MACP.

The Shandur festival

Shandur festival is celebrated in Shandur pastures since a score of years with great pomp and show. This festival is famous for its world’s highest ground, Polo matches between Gilgit and Chitral districts. Besides, polo matches other reflection of cultural folk traditions can be observed. Usually three days are specified for the festival every year. People including foreigners, inland and locals enjoy these cultural shows with great zeal and enthusiasm in the open air. The natural beauty of open pasture, Shandur Lake, glaciated mountain peaks and the world highest polo ground is worth seeing components of the festival. The inhabitants of Laspur valley use this pasture as grazing ground for their livestock during summer seasons.

Environment and the festival

In Shandur festival there is usually a huge gathering of people. There is not a proper system of waste management and disposal, toilets and other necessaries. The whole area becomes a pile of waste materials after the festival. This is not only harmful for pasture’s Eco- system but also fatal for cattle and livestock. This year, the MACP intends to undertake cleaning activities after Shandur festival. The following activities have been planned: -

1. A training workshop for the youth and school children will be conducted on June 6,2001 at GHS Harchin Laspur. The contents of the training workshop are,
- Introduction to environmental conservation
- Role of youth in conservation
- Importance of high altitude Ecosystem
- Kinds of pollutants
- Techniques of solid waste management and disposal

2. Banners have been prepared containing the messages of conservation and conducting environment friendly activities during Shandur festival specially, safety of Shandur Lake Eco- system from different kinds of solid wastes.

3. Digging of many pits and fixing of Sign boards near the pits specified for,
- Glass materials and used bottles
- Pieces of papers, packets etc. and
- Plastic materials

The youth, school children and teachers of Laspur valley will be involved in solid waste management during and after Shandur festival to keep the Shandur’s environment safe.