Mir Salam Jogezai:
QUETTA : The Balochistan Center of Excellence, under the auspices of the Government of Balochistan, organized a significant awareness and dialogue session at the NUST Balochistan Campus on Thursday under the theme, “Countering Environmental Extremism through Community Engagement.”
The event brought together experts, academics, and community representatives to discuss the growing environmental challenges facing Balochistan and the importance of collective action in addressing the impacts of climate change. Participants unanimously agreed that community-driven initiatives and public awareness are essential for countering environmental extremism and promoting sustainable development in the province.
Addressing the session, Chief Coordination Officer Dr. Dost Muhammad Bareech, Deputy Coordination Officer Dr. Asmatullah Khan, Security Expert SP Muhammad Sharif, Community Expert Dr. Fahmeeda Khan, and other speakers highlighted the severe effects of climate change in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan. They noted that the province has experienced prolonged droughts, devastating floods, cloudburst events, extreme heatwaves, and earthquakes over recent decades, causing significant social and economic disruptions.
The speakers emphasized that environmental extremism and climate-related challenges extend beyond environmental concerns, posing serious threats to social stability, economic growth, and regional security. They stressed the need for forest conservation, sustainable natural resource management, climate resilience strategies, and the promotion of environmentally friendly lifestyles to mitigate these risks.
Experts further underscored the critical role of civil society organizations, educational institutions, media outlets, and local communities in raising environmental awareness and encouraging responsible environmental practices. They noted that active community participation in conservation projects can strengthen resilience, promote eco-friendly behavior, and support long-term environmental sustainability.
The discussion also highlighted that environmental degradation, resource mismanagement, and climate crises can contribute to social tensions and instability, making it essential to adopt a comprehensive and coordinated approach to environmental protection and climate adaptation.
At the conclusion of the session, participants reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at environmental conservation, community engagement, climate action, and sustainable development to effectively address the environmental challenges confronting Balochistan.
