Education & Society Research Forum (ESRF)

College Road Thana, Malakand Agency

We should really concentrate on our environment since it is our livelihood and its a big issue. We are a developing country and poverty is such a big problem. 

But we have one of the most beautiful environments in world; untouched valleys, beautiful forests, loads of wildlife.

The very water that people drink is part of the environment. And people need to understand that if they don't take care of that environment today then they won't have water tomorrow.

We are tourist country and the environment attracts many tourists every year Kalam, Chitral, Marghazar, Malam Jaba, Swat River, Madayen few to mention. But if you don't protect the environment then it won't be beautiful and then the tourists won't come - And that would mean losing one of our country's major earnings.

We need to set an example. We need to start taking our environment seriously and putting together simple projects so that our children and our children's children can still enjoy all this.

So the government needs to start taking these things into consideration. 

• It should not allow people to grab land and cut down trees without any good reason.
• Kids should also be taught about the environment from a young age. But it's not just the kids - the people should be educated as well.

The assessment would look at:

1. Climate

2. Pollution

3. Biodiversity

4. Rivers

5. Agriculture and

6. Population growth

It is a big job.

The idea would be that we would publish it with the government's help, and it would be given to schools to help with environmental education. We don't realize sometimes that many problems could have been prevented if we only took care of the environment. 

Still to come:

Walk a cause (will update)

Seminar on Environment (will update) 

"Random Comments"

I think people should act locally. There is a phrase think globally and act locally - that is what people should do. (Ali)

We have to realize that health is important, education is important - but so is the environment. (Fatima)

If we educate children about the environment then we won't have so many problems in the future. It is important to educate children from a very young age. (Afan)

More people have to try to save the environment - but not a lot of people know about it. Young people pay most attention to fashion, pop music, computers and sports - but not many are interested in the environment. (Afifa & Malaika)

I am particularly worried about global warming. It is getting really really hot in the summer. Even I notice the change. This year I couldn't really bear it and I had to keep the air-conditioning on - and that is not a good thing. (Osman)

And also the sea levels are rising - I hear about it all the time. (Sadia)

People can contribute to the health of the environment with three simple actions: Save energy, save water and recycle. (Nusrat)

I think there are many ways in which people can be encouraged to do this. I think school is a good place, because people are taught from when they are little, and they will be more likely to make a difference when they grow up. (Jamal)

In my school we are only taught about the environment a little bit in geography - but not much. I would like it to be more. (Hifsah)

I think around the world all the people should do a little bit. There is a saying "many a little makes a mickle". If everyone does small things it can change a lot. (Waseem)