World Wildlife Day Celebrated at AKHSS, Chitral
CHITRAL: Aga Khan Higher Secondary School Chitral observed World Wild Life Day 2019 which falls on March 3 every year. The programme started at 11.00 AM and concluded at 1.00 PM, and attended by the representatives of Wild Life Division Chitral, Chitral Gol National Park, media persons, educational leaders, civil society members and parents. The activity was meant to be observed in partnership with schools in Chitral including Aga Kha Higher Secondary School Kuragh, Aga Khan School Booni and Eagle Nest School Seenlasht Chitral. Proceedings of the programme will be shared with the partner schools as envisioned in the International School Award by the British Council. It may be noted that, the documented records of AKHSS Chitral co-curricular activities, through prescribed mechanism, will be shared with British council for nomination of the school for an International School Award.
The programme started with the recitation from the holy Quran by Grade 12 student Saiful Islam and Naat Sharif by Grade-8 student Aneeq Ahmad. Comparers of the programme consisted of Grade-10 students, Fasihuddin and Hassnain. Sub activities of the programme were English Essay competition on the topic “Over hunting: causes and effects’”, Urdu Essay competition on the topic “Jangli Hayaat ke Tahafuz may Tulba Ka kirdar” and Creative Arts Competition on Wildlife theme. First position holders of both the essay contests presented their essays to the audience and Arts work were displayed in the school’s atrium. First three position holders of each category were awarded with shields, medal and badges by Wildlife Department and certificates by the school. More than 80% students actively participated in the activities of the event.
The day was observed with well-defined objectives. The First objectives as shared in the programme was to act as partner with local and global community in furthering the sustainable Development Goals of the United Nation, which talks about the measures to protect life under water and on land. The second objective was to give awareness to the students, staff members and public to appreciate and contribute in the preservation of wildlife as crucial ecological balancer. The third objective was to give the students an opportunity to explore their students’ learning outcomes in profound manner and to develop in them the core skills necessary for students to success in the competitive world of today. The last objective was to develop a perspective in students where they may be able to think globally and act locally.
The next segment of the programme was a thorough presentation by Muhammad Altaf Ali Sub Divisional Wildlife Officer Wild Life Division Chitral. In his presentation, he shared interesting facts and figures about flora and fauna of KPK and Chitral and their importance for human life and ecological balance. He also shared about various endangered species in Chitral and the steps taken by government agencies and local community in preservation process and possible role of the students in the process. Questions and answers session followed the presentation. In an interesting segment, members of music club of AKHSS Chitral presented the famous Khowar song on wildlife, which is a dialogue between a hunted and dying deer and her baby. The song is a depiction of an emotional situation where a hunter shoots a deer, the baby observing her dying mother asks, “O, mother, O mother, who will take care of an orphan you are leaving behind”, the dying mother replies, “my sweet, don’t bother, the Almighty will take care of You”. The hall of the school echoed with accolades when the legendary artist of Chitral, Mansoor Ali Shabab joined the students on stage to sing the emotion song.
In the end of the programme, principal of the School Mr.Tufail Nawaz, shed light on importance of the day, thanked the participant and concluded the programme. Representatives of wildlife department and the legendary Chitrali Artists Mansoor Shabab were presented with a token of appreciation by the principal.
Celebration of World wildlife day was one of the activities the school, organized in collaboration with the British Council under its International School Award programme. Some of the notables of the programme were, Irshad Ahmad DFO, Wildlife Division Chitral Gol national Park, Muhammad Altaf Ali Sub Divisional Wildlife Officer Chitral, Doulat Khan Stenographer Chitral Gol National Park, Javaid Hayat, Producer, Radio Pakistan Chitral, Ramazan Shah, Chairman ITREB Chitral town and Mansoor Ali Shabab. Beside outside guests, students and staff members of AKHSS Chitral attended the programme in the main atrium of the school decorated with Arts work by the students highlighting wildlife themes and chart presentation of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
