In Karachi, the Indus Earth Trust (IET) collaborated with the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) to host the inauguration of an urban forest using the Miyawaki method at Frere Hall gardens.
During the event, the US Consul General in Karachi, Conrad Tribble, participated as the chief guest and contributed to the forest by planting a sapling. He emphasized that addressing the challenges of climate change is not just a priority but a fundamental necessity for the US Mission. Recognizing the importance of collective efforts and partnerships, he highlighted the support of the AEIF by the US State Department’s Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Environmental activist Afia Salam detailed that the Miyawaki forest, situated within the city, was part of an AEIF project. The project included training
sessions that empowered a group of community leaders, now acting as master trainers, to educate their communities about climate change emergencies. This aligned with the US State Department’s objectives to combat climate change, illustrating Afia Salam’s project within the IET.
This initiative significantly contributed to mitigating climate change’s impact and reducing air pollution. It achieved this by establishing an urban forest and enhancing the capacity of community-based organizations and youth through a Community-Based Disaster Risk Management approach.
Shahzad Qureshi, a master trainer of the Miyawaki forest method from the Urban Forest Coalition, highlighted the importance of such forest patches in a city. They serve as measures to mitigate heat, reduce air pollution and noise, and encourage the revival of biodiversity amid urban areas.
Dr. Asma Ibrahim, overseeing the project’s monitoring and evaluation, also attended the event.