Kurt Archer

Today was the Environmental Seminar at SAFMA. Thank you so much Nimra and Sarah for organizing everything so well and making it a huge success!

So we invited a lot of people all over Lahore, and about 100 showed up, 20% of which were youth,which is a satisfactory start for now, but much more needs to be done to create awareness in the youth. The media was also there to carry the message forward to those of you that missed it.

We screened the documentary 11th Hour and invited top panelists to discuss Environment in Pakistan.

Those invited include: Dr. Mehjabeen Abib-Habib, leading environmentalist scholar, Mr. Ali Habib, Director General of WWF Pakistan, and Mr. Asif Farooqui of Waste Busters. 

The discussion was focused on what the state of Environmentalism in Pakistan was, and what our individual efforts can do to improve the situation we face in Pakistan.

I would also like to thank SAFMA for all their help in making this event such a success. I will be following their work around South Asia everywhere I go. 

 
While I was visiting the Roshni Village in Lahore, an eco-friendly farm and school who produces the best organic bread, I met the man who started it all. He shared with us this presentation he gave at LUMS on Alternative Economy, and I wanted to share it with you all.
 
 
Presentation on Alternative Economy
by Hamid Hellmut Hannesen, Roshni Association, Lahore
 
In ancient cultures all social and economical life was influenced by the religious life. Normally there was a group of religious people, not involved in any practical work, but teaching everybody and designing all social and practical life. Worldly leaders like kings and pharaohs were part of this.

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We had an amazing turn out today with over 70 students of the Environmental Sciences department at Punjab University. Thanks to Sana I, for organizing everything! It was a  big crowd but the discussion ended up being very positive. I was surprised to see that one of the inherent opinions held by the students was that the environmental damage, pollution, etc is an issue for western countries alone. The discussion ended on a high note with a professor of Environmental Science talking about the importance of peer review of any large or small scale project. As active participants in society, it is important not only to act in an individual capacity, but also to hold accountable the projects that are creating potential environmental damages.

One of the examples of this comes from the Bachao group in Lahore that pressured the government not to cut down all the trees along the canal in order to widen the roads, eventually a bypass was developed, which took out some of the trees, but most of them were still left, their serenity in tact.

Another success story I heard was actually produced from a study by students from Kinnaird College for Women who tested the health of traffic police. The result was high levels of air pollutants in their lungs which is produced by petrol. The result was a proposal for CNG rickshaws to take over the transport system in lieu of the petrol burning rickshaws which were a source of major pollution. 

Peer review and accountability are important features of environmental awareness! 

Lastly, I am excited at Punjab University in opening a new faculty department for Environmental Science. It will be in operation this year for students to expand their research and labwork in working with environmentalism. Although the establishment is far from an eco-design, the curriculumis very cross disciplinary, so many students will be exposed to the issues of the day.

Last night I arrived in Pak Pattan Sharif, which is about 2 and a half hours outside of Lahore, but if you’re like me and took the Niazi Bus, then expect it to take 7 hours. Yes 7 hours later at midnight I arrive in this town of less than 150,000 people. Instead of cars, I could hear crickets; instead of noise from the streets below I heard only silence. I struggled to find my way to the Mazaar, but once I reached I was greeted by the kindest hospitality, and the warmest food. A real treat indeed.

That night we slept under the stars, in real hand woven charpai’s, sleep came to me as a faint sound of crickets in the moon light.

This truly is an amazing place to start my journey, as I am surrounded by silence, and opportunity. The banes of busy life stress have all vanished, and I have been able to practice the power of Now.

Today we awoke with the light, enjoyed home cooked breakfast, real lassi, chai and khava. We then paid a visit to Baba Farid’s Mazaar, where I quickly became a sort of celebrity with my white skin. My entourage of 50 children-in-toe made it difficult to enjoy the silence, but the qawwali singers brought music to life, with such passion and expression exhuming from their devotion. An experience that can only be characterized as fez, or fayd, which means the overwhelming joy one has with their divine source.

The kids ended up being a blessing, as after wandering the street gulleys, the kids brought us up onto a hill overlooking the Mazaar and the whole of Pak Pattan Sharif, where we flew kites and took many pictures.

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It's been 2 years, 2 months and 2 days since Ive landed in Karachi, terrified, curious and excited all at the same time. I remember starting my AIESEC National Team Experience in Pakistan, by entering through the gates of Karachi wearing a Shalwar Kamize that a friend had given me in Dubai, then being surprised by Emad, Saba, and others who thought it was a funny joke to let me alone in the airport for 5 minutes and take pictures from afar.

Two years later, im wearing Salwar Kamize on a weekly basis, and feeling more than at home with myself in Karachi. However, today is my last day at home. Ive cleaned out my room, said my goodbyes and see you laters and packed my bags: i'm ready to go.

Now Airports are one of those places where people come and go, it creates a finality in our minds, a certain closure about leaving. Maybe its because after the short journey you find yourself in a completely different environment. Well this time I am doing things differently. I'm the first to leave Karachi by train. The slow gradual 23 hour long train ride gave me lots to reflect on, and much to be excited about for my journey ahead. There is something culturally romantic about leaving on a train in Pakistan, it sort of becomes a symbol of my journey and represents the non-closure of my experience – the fact that I will take with me everything I have learnt, loved and experienced along the way. It has prepared me more than ever for my journey into Asia.

I miss you all Karachi, your magic, your fast rhythm dance, your ever surprising days, and your ability to overcome any obstacle that is presented to you. I'll be back. Indeed, I will always be back to visit home.