World Water Day Celebrated at USPCAS-W MUET

The celebration of world water day organized by the U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) and Institute of Environment Engineering and Management (IEEM) Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro held at the Center concluded on Friday. Speaking in the seminar on Nature for Water, Prof. Dr. Khan Muhammad Brohi, MUET Dean for Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering said that water is life and livelihood for all and sundry and all of us take measures for saving this precious natural commodity. He said that World Water Day is usually celebrated on March 22 every year but due to Center’s participation in different events organized by the different stakeholders, the day is being celebrated by IEEM and USPCAS-W MUET on Friday, March 30, 2018. Dr. Brohi said that the celebration of world water day would engage students in different activities in order to raise awareness regarding the judicious use of water and better sanitation. He further said that MUET Water Center established by the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), striving hard for seeking the sustainable and cost-effective solutions of the water challenges faced by Pakistan.

On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar, Director (Academics and Research) of the Center said that world water day is an international observance and the celebrations of the day pave the way for the sensitization regarding the issues related to water. He said that an international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations (UN) Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and consequently the UN General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. He said that this year the theme of the day is the Nature of Water which explores nature-based solutions (NBS) to the water challenges faced by the world in the 21^st Century. He further highlighted NBS said that planting trees to replenish forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains and restoring wetlands, is a sustainable and cost-effective way to help rebalance the water cycle, mitigate the effects of climate change and improve human health and livelihoods. Dr. Mahar further said that using NBS to help meet the water needs of a growing population, protect the natural environment and reduce pollution which is also the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Engr. Fayaz Naich, the MUET Alumnus and renowned anchor of Sindh TV News speaking in the ceremony said that research on the rivers and civilization is of the great importance in this era of technological advancement. Appreciating the USPCAS-W as a Center of Excellence in Water Sector, Mr. Naich said Pakistan needs such centers of advanced studies to tackle the prevailing issues of water, energy, and agriculture and food security. On this occasion, the documentary on “Story of the Indus Valley” produced and directed by Dr. Abdul Karim Rajper, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sindh Television Network was also presented. After the seminar, the panel discussion on water issues was held in which panelists comprising of Dr. Mohammad Munir Babar, Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar, Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal, Dr. Kamran Ansari and Faiz Naich responded different questions asked by the participants of the event. An awareness walk, student speech, poster and documentary competitions were also held on this occasion. Mr. Faris Bhatti, Mr. Maaz Saleem, Ms. Sanja, Mr. Waqas Inam, Mr. Mumtaz Ali Nizamani, Mr. Talal Naseer, Mr. Zain-ul-Abdin Khatti got the positions in the different competitions held in the world water day celebration. The Dean, Deputy Director, and other faculty members presented the shields to the students who got positions and also presented the souvenirs to Sindh TV News team members for their active participation and presenting the documentary on Story of Indus Valley. The IEEM and USPCAS-W water center faculty and students participated in the event.