Winners in Mountain Ecosystem Painting Competition Announced

Shazia Mehboob

Islamabad: Six outstanding paintings celebrating mountain ecosystems and endangered species were honored with certificates, shields, and cash prizes during a ceremony held in Islamabad.

These remarkable artworks were showcased for both a three-member jury and the attending visitors. They originated from a live painting competition that engaged students from various universities and colleges in the twin cities. The competition’s theme revolved around the crucial topic of ‘Restoring the Mountain Ecosystems.’

The live painting competition was organised by Devcom Pakistan in connection with its ongoing 10-day-long 13th edition of the Pakistan Mountain Festival (PMF). The Snow Leopard Foundation supported the event.

Over twenty participants took part in the competition. They preferred oil on canvas and acrylics to reflect the mountain ecosystems. They especially highlighted the challenges confronting the endangered species, including the brown bear, snow leopard, markhor, and several others.They also painted the struggle of communities in combating real-life challenges in the changing climate, women in mountain ecosystem conservation, and cultural heritage from the northern parts of Pakistan. They depicted the impact of climate change on life in mountains besides the aesthetic value.

Hifza Shakeel, representing Viqar un Nina College for Women Rawalpindi, claimed the top spot, followed by Hamna from Islamabad College for Girls F-6/2, Ali Rehman from City School Sector H-8, Haniya Ashfaq from Viqar un Nisa Noon Girls Higher Secondary Institute, Zoha Khan from Roots Ivy, and Zainab Rehman Butt from Rawalpindi Women University, securing the subsequent positions. Additionally, Riffat Ara Baig received an award in recognition of her instrumental role in orchestrating this successful competition.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation, Jaffar Uddin, said mountain ecosystems provide vital services to human life. Mountains sequester CO2, clean water and air, and regulate floods. Worldwide, they provide for the livelihoods of more than half of human society. Climate change is particularly acute in the mountains.He said, “Snow leopards are an integral part of the mountain ecology. Despite the unprecedented role they play in keeping the mountain ecosystems intact, the population of snow leopards is dwindling across its range.”

The environmentalist further said the situation calls for multi-sector and multi-stakeholder coordination by promoting the public-private partnership to foster snow leopard conservation at national, regional, and local levels.

Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director and founder of Pakistan Mountain Festival Munir Ahmed said, “Mountains are the hub of valuable natural resources that are being compromised because of irrational practices.

Different organisations, with the participation of communities, are playing a key role in environmental protection and socioeconomic development in the mountainous areas. We need to put every effort into keeping the mountain ecosystems intact, said Munir Ahmed.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/students-transform-canvases-into-calls-for-environmental-stewardship/

“The communities are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture, and experts in traditional medicine. Somehow, mountain women’s potential and contribution to conservation has been undermined,” environmentalist Ahmed added.