The Sindh government has acknowledged the remarkable contributions of young environmentalist Aneeqa Bashir in safeguarding Pakistan’s green heritage. Caretaker Sindh Minister for Tourism, Environment, and Climate Change, Arshad Wali Muhammad, presented her with an award for her exceptional efforts. Aneeqa’s mission revolves around the preservation of the country’s green heritage and the promotion of environmental awareness.
Her initiative involves a campaign to document and protect centuries-old Banyan trees, recognizing them as crucial elements of the national green heritage. Aneeqa oversees platforms such as Agreenerpakistan.org and projectbanyantrees.com, both dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preserving the green heritage. She has authored numerous articles shedding light on the impacts of climate change and pollution in Pakistan. Aneeqa aspires to inspire the youth to take on the role of environmental stewards. To achieve this, she conducts workshops to educate Pakistan’s young generation on environmental issues and ways they can positively contribute. Additionally, she manages a recycling network.
Looking forward, Aneeqa is actively working on implementing the Youth Environmental Responsibility Act, a bill she has crafted that mandates students to plant and care for trees as a graduation prerequisite. This innovative approach draws inspiration from successful measures adopted in Switzerland and the Philippines.
Aneeqa’s vision includes introducing private-public partnerships through her ‘A Greener Pakistan’ initiative to generate job opportunities in the climate sector for the lower-income segment. This project involves connecting heritage trees with interested users who express a desire to plant or restore them, facilitating interaction and long-term care by designated caretakers. The goal is to conduct plantations with respect to local biodiversity.
In another upcoming project, Aneeqa aims to address critical issues related to water waste management and pollution. She has taken a leading role in making substantial changes to combat climate change. Her passion, determination, and innovative ideas are driving impactful actions on multiple fronts.
Aneeqa Bashir’s efforts have earned her recognition at the National Youth Policy Dialogue awards ceremony in 2023, where she received a national changemaker climate hero award from the SDGs Academy. The UN also featured her internationally as part of their Celebrating Ways Youth Lead campaign. Notable figures, including the Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab and former Forest Minister Taimur Talpur, have acknowledged and commended her mission for a greener Pakistan.
