Environmental pollution is an international problem and not connected with a particular nation. The masses have to be educated to create awareness about such an important problem.
Professor Pirzada Qasim, vice-chancellor of the University of Karachi, sounded the alarm while giving his presidential speech in the inaugural session of the three-day international conference on the theme of "Environmental horizons".
The conference is held under the auspices of HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi.
Pirzada Qasim said: "The lack of information or carelessness about the preservation of our environment is creating havoc globally and in Pakistan." He alluded to the mass cutting of trees in the northern areas that result in landslides that kill people and destroy their homes.
The vice-chancellor stressed the need to change the attitude of our society in regard to the environment. "The man and the environment have a long and everlasting relationship but the man is not doing anything to preserve its benefactor - the environment," he commented.
Others who graced the occasion included Dr Iqbal Mohsin, vice-chancellor, Federal Urdu University, Dr Akhlaq Ahmad, the pro vice-chancellor, University of Karachi, Dr Muhammad Qaisar, Dean Faculty of Science, several researchers and students.