ISLAMABAD: During a campaign aimed at involving the younger generation in keeping the environment clean, Deputy Mayor of Islamabad Syed Zeeshan Naqvi urged students to take part in cleanliness campaigns twice a month.

The campaign titled `Clean Today Save Tomorrow` was organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute`s (SDPI) Pakistan Youth Climate Network (PYCN) in connection with World Environment Day.

Led by the deputy mayor, the campaign was aimed at engaging the younger generation in pro-environment activities and to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy and clean environment.

Speaking to participants of the campaign at Trail 5 on the Margalla Hills, which is also a popular picnic spot, the deputy mayor said it was the responsibility of each citizen to ensure the city is clean and green and suggested that similar events be organised regularly.

SDPI Senior Research Associate Shakeel Ahmed Ramay agreed and said all the city`s residents are responsible for keeping the cityand its surrounding clean.

PYCN President Yasir Dil said that sustainable development is largely linked with the youth and that without their engagement in various plans and policies, a sustainable future is not possible.

The younger generation should take part in and lead similar activities in order to help shape a sustainablefuture,he said, adding that PYCN provides a platform for youth who want to bring a change and want to be involved in pro-environment activities.

World Environment Day has been observed every year since 1973 and was first started by the United Nations General Assembly in order to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining a healthy and green environment.

The theme this year was `Go Wild For Life` and aimed to highlight the fight against illegal trade in wildlife, which erodes biodiversity and threatens the survival of elephants, rhinos and tigers and other species and also undermines our economies, communities and security. A Reporter