LA HORE: World Wide Fund for Nature -Pakistan and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) signed an MoU to partner for the International Eco-Internship Programme (IEIP) under which the latter will sponsor 3,000 students to spread environmental education,says apressrelease.

The agreement was signed by Anwar Naseem, WWF-Pakistan Senior Operations Director, and Amer Tufail, SNGPL Deputy Managing Director (Services).

IEIP Senior Officer Hamza Malik and SNGPL Executive EngineerHealth, Safety and Environment Asma Maqbool were also present on the occasion.

`Through this partnership we aim to ensure that we reach out to an even larger number of students so that the country`s youth can be sensitised to promote nature conservation,` Anwar Naseem said.

Amer Tufail siad, `This is an amazing opportunity for students to work for environment conservation and to protect the biodiversity of our country. We are investing in our youth for a greener Pakistan and a better tomorrow.

The IEIP is one of the most prominent environmental educationcampaigns of WWF-Pakistan with more than 8,000 students participating in it each year from across the country. WWF-Pakistan has also supported WWF-South Pacific in replicating the programme in Suva, Fiji, after a pilot session, making it international.

The objective of the programme is to provide an opportunity to students from grade 6 onwards to become affiliated with the organisation, taking first steps towards professions in the environment sciences,the release says.

Through this internship, students also broaden their scope as responsible custodians of natural resources by becoming more awareof their civic responsibilities, it adds.

The programme is a structured workshop based on six interactive sessions covering a wide array of topics on nature conservation and environment such as biodiversity, sustainable development, water conservation, renewable energies, climate change, green journalism, solid waste management and nature photography.

Students also participate in hands on activities such as documentary making, eco designing, picture story, survival training and project making. They receive a certificate after successful completion of the internship.