ISLAMABAD: Nestlé Pakistan has joined hands with local environment groups Green Force and Green Volunteers for cleaning up the banks of polluted Korang River, which passes through Islamabad and flows into Rawal Lake and provides water for Rawalpindi.
The three-hour cleaning campaign involved some 200 participants, which included parliamentarians and school children from 10 institutions. A team of volunteers from Nestlé Pakistan, including the company’s Managing Director Magdi Batato, also took part in the activity.
Speaking on the occasion, Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs at Nestlé Pakistan, said: “For Nestlé, environmental sustainability is a key component of our creating shared value. That means managing operations in a way that protects the ecosystem, being a steward of natural capital and working with stakeholders, among other things. We are happy to be here and walk the talk.” He said that the employees who had taken part in the activity were part of Mashal-e-Rah, the company’s employee volunteer programme, which encourages employees to engage and assist local communities.
Senator Mushahid Hussain, who was among the organisers, said: “Let’s work together for making our national capital one of the prettiest cities of the world, so that we can all be proud of a green and clean Islamabad.”
The participants picked up garbage from a kilometre-long stretch of the river banks. The garbage was collected and put in bags. The activity was followed by brief speeches, snacks and distribution of prizes to the team that collected the most garbage.
Cristina Afridi of Green Force said: “The river is a critical source of water and it is a pity that it is so polluted. We are here not only to highlight the problem but also to be a part of the solution by doing our bit. We are happy to work with organisations with similar objectives and create synergy for raising awareness and preserving the environment.”
