In honor of Earth Day 2023, we are excited to share the story of a passionate and driven UGRAD Alumnus, Muhammad Hassan Dajana. Hassan is the leader of the “Green Blue Rawalpindi” initiative, a climate action project aimed at tackling the climate crisis in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan.
This project, which was the winner of the Global Shapers Climate Reality Challenge 2022, focuses on four key interventions. The first intervention involves the strategic plantation of native, indigenous tree species in urban areas to increase the green cover, reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and enhance biodiversity.
The second intervention is the creation of environmental resources. The team reaches out to communities to learn about the problems they face due to climate change and how they are being impacted. They also learn about solutions that communities have found to combat climate change and seek ways to scale them up.
The third and fourth interventions focus on community mobilization, action, and dissemination. The team engages with local communities and stakeholders to raise awareness about the climate crisis and the importance of taking action through resources like the Climate Manifesto and Tree Plantation Guide: Pakistan Edition. They also share these learnings with the local community.
As part of their efforts, the team launched the Plant4Shade and Home4Bees campaigns. They partnered with the Punjab Danish School network, Pakistan’s largest public sector boarding school, providing capacity-building training to 600 female students and partnering with them to ‘pet’ native trees.
The results of the “Green Blue Rawalpindi” initiative have been impressive. Over 5,680 indigenous shade trees have been planted, covering 12 kilometers of roads and highways. Additionally, the team planted a sanctuary for bees in Kachnar Park in the twin cities. They have also mobilized and engaged over 250 community members in their efforts and established partnerships with several organizations to share their learnings and promote sustainable practices.
We are proud to have alumni like Muhammad Hassan Dajana, who are committed to making a positive impact on the environment and communities. The “Green Blue Rawalpindi” initiative is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when passionate individuals come together to tackle important issues. We hope that this story will inspire others to take action and join the fight against climate change.
