EWT WINS ENVIRONMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD 2014

Islamabad (UNP) Governor Punjab Mr. Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar conferred Environmental Excellence Award 2014 upon Environmental Watch Trust (EWT), the first ever trust on environment in the history of Pakistan. Governor Punjab Mr. Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar as the chief guest on the occasion lauded the efforts made towards sustainable development and environmental protection in Pakistan and Green Village Project of Environmental Watch Trust (EWT).

Raja Javed Ali Bhatti, President Pakistan Association of Green Agricultural Journalists (PAGAJ) received the award on behalf of Environmental Watch Trust as Patron in Chief. The National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH) recognized the Environmental Watch Trust for its contributions towards environmental excellence and provision of sustainable livelihood for rural women in Pakistan, at the 11^th Annual Environment Excellence Awards.

Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Minister for Planning, National Reforms, and Development as Guest of Honor appreciated the concept  OF EWT GREEN VILLAGE  and  said its impacts will be not be limited just to the village level, but will also be replicable on country level, and will be a very good reference on national policy and development level. He appreciated the spirit of Chairperson EWT, Shumaila Javed Bhatti who thinks globally and acts locally; much above the academic discussion with practical demonstration on the ground using participatory approach.

The Annual Environment Excellence Awards (AEEA), which started in 2003, has become the “benchmark of standards for environment excellence” in Pakistan. These Awards recognize ‘AEEA Meritorious Performance Leaders’ who run organizations/projects that generate best practices in environmental excellence. Environmental Watch Trust (EWT), led by Shumaila Javed Bhatti as Chairperson, is a democratic organization and talks about the unheard voices of small organic farmers and also promotes dialogues for environment. EWT empowers the role of women in environment, and provide with a common platform for the present and future generation to bring together a team of environmentalists with or without a degree, to heal, restore and sustain the health of the earth.

Environmental Watch Trust (EWT) designed the first ever semi-solar incubator this year. EWT also developed a Green Village with many success stories of different faces. Environmental Watch is empowering women through 100% environment friendly projects including development of leadership and capability of women organic farmers, women empowerment through ornamental fish farming in Green Village Sahal Khinger Gujar Khan. EWT also organized the first ever Organic Rural Women Festival in the history of Potohar. Green Village Development Project of Sahal Khinger will be a success story of reverse migration.