In a meeting called by Volunteers of Change (VoC), associates of about two dozen local NGOs have joined hands to work for the development of the local community. The consultative meeting was held in the Saturday afternoon at SIT Conference Hall, Abul Fazl Enclave.
The main discussion of the day was to mobilize the public, organizations and government bodies for undertaking plantation at a mass level. It was also suggested that each of the local NGOs should organize at least one plantation activity under Green Okhla drive.
Convener VoC Dr Abdul Rashid Agwan informed at the beginning that historically Okhla had been a lush green and beautiful area to the extent that medieval kings used to visit it and during the British time it was a popular picnic spot. However, in some past decades not only it lost its coveted green cover but also its clean air and local residents are seeing its change as one of the severest spots of pollution in the most polluted capital city of the world, he remarked. He went on to say that as a network of social workers, activists and community leaders, VoC has decided to launch a drive this year during July and August based on four kinds of activities: awareness generation, coordination with government bodies, plantation and seed ball throwing in vacant lands.
Mr Aslam Naved, an environment consultant and Prefect Green Domain of VoC, highlighted that NGOs will have to play a major role in the near future in such fields as climate change, water conservation and solid waste management and they should switch over to enterprise mode rather than going by the conventional charity mode, for which immense scope is gradually emerging.
Adv. Ata Khan the Prefect NGO Domain of the VoC conducted the program whereas such NGO leaders as Ml Abrar Ahmad Islahi, Mr Abad Khan, Mrs Naseem Khan, Dr ST Hashmi, Mrs Ghazala Hashmi, Mr Mohd. Yusuf Hariyali, Dr MA Johar, Dr Arif Nadvi, Ms Afsara, Mrs Neishat Hashmi, Mrs Atia Rabbi, Mr Tayyab Anis, Mrs Umme Fatima and others expressed views and gave suggestions. The program began with the invocation by Dr Arif Nadvi and welcome remarks of Adv Ata Khan and Mr Syed Shahid Ali the Coordinator of VoC concluded it with vote of thanks.
The following suggestions were agreed upon:
1. NGOs working in Okhla area should take the Green Okhla Campaign in their own way.
2. Some common activities will be planned and implemented for mass awareness on Green Okhla.
3. A workshop of NGOs will be soon organized regarding CSR and Eco-enterprising.
4. The NGOs of Okhla will cooperate in the All Delhi NGO Conference, suggested by Ml Abrar Ahmad Islahi.
