Walled city of Lahore has its own unique historical significance. The city surrounded by the thirteen gates is hub of commercial and cultural activities. The boom of commercial activities and population bomb has diversely affected the area and its beauty. The environment suffers from negatives affects of the factors mentioned above.

Mochi Bagh (garden) is one of the gardens in walled city of Lahore suffering from human negative interventions. The school C.D.G.High School Mochi Gate is situated inside he bagh. It is used for marriage ceremonies, as there is an alarming issue of space in the area to celebrate different ceremonies so schools are used for such purposes after school hours. These activities spoil the environment inside the school: people damage the flowerbeds and boundary walls. The environment not only inside but also outside the school suffers from such careless activities. That particular area of the bagh gets damaged by keeping the accessories: furniture, crockery, tents, etc.

The second reason for destruction of the environment of one part of the garden is advent of the nomads who stay there for a month in the month of Ramadan. They spoil the resources: water drains, wood and plants.

In the very initial stage the students of class 7 were very active. They contributed to raise funds for restoration of flowerbeds. They did plantation in the school. It was the first step that they had taken. The next step is to raise funds form the rest of the school, involve gardener, PHA, Nazim and the dry fruit shops (they also use the part of the garden for their business purpose) outside the bagh to make efforts solid and effective. They have started raising funds for restoration of the garden.

Yesterday on 18^th of April 2005 students from different parts of the Lahore gathered in Defence club to display their presentations regarding the projects they were involved in. The students of C.D.G.Middle School also displayed their presentation and showed whatever they had done yet. Though they did not achieved much as it was two weeks before they started their project. The main area of work that is restoration of the bagh is to be completed.

It will take two to three months to restore the bagh. The interesting part of the event is that Mr. M. Rafiq Jotoi (District Officer. Solid Waste Management) asked me to contact him for the resolution of the issue concerned with his daprtmant. After this, I thought of discussion over the drain as well that flows inside the bagh, cause of bad smell and garbage around the drain. In the rainy season it becomes a hell for the bagh. Water and garbage pour out of the walls of the drains and fill the area completely. The drain has also caused the death of one of the students of the school who fell down in the drain and found out the next day dead. Its not the first time, such incidents occur off and on. If we become successful to resolve this issue, it will be unmemomorable service by us to the community. So this event in the defence club has given me a new horizon to think widely and to focus on all issues relevant to the bagh.

Students were very enthusiastic to take part in the event. They learnt a lot how students of different schools achieved their goals. It was a great learning experience to know how efforts were made to reach certain goals.

In the end schools and students were awarded with shield and certificates. We refused to accept the reward, as our project was incomplete. But Ms. Sara insisted to take the reward and to justify it. We will share our work and experience in the next event .It is a challenge for us and we will reach up to our goal soon to prove we deserve it. Insha Allah.

Raheela Naz

Coordinator for ICTs projects

Centre for Education and Consciousness

Lahore , Pakistan