Innovative Bus Art to Tackle Climate Change in Punjab

In a celebration of 40 years of agricultural

collaboration Australian High Commissioner

and ACIAR CEO launched a bus art initiative

Web Desk

Lahore: In a celebration of 40 years of agricultural collaboration between Pakistan and Australia, Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) CEO Professor Wendy Umberger launched a bus art initiative today. The project focuses on promoting water conservation and food security.

Public buses will showcase cartoons by renowned Australian alumnus and cartoonist Nigar Nazar. These illustrations convey messages aimed at raising community awareness about sustainable agricultural practices and addressing climate change impacts, including water scarcity. The initiative reflects the collaborative efforts of Australia and Pakistan to enhance Pakistan’s agricultural sector over the last four decades.

High Commissioner Hawkins emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “For 40 years, Australia has stood beside Pakistan, working to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture and water management. This bus art initiative captures the essence of that collaboration—using creativity to inspire action and connect people in rural and urban Punjab.”

Professor Wendy Umberger remarked, “We are honored to celebrate this milestone through such a creative and impactful initiative that reaches beyond the fields and into the daily lives of Pakistanis. ACIAR has worked closely with Pakistani farmers, scientists, and policymakers over the past 40 years to develop sustainable agricultural practices, improve food security, and enhance livelihoods, particularly in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan.”

The initiative will involve five public buses traveling through Punjab’s agricultural heartlands, reaching thousands of commuters and passersby. The cartoons aim to encourage viewers to conserve water and support sustainable farming practices.

Nigar Nazar, who attended a professional course at the University of Canberra, received the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz honor from Pakistan’s President in 2023, recognizing her contributions to art and advocacy.