2009 formally titled ‘National Year of Environment’

With a commitment to cope with the global challenge of environmental degradation and climate change, 2009 has been formally titled ‘The National Year of Environment’, The News learnt.

Launching the National Year of Environment 2009, Federal Minister for Environment, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said on Tuesday that Pakistan is facing a number of environmental challenges due to the accelerated economic and demographic changes. Unsustainable rate of population growth, dependency on natural resources and lack of awareness is gradually leading to over-exploitation and ultimately environmental degradation. Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, and Additional Secretary, Imtiaz Inayat Elehi, were also present on the occasion.

Pakistan is also facing negative consequences of climate change, such as glacial retreat, glacial lake outburst, droughts, flash floods and other associated natural hazards, the minister maintained. The environmental degradation is estimated to cause economic loss of Rs365 billion per annum alone, which amounts to six per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. The minister appreciated the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan for declaring 2009 as the National Year of Environment. Their patronage demonstrates strong political commitment to the environment conservation at large.

Afridi apprised the media that keeping in view the urgency for arresting environmental degradation, the Ministry of Environment has developed a comprehensive plan of activities for engaging all stakeholders including government and non-government institution, civil society organisations, conservation professionals, academia, local communities and electronic/print media for a proactive role in the environment conservation and achieving sustainable development.

Secretary Environment, Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, explaining the aims and objectives of the National Year of Environment, informed that the prime objective of this celebration is to raise awareness among the common masses regarding environmental issues and creating support for attitudinal changes for environment-friendly Pakistan. Additional Secretary Environment, Imtiaz Inayat Elehi, making a presentation on the events of the Year of Environment said that to recognise the importance of the Year of Environment, commemorative stamps would be launched as first step in January 2009. This would be followed by a regional conference on climate change where internationally renowned professionals would participate.

Other activities include Pakistan Clean Air Programme, Control of pollution from brick kilns and stone crushers, Pakistan Water and Sanitation Programme, Green City Programme, Mass aforestation of 10 million trees in a single day, Green Industry Programme, Clean River Programme, School Hygiene and Sanitation Programme, Village Clean up Programme, launch of massive campaign for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, launching of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plans, launching of Solid, Hazardous and Hospital Waste Management Programme and Coastal and Marine Pollution Control Programme.

At the end, the minister encouraged the media to extend its full support to the Ministry of Environment in making this endeavour a success for a green and prosperous Pakistan. Jan Khaskheli, Source The News, December 31, 2008