June 21, 2001
Pakistan is undergoing $2bn annual loss due to environmental degradation, said federal minister for environment, local government and rural development, Omar Asghar Khan, while quoting a World Bank repot.
Speaking at the SPCS environmental awards distribution and SPCS website launching ceremony, arranged by the IUCN, he said due to environmental degradation Pakistan had suffered a lot but his ministry was going to improve the situation. "Poverty is closely linked with environmental issues as in comparison with elites of the country, poor live in environmental fragile areas," said Omar. He said "environment is no longer a western-sponsored agenda as it was considered to be".
The environmental management was of great significance in modern life and negligence could cause further harm, he said. The minister said the economy was badly suffering and it has become our main problem. Environmental mismanagement, he remarked, mainly contribute to our fragile economy in many ways. He said: "Today we don't have any other option, but to create and live in an environmental-friendly atmosphere. In the emerging World Trade Organisations (WTO) regime, Umar said, dirty and tidy exports would not make their way into the world markets.
"Industrialists will have not only to make qualitative products but will have also to make their industries environmental- friendly", he claimed. In this regards, Umar said, Environmental Protection Act of 1997 was a big step, which he also termed a 'milestone towards a cleaner and human-friendly environment'.
He said that awareness regarding environmental issues was growing with the passage of time. He ensured that government would introduce new measures to halt the ecological degradation. He said: " Five fold increase is earmarked for the environment related programme this year'. Lauding the role of private sector, the minister appealed them to come forward and join hands with government to make earth a beautiful place for living.
Speaking on this occasion, Shuja-ur-Rehman, Manager IUCN-SPCS support unit, said that NWFP took the lead in formulating a conservation strategy. He emphasized the need of institutional reforms and capacity building measures through a greater role of civil society.
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