Eco-Journalism

Pakistan generates over 49.6 million tonnes of solid wastes annually and witnesses a 2.4 per cent increase every year. The country has a great potential to produce power and carry out composting, which could go a long way in mitigating impacts of climate change. Effective policies, political will, concerted efforts and adequate investment could turn this dream of environment friendly power generation into a reality but this opportunity is not without challenges.

The mushrooming growth of housing societies on agricultural land in Pakistan endangers its food security.

Kabul river that emerges from Afghanistan’s mountains and empties into the Indus basin at Pakistan’s plain serves as a lifeline for 20 million inhabitants of both the countries by providing water for drinking, irrigation and livelihood. But increasing pollution due to dumping of untreated waste has turned this useful resource into a serious health hazard for its beneficiaries and aquatic species as well.

An ambitious project to convert cattle dung to fuel for buses may improve Karachi’s pathetic transport system, check heavy pollution and restore soil fertility.

There are more than 6,000 glaciers in northern Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). These are clean water reservoirs that actually irrigate Pakistan. But these glaciers are changing rapidly due to climate change. The ecosystem of these areas is changing. Global warming has accelerated their melting and more lakes have been formed as a result. Flooding due to the melting endangers lives and livelihoods of millions of local people and adversely affects the ecology. 

Climate change is a global issue, and its adverse effects are emerging in most countries worldwide. Many countries are taking steps to address these serious issues by introducing new climate-sensitive policies or through legislative changes. In contrast, poorer countries have not been able to do the same. Global warming and the rising sea surface temperature are having devastating effects on the local economy and the livelihood of the coastal communities in Balochistan.

Following the success of Billion Trees Afforestation Project (BTAP) in Khyber Paktunkhwa (KP) province, the Government of Pakistan launched its flagship initiative Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (TBTTP) in 2018 across the country with a view to harnessing the rapidly depleting natural resources and wildlife habitats. Within few years, the ambitious environmental conservation policy has helped turn around many barren landscapes, improve soil fertility, protect environment and wildlife, and, importantly, create livelihood options for local communities. Obviously, the project is attracting global attention.