ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 : Ministry of Environment and Local Government and Rural Development has launched $43 million National Environment Action Plan Support Programme (NEAP-SP) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), official sources said.

The programme will be spread over five years and implemented in three phases and the focus will be on environmental conservation in the context of economic growth.

The programme is aimed at mobilizing technical and financial assistance to help the government meet targets on poverty alleviation and environmental conservation.

The additional secretary ministry of environment has been appointed national project director of the NEAP support programme.

The four priority areas of the project are: economic system management, clean air, clean water and solid waste management.

The programme has been divided into six sub-components: policy coordination and environmental governance; pollution control; eco-system management and natural resources conservation; energy conservation and renewable sources; dry land management and water conservation; and support for grassroot initiatives.

Sources said, presently, programme steering committee is being constituted that will develop long term policies for the programme.

Funds have been released partially by the donor agency and subsequent installments will be released as deadlines set for the programme are met.

The NEAP had been started to initiate actions and programmes for achieving an environment that: safeguards public health, promotes sustainable livelihoods and enhances quality of life.

The NEAP plans on taking immediate measures to achieve visible improvement in the deteriorating quality of air, water and land, through effective cooperation between the government and civil society.

—Zahra Syed