ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: Participants of a panel discussion on 'National Environmental Policy (NEP)' has raised their concerns over the implementation strategy of the policy recently unveiled by the federal environment ministry.
The discussion was organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Monday. The participants from various environment and research-based organizations, including government officials, talked about different provisions of the draft NEP and their possible outcome.
They argued that the ministry should have sought grass-root level participation in formulating the policy. They were of the view that since environmental preservation was closely attached to the overall development of a society, therefore all stakeholders should be taken on board.
The participants also criticized lack of coordination between various tiers of the government - federal, provincial and district - in implementing the NEP. They unanimously suggested that coastal areas, especially Indus delta, must be incorporated in the NEP and draft policy be uploaded on the ministry's official website for larger dissemination.
Director-General, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pepa), Asif Shujah Khan, who also facilitated the seminar, said apart from the government, it was also the responsibility of the people to preserve the environment.
He said Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Genetically Modified Organs (GMOs) had potential hazards for biodiversity, which needed to be taken care of in the policy.
Dr Murtaza Malik from the environment ministry explained about the draft policy. He said to improve the quality of life of people through conservation and improvement of environment, effective cooperation among government agencies, civil society, private sector and other stakeholders was a basic policy vision.
Dr Mahmood Khawaja from the SDPI suggested setting up the institution of ombudsmen in the environment ministry for population, gender, health, poverty, local government, trade and environment.
"There is also a great need for further consultation on the revised policy draft with stakeholders through holding roundtable meetings in provincial capitals," Dr Khawaja said.
He emphasized that the document lacked government's clear commitment towards solving the environment issue and providing adequate resources required for the same. He also pointed out that the policy lacked a strong link to the National Conservation Strategy and National Environmental Action Plan.
Gul Najam Jamy from IUCN pointed that in the absence of skilled human and financial resources, proper implementation of the policy would be negatively affected. By submitting periodic environment reports to policymakers, parliament and provinces, chances of proper implementation of the policy would increase, he added.
Iftikhar Malik of LEAD, Pakistan, appreciated the government's step of getting feedback from civil society organizations through such seminars. "The government should incorporate genuine and real feedback in the policy," he added.
