|
|
|
| June 6, 2005 | Monday | Rabi-us-Sani 28, 1426 |
Rs28bn for environment projects under PSDP
ISLAMABAD, June 5: An amount of Rs28 billion has been allocated for various environment projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2005-06, Environment Secretary Javed Hassan Aly says. He was speaking at a function organized in connection with the World Environment Day on “Green Cities Plan for the Planet” at the National Library auditorium here on Sunday.
The secretary said Rs25 billion had been earmarked under the PSDP and Rs3 billion under the provincial PSDPs for various environmental projects.
These projects would cover environmental issues ranging from provision of clean drinking water to fight against air and water pollution, he added.
“The country is witnessing a booming economy which has its own negatives and positives”, the secretary said.
With increased industrialization all over the country, water contamination and air pollution are also on the rise, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Environment Minister Maj (retired) Tahir Iqbal said the main problem was lack of awareness of environmental issues among the masses.
“It should be everybody’s concern that the environment we are living in is clean and people are aware of their individual as well as collective responsibilities regarding environment protection”, the minister said.
“I am really impressed by the level of concern you have shown through your work and speeches on environmental issues”, the minister told the children who had been invited from selected schools from across the country.
He said 40 per cent of the world population was living in coastal areas, and if the temperature kept on rising with the ever-increasing greenhouse gases, after a few decades a large of number of coastal cities would be affected.
“We have to make sure that development, poverty alleviation and environmental conservation go side by side”, he added.
The minister said within next three years, the government planned to provide clean drinking water throughout the country.
“The government has worked out a clean drinking water project worth Rs10 billion under which water treatment plants would be established at union council level with one plant covering 20,000 people.”
Every year, he said, the country is losing Rs30 billion on the account of water-borne diseases, adding that by spending Rs10 billion, the government could save Rs20 billion.
The minister appreciated the students who had set up various stall highlighting environmental issues. A declamation contest was also held on the occasion.
Amber Yasmin from Quetta, won the first prize, whereas Abdul Basit from Lahore and Kulsoom from AJK were adjudged second and third, respectively.
|
|
|
|
