LOCATED in a lush-green environment with clouds floating, little will the environment gurus in Stockholm know what it means to celebrate the World Environment Day in the scorching heat of June 5.
When the decision was taken in Sweden some three decades ago, little did they know that the weather in some of the tropical countries at the time of summer can reach 50 degrees Celsius and up! The cool Swedish breeze transforms into warm air when it enters Asian boundaries. While the warmth fizzles out in Africa, Asia sizzles and so does Pakistan.
However, that doesn’t mean Pakistanis do not celebrate the day. When there is a call for celebrations, jubilant Pakistanis need an excuse. There has to be an evening out and so the World Environment Day is also observed with fervour. This year again, with the temperature touching 46 degrees Celsius, the ministry of environment organized a whole-day event in the National Library Auditorium in Islamabad.
Bushra Anwer Sipra, the parliamentary secretary, was the chief guest. The young MNA is a simple person with her feet firmly on the ground. As per tradition, declamation contests were held in all the four provinces in which various schools participated. Two successful students represent their province and came to Islamabad to read out their speeches. The theme for the contest every year is given by the United Nations to all the member countries, then translated into Urdu and handed out to all the participating schools.
This year’s theme ‘Wanted: Seas and Oceans — Dead or Alive!’ was rather difficult to literally translate into Urdu. Trying to come close to the essence of the line, its closest Urdu title was Samandar aur Darya: Zindagi ki Baqa. It was not only the children, but the work of some print-media professionals who have been writing on environment was also recognized. Hard work of some five journalists from all over the country was recognized and they were given Green Journalists Award for their proactive environmental reporting. They represented both newspapers and agencies such as Dawn, APP and Friday Times.
POLLUTING THE LAKE
Against the picturesque backdrop of Bani Gala, Rawal Lake has been a part of many childhood memoirs. It has been one of the few places in Islamabad where one can spend the evening boating or just chilling out. Once upon a time, the clear azure sky met the clean blue waters of the Rawal. Its waters are today polluted, thick with fungus and infested with bacteria.
For the past two decades, the lake is subjected to various types of pollution by commercial fishing, car washing, boating and poultry farms. With rapid upstream development, the effects have trickled down to the water resources.
In addition to the pollution generated by human activity, the lake also receives natural pollutants from the catchments which contains various wild animals and fowls. Recreational activities, visitors and tourists are also a source of constant pollution to the lake. The pollution from the adjacent Chattar Park (visited by 2,000 people on weekdays and 20,000 on weekends) adds a substantial amount of waste.
“Rawal Lake is not an ordinary reservoir. It is a key resource for Rawalpindi and the main source of water supply for the region. It is important if provision of clean water supply has to be maintained,” says Asif Shujah Khan, DG, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency.
A WHO report indicates that in Rawalpindi, 25-30 per cent hospital admissions are connected to water-borne diseases. “Although water from Rawal Lake is treated before being supplied to Rawalpindi, the present status has alarming pollution levels,” reaffirms Mr Asif. According to him, a specific task force has been made for focus inspection to control the lake’s pollution. In addition, he says, “EPA labs will monitor the pollution level all year round and check the water quality on seasonal variations. A team of inspectors will survey the area and take appropriate action by Pak EPA.”
LOCATED in a lush-green environment with clouds floating, little will the environment gurus in Stockholm know what it means to celebrate the World Environment Day in the scorching heat of June 5.
