QUETTA: The provincial government is taking steps to mitigate the impact of environmental issues and climate change, says Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani.

Chairing a meeting of the Balo­chistan Environmental Protection Council (BEPC) on Monday, he said: “Balochistan is already facing serious environmental issues, particularly water scarcity and drought, thus we need to come up with concrete measures, besides creating awareness about the impact of climate change.”

The provincial government took a lead in forming the BECP, following reports of the last conference of International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). Its main objective was to study and come up with result-oriented recommendations over climate change and environmental degradation.

Participants of the conference, including environmental experts, discussed in length environmental issues, climate change and the working pattern of the BEPC.

Alyani calls for creating awareness about climate change

Furthermore, it was decided to change the name of the Balochistan Environment Department to the Climate Change and Environment Department so as to expedite its efforts towards mitigating the hazards of climate change and environmental issues.

Balochistan is the first province to take initiatives following the last IPCC report.

The chief minister said the provincial government would support the measures being taken to curb environmental hazards and the impact of climate change as the province was facing drought while groundwater was also fast depleting.

He said it was responsibility of every citizen to play his/her role in protecting the environment.

Mr Alyani directed the authorities concerned to take action against people using sewage water for vegetation which was hazardous for human health.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2018