KARACHI, March 23: Civil society, NGOs and law students attended an orientation workshop on the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) 1997 and the procedures for approaching Environmental Tribunals.

The workshop, organized jointly by IUCNP’s Law Programme, Sindh Programme and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), was instrumental in providing an in-depth analysis of PEPA and initiating a debate on the efficacy of environmental tribunals in Pakistan.

Representatives of civil society and NGOs discussed at length how environmental tribunals and environmental magistrates could best deal with issues of EIA, violations of environmental laws and effectively utilize the services of local NGOs in these processes.

Noman Saigol, Advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh on Environment, spoke on the limitations of implementing environmental tribunals, owing to budgetary restrictions, lack of human resource and lack of political will.

He urged the NGO sector and citizens to step forward and assist the ministry of environment in making environmental tribunals effective, and to promote the concept of accountability.

The advisor appreciated the role of IUCN, especially in its extensive work in Badin, which he had chance to visit and observe during a recent visit.

In an educative and comprehensive session chaired by Justice Saleem Akhtar, Barrister Khurram Rashid of Surridge and Beecheno and Member PELA, presented an overview of PEPA, functions and powers of EPA, environmental magistrates, environmental tribunals and their jurisdiction.

In the concluding session, Justice Saleem Akhtar said that no government was serious about environmental issues, and what was really needed was awareness and an active civil society.