HYDERABAD, May 5 Sindh Minister for Environment and Alternate Energy Askari Taqvi has called for joint efforts to save environment from hazardous impact of residential and industrial waste.

Energy and environment were major concerns of all the nations, specially the underdeveloped countries, he said on Tuesday at the concluding session of the first international conference on 'Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development for Growing Economies'. The Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) organised the event in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission and British Council.

He said air and water quality deterioration was very serious environmental issue that people were facing. Gas emissions from industries, sea water intrusion and indiscriminate disposal of domestic and industrial waste water into fresh water bodies had caused degradation of wetlands, rivers, and lakes, he added.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the organisers for holding a purposeful international conference on very important issues. He emphasised the role of all and sundry for ensuring better environment in the country. He expressed the hope that the papers presented in the technical sessions of the conference would be beneficial for our future planning and policy making of the government.

MUET Vice-Chancellor Dr A.Q.K. Rajput said that the university would propose new projects in the field of energy and environment following the suggestions and recommendations of the conference, he said.

He emphasised the need for applications of solar system for remote and isolated areas of the country.

Professor Dr Mohammad Aslam Uqaili, Dean Quality Enhancement Cell of the university and member steering committee of the conference, offered vote of thanks to the participants, especially to foreign delegates.

Professor Dr Rasool Bux Mahar presented a detailed report on the three-day conference.

He said that more than 100 papers had been received from various countries including UK, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Italy, France, Palestine, Iran, South Korea and also from various parts of Pakistan.

Only 65 papers had been accepted for oral presentation in the conference on the themes of energy management and conservation, environmental engineering and management, renewable and emerging energy systems, biological and chemical treatment, waste treatment and management, and energy and environmental sustainability, he informed.