RAWALPINDI, Aug 16: The prevailing unawareness among policy-makers as well as the masses about various environmental hazards is posing threats to biodiversity.

These apprehensions were voiced by experts here on Saturday during the first day of the six-day national workshop on “Environmental Concerns and its Management Issues”, organized by Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC).

The workshop is aimed at training the teachers in environmental and related sciences with practical exercise to make them aware of the key issues. Another purpose was to encourage the teachers/budding scientists to participate in the sustainable development of the country. About 27 teachers from various universities throughout the country participated in the workshop.

The workshop was inaugurated by HEC chairman Dr Attaur Rehman, who, in his inaugural speech, stressed the need for protection of country’s environment.

During the technical session, eminent scientist Zahid Baig Mirza highlighted his experience and field research on “The Role of Biodiversity in the Operation of Ecosystem”. He said: “From the permanent snow zone to the Alpine eco zone, and from the sand dunes of Cholistan to the littoral zone, people have been violating natural laws for their vested interests under the nose of the authorities concerned.”

He claimed that many political figures were backing the timber mafia in Northern Areas, which was cutting a large number of trees, including the ones 2000 to 5000 years old.

The cutting of trees, he said, on such a large scale, was resulting in soil erosion — another major threat to the environment.

Environmental conditions in Balochistan, Mr Mirza said, were also deteriorating as people were forced to cut trees for fuel purposes in the absence of natural gas. Junifar Jungles in the province, he said, were about to perish for good as no one cared for their preservation.

Sewage of almost all cities of the country is being thrown into various rivers, which ultimately destroys the coastal beauty and marine life.

The expert said conservation of biodiversity in Pakistan seemed impossible as the mangroos system and the food chain in most areas were already adversely affected. Many of the animals, he said, were becoming endangered species owing to environmental degradation. “Wooly Fling Squirrel, which could only be found in Pakistan, is fast disappearing,” he said.