UGOOD always places value to the protection of environment and conservation of safe and suitable environmental conditions for all the species on the earth.
The most intractable environmental problems in Pakistan are caused by underdevelopment, explosive population growth, poverty and sick governance. The priority awarded to economic growth is such that, even where environmental regulations exist, enforcement has been lax resulting in a wide range of grave environmental problems and a deficient institutional framework.
Unsustainable development has seriously undermined the natural water cycle in Pakistan to the extent that the country may become water-deficient within five years if appropriate action is not taken. Behind the challenge of the overall water supply lies the human problem that only 63% of people have access to clean water and 40% to safe sanitation. The construction of dams has also been responsible for the elimination of potentially protective mangroves, again unchallenged by the authorities despite the devastation of the Asian tsunami. The government's Medium Term Development Framework for 2005-2010 identifies water and sanitation as a key target, promising "water for all". World
UGOOD team of experts is aggressively working to address various environmental hazard by launching environment protection schemes such as:
Campaign for safe drinking water
UGOOD Sanitation and waste management Program
UGOOD Plantation Scheme
Fight against maniac disease Pollen Allergy
UGOOD Program for Conservation of Biodiversity
1.1- Campaign for safe drinking water
Contaminated and unhygienic water not only causes various diseases among human beings but also disturb the natural eco-system as well.
UGOOD with the help of Ministry of Environment, Government of Pakistan launched a campaigns for Safe drinking water in adjacent rural areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Following areas were selected for this purpose:
Kure
New Mal
Murriyan
Majoohan
Chak Shahzad
Mara Noor
Chattha Baktawar
Kachi Abadi
The campaign focus on creating awareness among the community regarding the nature of diseases cause by using unhygienic and contaminated water and precautionary measure to avoid these diseases. People were educated regarding various method of cleaning water and the different products are available in the market. The campaign showed very encouraging response and UGOOD planned to expand the scheme in other areas of the country especially AJK.
1.2- UGOOD Sanitation and waste management Program
After a UGOOD survey in some selected rural areas UGOOD found out that major cause of water and environmental pollution is the improper and inefficient waste management system. For this purpose UGOOD with the help of local representative has initiated working for the provision and improvement for the proper and affected sewerage system. Initially this program has started in rural areas of Sialkot. However UGOOD planned to expand the program in other areas of the country.
Following steps are being taking under this project:
Construction of sewerage line, ducts and tanks
Installation of dust bin in public places
Construction of community toilets
Community awareness campaigns
1.3- UGOOD Plantation Scheme
Under UGOOD Environmental Protection Program, various thickly populated and heavily polluted areas have been targeted. UGOOD Environment Protection Team identifies the nature and number of plants that are suitable for the targeted areas that can help to control environmental Pollution.
So far, five plantation schemes have been successfully implemented at different location of Lahore, Faislabad, Sialkot and Rawalpindi/ Islamabad. UGOOD plans to expand the scheme in other areas of the country subject to availability of the fund.
1.4- Fight against maniac disease Pollen Allergy
Pollen allergy has become a menace for the people of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with the passage of time this is increasing and no concrete steps are visible to meet and eradicate this menace . According to UGOOD survey, patients of pollen allergy are present in many cities, such as Islamabad Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, Attock and Gujar Khan, but majority of its patients are stated to be in the federal capital and Rawalpindi. Most of the patients, living in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, usually resort to migration and spend the period starting from mid- March to the end of April at other places to keep themselves away from pollen environment . In the wake of this situation there is a dire need to develop long term as well as short strategies to fight back the problem of pollen allergy in Islamabad. UGOOD recommends active and meaningful involvement of communities in the fight against pollen by launching a well organized campaign of free medical camps, education and awareness campaigns, knowledge of preventive and curative methods and information dissemination through printed material as well as media .
1.5- UGOOD Program for Conservation of Biodiversity
Pakistan has a number of the world’s rarest animals and plants but these are now in danger from habitat loss and overuse. While people are without doubt a valuable resource, a high population growth rate has put ever-increasing pressure on the country’s natural resource base. Misguided economic policies have widened income disparities and forced people to exploit biodiversity at rates that are no longer sustainable. As a result, processes such as deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, salinity and water logging have become major threats to the remaining biodiversity in Pakistan. One stark remainder of the downslide is Pakistan’s ranking as the country with the second highest rate of deforestation on the world. The continuing loss of the forest habitat, with its associated fauna and flora, will have serious implications for the nation’s other natural’s ecosystems.
Just as people maybe part of the problem, they are also part of the solution. The key to protecting the biological heritage of Pakistan lies in the involvement of local people and in the support provided by competent institutions and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. People should be made to understand that:-
Natural resources cannot be sustainably managed exclusively by communities or government. The government must recognize the interests and rights of local communities, while the communities must recognize that such management is part of a large political and environmental framework.
Biodiversity conservation is an investment that can yield substantial benefits; ensuring a larger market share of benefits to local communities can reduce biodiversity losses.
All sectors that influence should help plan its conservation.
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