Stakeholders including senior conservationists and environmentalists have expressed concern over growing trend of proposing mining, drilling and seismic surveys in protected areas of the country with particular reference to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, despite clear legal provisions prohibiting the same.
Such views were expressed during the public hearing of environmental impact assessment (EIA) for drilling of two exploratory wells in Nawabshah Block, organised by Sindh Environment and Alternate Energy Department here on Tuesday.
It was observed that proponents mainly comprising multinational companies often tend to overlook that relevant activities severely compromising the internationally recognised status of protected zones with severe impact on their flora, fauna, migratory birds, reptile and other wild life species including those registered to be endangered and their habitats.
One of the concerned proponents Tullow Pakistan (Development) who under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act-1007 and the IEE/EIA Regulations 2000, had submitted the EIA report for seismic survey and drilling of two exploratory wells in Nawabshah Block, however, challenged the very stance.
Representatives of Tullow Pakistan acknowledging that the proposed project area was located in Deh Akro-II wildlife sanctuary, said that as the company's own global reputation was on stake extremely sophisticated and environment friendly technology was being applied with due consideration for optimum application of national and international rules and regulations.
Mohammed Nauman Saigol, Advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister for Environment and Alternate Energy who presided the session said the department despite all constraints in terms of human and material resources would ensure that rules and regulations of the land were strictly implemented.
"Precious natural resources of the province will not be allowed to be wrongly exploited," he said adding concrete guarantees for protection of bio-diversity would be a necessary requirement for any form of exploration.
About the proposal for Nawabshah block deliberated during the long proceedings, the Advisor for Environment and Alternate Energy said revision and review would be expected in the proposal to meet the genuine concerns of the experts. Lacunae observed in EIA report itself might also be required to be addressed, he said.
With specific reference to oil and gas development projects being undertaken by multinationals, he said concerns expressed by stakeholders had to be necessarily taken into account with due consideration also for employment opportunities, in all cadres and at all levels for area people. Consideration to safeguard people against possible eruption of diseases coupled with educational medical care, social development in relevant areas on sustainable basis must be noted.
Sindh Secretary for Environment Department, Shainsul Haq Memon in his key note address on the EIA Exploration Activities in Nawabshah said that while the report presented during the session was well documented but was seriously wanting in context of impacts and mitigation and environmental management plan.
Elaborating his stance, he said summary of the impacts and mitigation reveal that attempts had been made for cosmetic mitigation measures while factually environmental degradation and devastation of the Wildlife sanctuary would go unabated with pulverisation of biotic and environmental factors.
Experts including Dr Abrar Hussain Mirza, Dr Shamimuddin, Professor Hameed Memon, Professor Abdul Rasheed Memon and many others from concerned Government departments, NGOs, IUCN, WWF debated upon the report presented by the concerned company.
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