Use of nuclear technology to mitigate the growing aquatic environment deterioration is a need of the hour. This was the consensus of eminent nuclear scientists at the three-day National workshop on "Assessment, Planning & Response to Aquatic Environmental Emergencies in Pakistan".
The scientists stressed that the water resources are depleting fast because of waste disposal, pollutants and the day is not far, it becomes scarce than oil. Depletion of water sources, its contamination becomes more serious issue with increasing population, they added.
Member Planning Commission of Pakistan (F&A) Dr Kauser Abdulla Malik in his inaugural address said that River Ravi, which was once a favourite picnic spot has changed into abominable site. Moreover, he regretted that Rawal Lake is also contaminated. Water is being constantly polluted with domestic disposals and industrial effluents, he added.
Emphasising water pollution Dr Ron Szymczak Project Lead Country Co-ordinator IAEA/RCA of Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) said that though Australia being a beautiful country, yet Sydney harbour is declared the most polluted in the world. Supporting Dr Don, Dr John Twining of ANSTO, also of Australia referred to bad practices regarding water, which have resulted in salinity and contamination.
The workshop, which was jointly organised by IAEA/RCA and PAEC, is to demonstrate and transfer technologies to end-user institutions for assessment of the impact of various components on the aquatic environment (surface water, groundwater, sediment, biota/food chain) and to strengthen national expertise and collaboration on management of Aquatic Environmental Emergencies in Pakistan.
Talking on coastal line, he said that there should be nuclear testing facility in Karachi, like PINSTECH in Islamabad to closely monitor the environmental effects.
Dr Kauser said Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has benefited immensely the country in terms of socio-economic development through peaceful application of nuclear technology. They also noted that use of nuclear technology for the water pollution has been negligible in health, agriculture, nuclear power generation and problem-specific research.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has had a pro-active approach in sharing knowledge with national and international organisations and based upon its technical resources, it has been one of the largest recipients of IAEA technical assistance, Dr Kauser stated.
Citing the use of nuclear technology towards peaceful applications, he said, "PAEC is running 13 Cancer Hospitals, which offer treatment to more than 350,000 patients annually, has evolved more than 50 high-yield crop varieties and is undertaking problem-specific research for supporting the industrial sector."
He said nuclear technology, despite serving the human kind in a variety of areas, still remains under-utilised and its potential for socioeconomic development can be reaped through international liaison and co-operation.
Utilising the nuclear techniques, PAEC plans to install irradiation plants at Lahore and Karachi to maximise the exports of fruits and vegetables by enhancing their shelf life. This is the requirement of WTO regime as well, Dr Kauser stated.
Dr Kauser further stressed on expanding the horizon of nuclear technology use to mitigate aquatic environmental deterioration, which he said, presently is limited to diagnostics only.
Muhammad Ejaz of PAEC while talking to this scribe, said, the use of nuclear technology for enhancing shelf life and pest resistance of fruit and agriculture has already generated income of Rs 6 billion for the farmers.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr Ansar Parvez, Member, Science, PAEC said "Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has been an active contributor to IAEA/RCA Regional Project on improving regional capacity for assessment, planning and response to aquatic environmental emergencies".
Dr Ansar stated "In more than one ways, man has ventured to tinker with mother nature through direct pollution like dumping of wastes in water, through mixing impurities for agricultural and industrial needs, through accidents like oil spills. The evidence of abuse is all around us and it is feared that water may become scarce sooner than oil. This workshop is meant to conserve and preserve this precious commodity".
Speaking on the occasion, Ron Szymczak said "Nuclear technology holds immense promise for peaceful and beneficial contribution to mankind" and added "Never ever environment has been as much under stress as in these days and we must chalk out strategies for its mitigation through effective communication between scientists and policy makers".
Dr Mustanser Jehangir, D G PINSTECH and workshop co-ordinator, Dr Riffat Mehmood Qureshi also described aims and objectives of the workshop, co-sponsored by Pakistan Navy, Small Dams Organisation and COMSATS.
Comments
Comments are closed.