Water-borne diseases cause 60 percent infant mortality

Water pollution is the biggest killer in Pakistan, as 60 percent infant mortality is caused by water-born diseases. Development Executive WWF Pakistan, Caitlin Olliver Malik, stated this while delivering a lecture on 'A Fine Balance Threat to Biodiversity in Pakistan' organised by the Institute of Continuing Education and Extension of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) here on Tuesday.
She maintained that a diverse physical environment resulted in great diversity in biological life.
"Pakistan has an extremely diverse physical environment and nine distinct Eco-regions. Pakistan has 11.2 percent protected biodiversity areas against 4.2 percent international protected areas," she said.
The WWF Pakistan desired collaboration with the UVAS to launch a joint venture in the field of environment, she maintained.
Speaking on the occasion, vice-chancellor Professor Dr Manzoor Ahmad called for creating awareness about a clean environment and the hazards of pollution.
He announced that the university would launch an environment awareness drive, and ensure that every person would get clean water and pollution-free environment on the campus.