Ministry of Environment has sought financial assistance from World Bank (WB) to initiate a project to protect environment degradation by ship breaking. "It is over a month now since the ministry has sent a letter to the World Bank asking for the funds for the project. As soon as a positive response is received, the ministry would start working on the project", said sources.
"The ministry plans to invite international experts to study the area and find out how the dismantling of ships is affecting the environment, and also see the interest of the parties involved in it", said the sources. Besides this, experts would also be consulted to provide protective ways of ship breaking that would not harm the environment.
The sources added that the scrapping of ships takes place on sandy beaches without taking measures to prevent water and soil pollution. There are few facilities for disposing of hazardous waste, and materials that cannot be recycled and are usually dumped on the spot.
The ministry is hopeful that after getting funds from the World Bank, the project would be designed in such a way that would bring positive environmental changes in the areas and its surroundings. And the ship breaking would be done in an effective way that would effect our economy too.
Three countries including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been indicated that could ask for the financial assistance for such projects. India and Bangladesh have already taken this initiative. However, Pakistan now has realised its right, therefore, it has asked for the financial assistance from the World Bank.
Comments
Comments are closed.