The provincial governments are planning scientific landfill in major cities and waste water treatment plants for municipal sewage. This was stated by Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro while addressing the participants of the signing ceremony of 'Islamabad Green City Charter' here on Saturday.
Federal Ministers, and Secretaries of Environment, Industries, Petroleum, Interior, Health, CDA, heads of other concerned departments and representatives of civil society and various stakeholder were present on the occasion. This plan will be implemented in five years at an estimated cost of Rs 1.028 billion.
According to the plan, a healthy climate needs pollution-free atmosphere, plenty of water and lush green areas, but with the increasing population its resources and environment are under pressure. Currently, according to a survey, it has been noticed that pollution in the capital has risen from 0.340 million tons to 1.124 million tons within 25 years showing an overall increase of 230 percent with an average annual growth of 6 percent.
The signatories endorsed the declaration of Islamabad as 'Green City', and pledged to sincerely work to implement 'Islamabad Green City Action Plan' and promote sustainable development. Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro said that Islamabad Green City initiative would set a landmark in the environmental history of Pakistan and present a role model for other cities to follow.
He said that the master plan of Islamabad was being reviewed to cater for additional infrastructure requirements. He urged that a strategic environmental assessment should be conducted in consultation with the Ministry of Environment so that the new master plan could support the initiative of Islamabad Green City Programme.
He said: "Our government gave high priority to environment and remained committed to provide clean and healthy environment to the people. We have taken various measures including mandatory environmental impact assessment for development schemes, establishing waste water treatment plants in new industrial estates and encouraging use of CNG in vehicles.
"Similarly, our industrial sectors have also become environmentally conscious and are taking various measures to improve environmental condition. The environmental regulatory institutions like Environmental Protection Agencies at the federal and provincial levels are being strengthened to effectively perform their role and enforce environmental standards. "
He said that declaring Islamabad 'Green City' was a step forward towards achieving government's objective of improving country's environment. He called upon the regulators, planners, industrial entrepreneurs, residents, civil society and youth to come forward and work together to restore and further improve environmental conditions in Islamabad. The provincial and local governments should also follow suit and draw environmental plan for their urban and rural areas.
Federal Minister for Environment Wajid Hussain Bukhari said: "We have signed the 'Islamabad Green City Charter' with the promise that from now onward every resident, industrial and business entrepreneur, administrators and developers will act as 'friend of environment'.
"This will be followed by finalisation of 'Islamabad Green City Action Plan' in consultation with all stakeholders, establishment of Green Force for implementation of the action plan, setting up Islamabad Green City Fund and developing green city guidelines for public.
"The Islamabad Green City Action Plan will include energy conservation; solid waste reduction and management; water conservation and quality management; waste water management; urban design; air quality management; seasonal fumigation; maintenance of parks and gardens; tree plantation and grass cover and environment-friendly transport.
"The United Nations Green Cities Declaration provides a collaborative platform for cities across the globe to take in recognition that a majority of the world's population now reside in cities, and that cities consume 75 percent of the world's natural resources creating environmental challenges.
"The world governments are adopting environmental standards to reduce global warming, improving air and water quality, reducing waste, preserving open space and natural habitat, creating environmentally sound and healthy community."
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