Environment Asia 2008: waste burning, low quality fuel cause air pollution: experts

Solid waste burning, low-quality fuels and the growing use of fuel-inefficient motor vehicles are causing air pollution, while vast majority of the population have not been able to have access to the potable water.
These views were expressed by the speakers at the opening session of "Environment Asia 2008: International Conference on Development and Investment in Clean Environment and Expo of Environment Friendly Products and Services" at its opening session, here on Tuesday.
The speakers maintained that there were limited natural fresh water resources and reliance on firewood has contributed to the world's second highest rate of deforestation. The present degraded environment situation of Pakistan has inflicted adverse effects on our economic growth, export quality of life and public health, they added. Speaking on the occasion Provincial Minister for Agriculture Ali Ahmed Aulakh said that in agriculture, such types of pesticides should be used which don't have a negative impact on human health.
On a question about construction of Bagliar dam by India and water shortage faced by farmers for the wheat crop, he said that we would achieve the 20 million target of wheat and provide water to the farmers by adopting water management techniques. He also said that the government has prepared special programmes for conservation of water and their judicious use including drip irrigation.
There is a need to construct more mini dams to conserve water, he said, adding that judicious use of water in the agricultural sector would benefit the farmers. He also said that such type of exhibitions would play an important role in creating awareness among the people about the environment problems. Federal Secretary Environment, Khusnood Akhtar Lashari, in his speech said that the government has declared year 2009 as "Year of Environment."
In this regard, score of steps are announced by the government including the issuance of commemorative stamps on environment and holding of international conferences, exhibitions and launching national programmes for protection and conservation of environment in line with the National Environment Policy, National Energy Conservation Policy and National Sanitation policy.
Lashari said that Pakistan signed United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2005. Being signatory to the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, Pakistan is actively joining hands with the global community in addressing the climate change issues. "Government of Pakistan is cognisant of its responsibilities and has taken appropriate measures to protect the environment and decrease energy footprint. To achieve this goal, the government has framed National Environment and Energy Conservation Policies to promote measures leading to reduction in carbon emissions and achieving low carbon economy", he added.
He said Pakistan like other developing countries contribute very little to greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere compared to that of the industrialised countries. However, tragically, the developing countries bear a disproportionate burden of the adverse impacts of climate change. Earlier, Chairman of the Organising Committee Mian Fazal Ahmed said that objective of the conference is to evolve strategies and recommendations for an action plan for checking the fast deteriorating environmental scenario necessary.
Vice Chancellor, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) General Muhammad Akram (Retd) said that we must not disturb the environment equilibrium. Chairman, Chemical Engineering Department, Dr Anwar Rashid Saleemi, said that the global weather and climate change is now regarded as "the greatest challenge facing the world". The average global temperature is increasing, mainly as a result of increase in concentration of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere."