Pakistan can achieve its goal of land reclamation through utilising a mechanism of Alberta Oil Sand Mining Land Reclamation which is not only environment friendly but a solid solution to utilise land resources properly.
This was stated by Syncrude Canadian Hydrologist Tariq Cheema, while delivering special lecture on "Alberta Oil Sand Mining Environmental Issues and Research" organised by Water Management Research Centre UAF at New Senate Hall on Friday.
Tariq Cheema while giving the overall picture of Alberta Oil Sand Mining said that Alberta's Oil Sand deposits contain 2.5 trillion barrels of bitumen which are greater than the known reserves in Saudi Arabia (262 billion bbls) 1/4 of global proved reserves. He added that due to its high productivity Alberta Oil Fields have been under environmental threats. Cheema maintained that total area of 20,000 ha is under exploration, which is causing deforestation and uncultivated characteristics in soil resources.
Tariq Cheema while expressing his concern over increasing environmental issues due to extraction of oil from sand and as a by-product developing mountains of sulphur and huge amount of coke.
He added that more than 10 mountains of sulphur are being raised day by day and still there is no solid solution to dump or to transfer such a huge amount of coke and sulphur. He proposed that land reclamation procedure could be exercised in countries like Pakistan.
Cheema added that water resources for the process of oil sand mining are being recycled 18 times which is another example to utilise limited water resources for efficient use of irrigation and other means. He said that in order to restore the beauty of nature the planned cutting of trees campaign replaced two year earlier with new tree-plantation at relevant areas. He expressed his concerns over shrinking and reducing areas of forests in Pakistan.
Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, V.C UAF earlier said that due to revolution of science and technology the world has been converted into global village so there is no discrimination for the residents of any part of the world to conqueror the globe with the power of scientific and innovative knowledge. Dr Iqrar urged the young scientists to redesign their priorities in the light of thought provoking lectures of scientists like Mr Cheema.
Professor Rai Niaz Ahmad, Director Water Management Research Centre also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the main features of research outcomes of WMRC in order to introduce water conservation strategies among farming communities of the country. A large number of faculty and students attended the lecture.
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