Healthy environment a must for development

Federal Minister for Environment Samina Khalid Ghurki has said that the world was facing extreme challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.

In an exclusive interview with Jahangir World Times, Samina stated that environment has become a universal issue. However, Pakistan is taking concrete measures to build its real image that would reflect our strong concern about environmental issues. She said that not only individual but collective efforts have to be made to overcome this challenge. She said that the government will utilise all possible resources to establish clean and green environment for our coming generations. The minister underlined the need that healthy environment was imperative for social and economical development. She was of the view that there is a need to enhance the efficiency of every related department of the Ministry. She stressed the importance to improve the status of Pakistan in the comity of nations and for this purpose, there is need to create awareness among the masses.

Answering a question about the requirements of energy, Samina said that Pakistan was facing serious energy crisis and collective efforts should be made to overcome this challenge. She said that adequate alternate energy resources are available and maximum benefits can be achieved through their proper management. People should bring change in their habits to conserve energy. Every citizen has to play his due role in conserving energy. She was of the view that awareness campaigns should be launched so that people may not only conserve energy but also utilise alternative resources to fulfill their needs. She claimed that the government was taking initiatives to promote environment-friendly energy and several projects are being initiated with public-private partnership.

While sharing views about building codes, she said that this was a good initiative which would not only provide guidelines for safe construction but will also help in conserving maximum energy. She also urged to take immediate initiatives to launch Benazir CNG buses project and expand it throughout the country.

Responding to another question, the minister said that by adopting different technical ways and means of conservation, agricultural, industrial, trade and domestic sectors can not only save their expenditures but also utilise their energy resources in a proper manner. She also appreciated the services provided by ENERCON in this regard. The present government is committed to manage energy crisis of the country, however, collective efforts with national spirit is need of the hour, she added. Samina said that national programme to make the agricultural and mechanical equipment ‘Fuel efficient’ would be geared-up and the message of energy conservation would be promoted at the grassroots level.
The minister said,

Pakistan is committed to bring green revolution in the country. It has to expedite its affective role at international forums about environmental sustainability. Pakistan is following international obligations about environmental issues.

Samina urged that multilateral cooperation at national and international level should be promoted so that latest and concrete measures may be adopted to meet the challenges of environmental degradation. She also said that there is need to create awareness among the masses about importance of environment. Samina said that sustainable development is major concern of the government and environment friendly infrastructure is being implemented through healthy practices in social and economic sectors. Ministry of Environment always encourages the proposals and suggestions from international organizations. She further said that hazardous emissions are also being reduced that are the major threat for the environment. Environment Minister said that clean and healthy environment is imperative for economic and social development of the country. She said that environment has no boundaries and intergraded efforts are need of time to meet the challenges of pollution and unhealthy practices. She told that maximum resources are being used to aware the general public about importance of environment in our day to day life. All segments of society are being involved for achieving this mission and integrated efforts would be helpful to achieve the targets of healthy environment. She said that different projects have been initiated through public private partnership.

The Minister also said that renewable and alternative energy resources are being introduced in the country to overcome the energy crisis of the country. Moreover, clean transport infrastructure is been introduced through Benazir Shaheed Urban Transit Project under which CNG buses would ply in 11 cities. She was of the view that water is the basic necessity of life, however, Ministry of Environment with the cooperation of UN agencies, is implementing different projects for the provision of clean drinking water and proper sanitation system. She underlined the need that Pakistan was taking initiatives on war-footing to manage environmental issues yet, technical and financial support is also needed to enhance skills development and improve the productivity of manpower.

Highlighting the importance of forests, she stated, ‘forests are our national assets and their conservation and preservation is needed. Forestry is an important sector and special initiatives are being taken to encourage the relevant education and research activities. Trees play vital role in preventing land-erosion, drought and flood situations, she added.

She pointed out that there was a core need to encourage research and education process in the forestry sector and government will provide all possible cooperation in this regard. She said, ‘Government is committed to provide clean and healthy environment for the better future of coming generations.