KHAIRPUR - Two-day international conference on “Environmental issues of Sindh and its remedies” inaugurated at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, on Wednesday.
The moot is being organised by the Shah Abdul Latif University in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission, WWF Pakistan and Sindh Green Environmental Forum.
Isra University Chancellor Prof Dr Asadullah Kazi presided over the session and shed light on Indus water accord between Pakistan and India. He also highlighted the importance of distribution of water among the provinces on equity.
Speaking as chief guest, ECO Science Foundation Islamabad Chairman Dr Manzoor Ahmed Soomro, said that climate change is a reality and challenge as well. He said we must learn from nature. He announced that steps would be taken to establish the institute of environmental studies at Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur.
“The most common issues in the era of globalisation are environment pollution caused by industries, automobiles, municipal discharges, energy sector, urbanisation, deforestation, ozone depilation and global warming,” says Prof Dr Parveen Shah.
She said that our country is agrarian, most of our GDP depends on agriculture almost 24 per cent of GDP is contributed by agriculture. She said that the frequent use of fertiliser pesticides and other chemicals are harmful for human health.
Dr Fayaz Ahmed Memon from UK presented the keynote speech on decentralised water management options to address water scarcity in developing countries. He said only 17 per cent population of the country has access to fresh water.
CEO SPO Islamabad Naseer Memon presented the dismal state of environment in Sindh. He said that we had lost our forests in Sindh. “In Pakistan there is 5 per cent area under forest cover, while in Bangladesh 18 per cent forest cover. Due to air pollution and vehicular emission the environment is being degraded,” he added.
“Three million people are Hepatitis patients in Sindh due to unsafe water. At present, he said, Sindh faces serious challenges including dying of Indus Delta, left and right bank falls collapsed, wetlands in bad conditions, EPA is no more effective in term of finance, legal course of action and lack of training.
Memon stressed the need for empowering universities in research, policy and awareness, civil society agenda for betterment and regulation process.
Sindh Green Environmental Forum President Dr Saeed Ahmed Rid thanked Dr Parveen Shah for providing opportunity to organise this conference. He also highlighted the objectives of the forum.