APP
ISLAMABAD, May 27 (APP): United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned against deteriorating environment in Pakistan and impending crisis in coming decade.
“The state of the country’s environment and resources is deteriorating and in some areas will reach a crisis point in the coming decade,” mentioned UNDP in its recent findings.
The UN body foresaw mounting pressure on natural resources of the country like ecology including extensive mountains, desert, wetland and coastal ecosystems that support distinct and diverse biological communities.
The findings mentioned that the well-being, security and prosperity of current and future generations (160 million +3% each year) depend ultimately on these 800,000 square kilometres of land, water, air and biodiversity resources.
“The country’s natural assets need to be protected so that the future generations can benefit from them,” it stated.
The UNDP’s Human Development Report for this year has also warned that ‘for millions of the world’s poorest people climate change is not a future scenario-it is already undermining their efforts to escape poverty and reinforcing their vulnerability.’
“Unhealthy and dangerous environmental conditions - qualities of air, water, food, housing, land - are commonplace for people living and working in Pakistan’s cities and industrial areas,” it observed.
The UN body has recommended to control pollution and degradation of environment or reduced at source, through better planning regulations and stronger safeguards on water, air and land use.
“Although there is a lot of activity, environmental interventions are fragmented and lack strategic direction in Pakistan,” it further stated.
The analysis conducted by UN confirms the value of integrated rather than insular approaches to the management of environment issues. These require coordinated mechanisms and actions for a national response.
The United Nations has also launched One UN Pilot in Pakistan that provides an opportunity for future work programming, allowing for convergence towards integrated approaches.
The actual results would only be obvious in the coming years, but it is important to move from “fragmentation to coherence” for making environmental sustainability a reality in Pakistan.
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