Environment

The environment, encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or
some region thereoI. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction oI all living species.
The concept oI the environment can be distinguished by components
Complete ecological units that Iunction as natural systems without massive human intervention,
including all vegetation, microorganisms, soil, rocks, atmosphere and natural phenomena that
occur within their boundaries
Universal natural resources and physical phenomena that lack clear-cut boundaries, such
as air, water, and climate, as well as energy, radiation, electric charge, and magnetism, not
originating Irom human activity.
The natural environment is contrasted with the built environment, which comprises the areas and
components that are strongly inIluenced by humans. A geographical area is regarded as a natural
environment, iI the human impact on it is kept under a certain limited level.

Environmental Degradation
Environmental degradation is a process through which the natural environment is compromised
in some way, reducing biological diversity and the general health oI the environment. This
process can be entirely natural in origin, or it can be accelerated or caused by human activities.
Many international organizations recognize environmental degradation as one oI the major
threats Iacing the planet, since humans have only been given one Earth to work with, and iI the
environment becomes irreparably compromised, it could mean the end oI human existence.
There are a number oI ways in which environmental degradation can work. In a classic case,
resources simply become depleted. Air, water, and soil are all resources which are vulnerable to
depletion through overuse, as are natural resources like minerals and oil deposits. Habitat
pressures which Iorce animals into a small area can also contribute to resource depletion, as the
animals consume a high volume oI material in a small area.
Pollution is another cause oI environmental degradation. When the environment becomes
polluted, it means that toxic substances have rendered it unhealthy. Pollution can come Irom a
variety oI sources, including vehicle emissions, agricultural runoII, accidental chemical release
Irom Iactories, and poorly-managed harvesting oI natural resources. In some cases, pollution
may be reversible with costly environmental remediation measures, and in other instances, it
may take decades or even centuries Ior the environment to cope with the pollution.
$imple damage is also a common issue. Clear cutting, unsustainable development, and erosion
are all Iorms oI environmental damage. II the damage is extensive, the environment may not be
able to reach a state oI balance on its own, and the problem could become compounded. Erosion
as a result oI bad agricultural practices, Ior example, can strip the earth oI its valuable topsoil,
leaving coarse, useless soils behind. This inIamously occurred in North America during the Dust
Bowl oI the 1930s, in which drought, poor Iarming practices, and severe weather led to a
widespread stripping oI Iertile topsoil Irom Iarmlands.
Environmental Degradation in Pakistan
Poor natural resource management over many years and continuing high population growth has
had a negative impact on Pakistan's environment. Agricultural runoII--caused by ongoing
deIorestation and industrial runoII have polluted water supplies; Iactory and vehicle emissions
have degraded air quality in the urban centers. $imilar to other developing countries, Pakistan
has Iocused on achieving selI-suIIiciency in Iood production, meeting energy demands, and
containing its high rate oI population growth rather than on curtailing pollution or other
environmental hazards. As a result, "green" concerns have not been the government's top
priority.

Yet, as Pakistan's cities suIIer Irom the eIIects oI air pollution and unplanned development has
caused degradation, environmental issues have become more salient. $aIeguarding public health,
as well as preserving Pakistan's natural wonders, has made environmental protection increasingly
important. In an attempt to redress the previous inattention to the nation's mounting
environmental problems, in 1992 the government issued its National Conservation $trategy
Report (NC$R) outlining Pakistan's state oI environmental health, its sustainable goals, and
viable program options Ior the Iuture with the National Conservation Goals.
Building on the Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance oI 1983, the NC$R stipulated
three goals Ior the country's environmental protection eIIorts: conservation oI natural resources;
promotion oI sustainable development; and improvement oI eIIiciency in the use and
management oI resources. Fourteen program areas were targeted Ior priority implementation,
including energy eIIiciency improvements, renewable resource development/deployment,
pollution prevention/reduction, urban waste management, institutional support oI common
resources, and integration oI population and environmental programs.
In addition, in 1993 Pakistan applied National Environmental Quality $tandards (NEQ$)
(Revised in 1999) to municipal and liquid industrial eIIluents and industrial gaseous emissions,
motor vehicle exhaust, and noise. However, attempts to legislate environmental protection have
Iallen short, and regulations have not been enIorced strongly. EnIorcement does not imply
eIIectiveness, though even iI regulations were strictly enIorced, many industries would be unable
to comply: when new revised environmental regulations were implemented in 1999, only 3 oI
industries were able to pass the test Ior compliance.
There are many Iorms oI environmental degradation. When habitats are destroyed, biodiversity
is lost, or natural resources are depleted, the environment is hurt.
Environmental degradation can occur naturally, or through human processes. The largest areas
oI concern at present are the loss oI rain Iorests, air pollution and smog, ozone depletion, and the
destruction oI the marine environment.
Pollution is occurring all over the world and poisoning the planet's oceans. Even in remote
areas, the eIIects oI marine degradation are obvious.
In some areas, the natural environment has been exposed to hazardous waste. In other places,
major disasters such as oil spills have ruined the local environment.
s, or chlorofluorocarbons, are the primary cause oI ozone depletion. When industrial
processes release these chemicals, they rise into the stratosphere and degrade the ozone.
Acid rain, smog and poor air quality have been the result oI air pollution. Both industrial
operations and automobiles have released gigantic amounts oI emissions that have intensiIied
these problems.
Deforestation and the logging industry have destroyed many tropical rain Iorests around the
world. This has destroyed many natural habitats, and the plants and animals native to the areas.
Environmentalists are working hard to combat environmental degradation. There are countless
organizations located all over the world that are dedicated to preventing the global destruction oI
the environment.

Air Pollution
The level oI air pollution in Pakistan's two largest cities, Karachi and Lahore, is estimated to be
20 times higher than World Health Organization standards, and continuing to rise. Islamabad, the
capital, is perpetually smothered by a thick cloud oI smog that hides views oI the Margalla Hills.

As industry has expanded, Iactories have emitted more and more toxic eIIluents into the air.
Also, as in other developing countries, the number oI vehicles in Pakistan has swelled in recent
years Irom 680,000 in 1980 to 7.5 million in 2009. Although the number oI motor vehicles (1 per
143 people) in Pakistan is still well below that oI the U.$. (1 per 1.3 people), the 1992 National
Conservation $trategy Report claims that the average Pakistani vehicle emits 25 times as much
carbon dioxide as the average U.$. vehicle, as well as 20 times as many hydrocarbons and more
than 3.5 times as many nitrous oxides in grams per kilometer.
With Iew controls on vehicular emissions and little enIorcement, reports show that motor vehicle
exhaust accounts Ior 90 oI the pollutants in Pakistan's air. The government has begun to take
notice oI the degrading air quality in the capital, which adversely aIIects the health oI some 16
million people. A recent advertisement placed by the government in a newspaper warned, "Take
care oI your tune-ups beIore the poison in the air takes care oI you."
Many Pakistani environmentalists say that poor Iuel quality is also to blame Ior the country's
serious air pollution problems. Fuel consumption rose by 188 in Pakistan Irom 1980 to 1998.
An estimated 550 metric tons per year oI lead emissions are generated by vehicles in Pakistan
burning poor-quality Iuel, with the resulting air pollution adding about $500 million per year in
related health care costs.
Various grades oI gasoline sold contain 0.35 gm/liter oI lead-in comparison; leaded gas in other
countries usually contains no more than 0.15 gm/liter. Dr. AsiI Qayyum Qureshi, a research
Iellow at $DPI, claimed that the problem oI air pollution could largely be solved iI the
government were to tighten its lax Iuel quality standards.

Water Pollution
Water pollution is one oI the major threats to public health in Pakistan. Drinking water quality is
poorly managed and monitored. Pakistan ranks at number 80 among 122 nations regarding
drinking water quality. Drinking water sources, both surIace and groundwater are contaminated
with coli Iorms, toxic metals and pesticides throughout the country. Various drinking water
quality parameters set by WHO are Irequently violated. Human activities like improper disposal
oI municipal and industrial eIIluents and indiscriminate applications oI agrochemicals in
agriculture are the main Iactors contributing to the deterioration oI water quality. Microbial and
chemical pollutants are the main Iactors responsible exclusively or in combination Ior various
public health problems.

arbon and Energy-Related Emissions

Pakistan's carbon emissions in 1998 totaled
26.8 million metric tons; nearly triple the
1980 level oI 9.3 million metric tons. Yet,
Pakistan accounts Ior only 0.4 oI the
world's carbon emissions, and its
emissions are relatively low compared to
its neighbors in the region: Iran's emissions
have climbed Irom 33.1 million metric
tons oI carbon in 1980 to 79.4 million metric tons in 1998, while India's carbon emissions have
jumped Irom 82.2 million metric tons in 1980 to 252.6 million metric tons in 1998.
Because Pakistan, along with other developing countries, has argued that it needs to be Iree oI
emission ceilings in order to develop its economy, the country has not taken on any emission
reduction commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
nor is Pakistan a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol.
Pakistan's per capita carbon emissions in 1998 were 0.2 metric tons. In comparison, Bangladesh
emitted 0.1 metric tons oI carbon per person, while India's level was 0.3 metric tons per capita.
China's per capita carbon emissions level in 1998 was 0.6, Iran's level was 1.3, and the U.$.
value was 5.5 metric tons per person.
$ectorally, Pakistan's carbon emissions
mainly came Irom the industrial sector
(45.1), while transportation accounted
Ior 27.1, the residential sector Ior 22.3,
and the commercial sector 5.6. OI these
emissions, oil was responsible Ior 56,
with natural gas (35.7) and coal (8.3)
making up Ior the rest.

Noise Pollution
ChieIly, noise pollution comes Irom barking dogs, loud music, vehicles, aircraIt and rail
transport, air-conditioners, Iactories, ampliIied music and construction work. All transportation
systems create noise pollution. With residences created adjacent to Iactories, they experience
noise pollution and its adverse eIIects. Besides transportation noise, noise can come Irom Iactory
appliances, power tools and audio entertainment systems.
Noise pollution is measured in decibels. When noise is at 45 decibels, no human being can sleep,
and at 120 decibels the ear is in pain and hearing begins to be damaged at 85 decibels.
Effects of noise pollution
Human health: Noise pollution disturbs our health and behavior in a number oI ways including
deaIness causing lack oI sleep, irritability, indigestion, heartburn, high blood pressure, ulcers,
and heart disease.
ust one noise explosion Irom a passing truck drastically alters our endocrinal, neurological, and
cardiovascular Iunctions in many individuals. II this is prolonged or Irequent, the physiological
disturbances become chronic and contribute to mental illness.
Annoyance: $ometimes, even low levels oI noise are irritating and can be Irustrating, and high
volumes can be annoying. Natural sounds are less irritating than those we Iind uncontrollable but
intermittent sounds such as a tap dripping water can be more irritating than the sound oI Ialling
rain.
Speech interference: Noise more than 50dB can be very diIIicult to hear and interpret and cause
problems such as partial deaIness.
Sleep interference: Very high levels oI noise can wake people Irom their sleep with a jerk and
keep them awake or disturb their sleep pattern. This could make them irritable and tired the next
day.
Decreased work performance: Increased noise levels gives rise to a lack oI concentration and
accuracy at work, and reduce one's productivity and perIormance. DiIIicult tasks can be
impaired, and instructions or warnings diIIicult to be heard and interpreted, causing accidents.

Renewable Energy
The government hopes that, by harnessing solar power Ior energy in rural areas, it will reduce
villages' reliance on Iirewood. Pakistan is still shiIting to modern energy sources, with Iirewood,
dung, and bagasse (the woody residue leIt over Irom crushed sugarcane) making up one-third oI
all energy consumed in Pakistan as recently as 1988. Pakistan's government is hoping that solar-
generated electricity will improve rural liIe, thereby reducing the urban migration that is taxing
the ability oI cities to cope with their own environmental problems.

Environment & Pakistan
Pakistan's attempt to raise the living standards oI its citizens has meant that economic
development has largely taken precedence over environmental issues. Unchecked use oI
hazardous chemicals, vehicle emissions, and industrial activity has contributed to a number oI
environmental and health hazards, chieI among them being water pollution. Much oI the country
suIIers Irom a lack oI potable water due to industrial waste and agricultural runoII that
contaminates drinking water supplies. Poverty and high population growth have aggravated, and
to a certain extent, caused, these environmental problems.
Although Pakistan is renowned Ior its mountain ranges and areas oI untouched wilderness, the
country passed legislation to protect its environment only in the past 10 years. Environmental
groups have questioned the country's commitment to environmental protection, pointing to the
decision in August 1999 to allow oil and gas exploration in Kirthar National Park, the country's
oldest national wildliIe park, by a multi-national company.
In the cities, widespread use oI low-quality Iuel, combined with a dramatic expansion in the
number oI vehicles on Pakistani roads, has led to signiIicant air pollution problems. Although
Pakistan's energy consumption is still low by world standards, lead and carbon emissions are
major air pollutants in urban centers such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
TheIt or diversion oI electricity in transmission, as well as a lack oI energy eIIiciency standards,
have contributed to Pakistan's high energy and carbon intensities. To increase energy eIIiciency,
the country is stepping up its use oI renewable energy sources to bring electricity to rural areas.
As urbanization continues and the population grows at a rapid rate, in the 21st century Pakistan
will need to conIront its environmental problems in order to saIeguard the health oI it citizens.

Pakistan in the 21st entury
Following early successes in Pakistan's implementing its National Conservation $trategy,
progress has stalled due to institutional Iailure on the part oI the government policies and
practices. In addition to policy ineIIectiveness and corruption, Pakistan has not Iunded
environmental protection eIIorts adequately. A anuary 2000 report released by the Ministry oI
Environment showed that Pakistan currently spends about $17 million per year on pollution-
related cleanup; however, $84 million is needed to correct the country's environmental problems,
and $1.8 -43 per year in added health care costs stem Irom pollution-related causes.

A lack oI Iunding is evident in Pakistan's environmental protection eIIorts. The Iormer
government cited lack oI Iunds as the reason Ior delay in establishing the Pakistan Environment
Protection Council, an environmental protection watchdog group that the government had agreed
to set up several years ago (but only recently established). However, the $DPI has estimated that
the government allocates just 0.04 oI the total public sector development program budget on
the environment, and 70 oI the Iunds Ior environment are loans Irom Ioreign lenders. The
$DPI has estimated the staggering cost oI environmental neglect in Pakistan as between 3-5
oI GDP, projected to reach 4-8 by 2010.
A World Bank pilot project in the province oI Balochistan, iI successIul, could prove a national
model Ior protecting Pakistan's environment and managing its natural resources. In addition to
strengthening Balochistan's institutions involved with environmental protection and natural
resource use so they are better able to undertake their responsibilities, the project seeks to
empower local communities and involve them in the design and implementation oI natural
resources' development and management. The project also will work to improve provincial
natural resources use policies so that natural resources are used in an eIIicient and sustainable
manner, publicize environmental issues, and implement high priority operations and pilot
programs to rehabilitate and develop damaged natural resources.
The World Bank's pilot programs are designed according to the objectives and strategies oI
Pakistan's National Conservation $trategy. However, Pakistan's previous environmental record is
poor, and the country has not been able to back up its commitment to environmental protection
with action until now. It is clear that Pakistan will need to place greater emphasis on
environmental protection in order to stem the country's environmental degradation and saIeguard
citizens' health.