“Miracles happen to those who believe in them” – Bernhard Berenson

Needs strategy for solid waste management

It is an irony that Pakistan hasn’t devised any strategy for solid waste management. Reportedly, our country produces over 4.36 billion cm (BCM) of home and industrial wastewater annually and 49.6 million tons of solid trash, an increase of more than 2.4% annually. Similar to other developing nations, just 1% of the total wastewater is treated before it is disposed of, but 60 – 70% of the solid trash remain untreated. In the absence of proper strategy, there are significant environmental issues in Pakistan especially in the absence of waste handling facilities. The majority of municipal waste is either burned, discarded, or buried on unoccupied plots, endangering the general public's health and sanitation. The largest city in Pakistan, Karachi, produces more than 16,500 tons of municipal garbage every day, compared to 7,690 tons in Lahore, 5,017 tons in Faisalabad, 4,500 tons in Rawalpindi, 2,048 tons in Peshawar, and 716 tons in Quetta. The poor management of sewage and solid waste generated in large cities resulted serious consequences. The issue is exacerbated by inadequate capacity, a lack of funding, a lack of waste management tools and technologies, a lack of urban planning, and poor public awareness. On the streets, solid garbage is frequently thrown in public areas. We strongly need to devise a strategy to overcome this problem.

Zubaida,
Lahore

Deforestation – a serious environmental issue

When people take down trees for fuel and building materials but do not replant them, forest areas are lost. This is referred to as deforestation. The main reasons of deforestation in Pakistan include urbanization, population growth, and the quick expansion of cities. Cutting down forests has a significant impact on the ecology, as well as damaging the natural beauty of the area and innumerable species habitats. Pakistan has a high rate of deforestation, which is regrettable given that more and more rural areas are becoming urban hubs. In addition, many people depend on wood from trees to build their homes or keep them warm throughout the winter due to a lack of resources and poverty. But regardless of the cause, there is no disputing that deforestation is a major problem. The answer to this environmental problem is rather simple: we must plant more trees and protect the surviving woods. Fortunately, Pakistan's government has organized numerous tree-planting campaigns over the years to address this issue. Furthermore, Changa Manga, a sizable artificial forest in Punjab, is already present in Pakistan. In addition, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's One Billion Trees programme is another remarkable success in this area. It is also important to note that Pakistan's deforestation can be significantly reduced by turning paperless.

Yumna,
Rawalpindi