Environmental degradation: Rickshaws, motorbikes main culprits

According to 2010-11 economic survey, there are 3,329 CNG stations operating in the country.

ISLAMABAD:

Two stroke vehicles such as rickshaws and motorcycles in Pakistan more than doubled in 2010-11, registering an increase of 142.6%. All these vehicles contribute to the air pollution, which remains one of the most significant environmental problems in the country, according to 2010-11 economic survey.

According to the survey, there are 3,329 CNG stations operating in the country, with more than 2.5 million vehicles running on the fuel.

However, high population growth rate, lack of public awareness of environmental issues, mismanagement of natural resources, widely unplanned urban and industrial expansions are the core issues contributing to the deteriorating environmental issues in the country.

The survey says the average population density in Pakistan is 222 persons per square kilometre, higher than many others developing countries. Rapid urbanisation itself is putting immense pressure on the available infrastructure.

Contributing to pollution are uncontrolled discharges of municipal as well as industrial waste in water bodies, runoff from agriculture fields where agrochemical usage has been increasing and other natural as well as anthropogenic activities which take place in the catchments.

The existing water resources in the country are under threat due to untreated discharge of municipal and industrial wastes to rivers and other surface water bodies. The majority of the population of Pakistan is exposed to the hazard of unsafe and polluted drinking water, the survey said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2011.