Environment threats: Green policies sought to avoid natural disasters

‘Floods in Pakistan linked to unsustainable use of natural resources’.

LAHORE:

The increasing frequency of floods and disastrous rains is linked to unchecked degradation of environment, United States Agriculture Consullar Richard Todde Drennan said on Wednesday.

Drennan was speaking at an international conference on latest techniques for conservation of animal genetic resource in Pakistan at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

Drennan said protection of biodiversity was currently the biggest challenge for all countries of the world. He pressed upon the participants to advocate preservation of rare and endangered species and adoption of environment friendly policies.

He said the floods wreaking havoc across Pakistan were also linked to issues like unsustainable use of natural resources and rapid population growth.

He said striking a balance between the environment and the economy was in the interest of present as well as future generations.

Drennan said the US government had announced $9 million aid to Pakistan for controlling the spread of foot and mouth disease.

Earlier, UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz urged the government to take measures to protect endangered species of animals as well as plants. UVAS Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology director Prof Dr Masroor Elahi Baber gave a briefing on conservation of ecosystem.

The international moot has been sponsored by the Higher Education Commission and organised by the UVAS in collaboration with the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation.

Delegates from Malaysia, Sweden, Sudan and Bangladesh are attending the event.



Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2011.