Experts have called for immediate steps for better water management in order to halt the depleting water table.
They were speaking at a session organised by Green Office (GO) initiative of WWF-Pakistan on Saturday. GO is a practical environmental programme designed especially for offices. It helps workplaces reduce their burden on environment by reducing their carbon footprint.
The session brought green office certified companies together.
WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan, in a video message, said per capita water availability in Pakistan was decreasing and there was a dire need to address this issue in an integrated way.
GO coordinator Nazifa Butt highlighted the achievements of the programme which included reduction in paper consumption, improved energy efficiency and recycling in the corporate sector. She said that the initiative had received a positive response from the corporate sector, as there are 35 Green Offices by now.
“We are working with growers of cotton and sugar in Punjab and Sindh for reduction in water inputs on crops. We have achieved remarkable results in terms of reduction in water, use of pesticides and fertilisers,” she said.
Mansoor Malik of UN Habitat said people and animals drink water from the same place in Balochistan, which is a serious health risk.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Dr Muhammad Khurshid Khan appreciated the GO initiative for raising awareness on indoor pollution, saving energy and better water management.
Environmental experts also highlighted urban building design, plumbing and rainwater harvesting, water treatment technologies, water stewardship in Pakistan and industrial water conservation respectively.
Awards were also given to some ‘green network’ corporations for successfully implementing environment-friendly practices. Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Sukkur won an award for reduction in waste generation by 67 per cent. Engro Powergen won an award for reducing energy consumption by 27 per cent and Unilever Pakistan for reducing energy consumption by 10 percent.
The Green Office initiative is an extension of WWF Finland’s Green Office concept which provides working community the opportunity to join hands with WWF’s international goal for a better living environment.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2014.
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