Issues related to environment are hardly recognized in Pakistan and less discussed among politicians and other stakeholders, although the evironmental conditions of the country are critical. Rapid population growth and poverty, low level of public awareness and education, degradation of natural resources, fast urbanization and industrial expansions, pollution of air and water causes severe damages to the national environment. Pakistan already looses almost a billion rupees per day due to environmental degradation. Therefore, measures and initiatives for awareness raising and prompt action are urgently needed.

The Government of Pakistan now has taken a step forward into the right direction. At the end of 2008 the environment minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi has announced a national year of environment with the purpose to raise the general awareness about environmental issues and also to engage various stakeholders including government and non-government institutions, civil society organizations, conservation professionals, academia, local communities and media for taking over a proactive role in environment conservation and achieving sustainable development. The inititive is also considered a contribution to fulfill the Millenium Development Goal related to environment - that means to ensure environmental sustainability.

The minister announced a revisiting of existing laws in order to adjust them to demands of the country. It is also planned to increase the area of forests from five to six percent. Therefore communities will be engaged with planting and growing of trees. A landmark will be the planting of ten million trees by the people of Pakistan on a single day. Furthermore several programmes will be launched that include Pakistan Clean Air Programme, control of pollution from brick kilns and stone crushers, Water and Sanitation Programme, Green City Programme, Green Industry Programme, Clean River Programme, School Hygiene Programme and Village Clean-up Programme. Furthermore throuought the year 2009 various awareness raising activities such as workshops, debates or competetions are planned. At the end of the year the ministry will grant excellence awards to individuals for outstanding contribution to preservation of natural environment.

Calendar of Activity for 2009 as the National Year of Environment (PDF, 4 pages, 289 KB)

National Environment Policy 2005 (PDF, 16 pages, 176 KB)

More Information

• Ministry of Environment
• Pakistan Environment Protection Agency
• World Wide Fund for Nature - Pakistan
• International Union for Conservation of Nature - Pakistan