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Homo Sapiens' struggle against nature has reached a point where ultimate result will be a
complete disaster - a disaster beyond any calculations. It is only because nature is the
name of a balance, so created by the Creator and revealed in the Holy Quran: "Hath thou
not seen that unto Allah pay the adoration whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is
in the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the hills, and the trees, and the
beasts, and many of mankind," (22:18) and further elaborated:*"It is not for the sun to
overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit"
(36:40). Human beings collectively, for the first tie felt that the balance of the planet is in
danger, in June 1992 in Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro where more than 150 nations had
assembled to discuss the problem of environmental degradation. The pace with which this
degeneration took place was very alarming. Whosoever is responsible for environmental
decay is not the issue to discuss but the point is that every living species on earth has got
affected. As a super-specie, it is the responsibility of every human being to arm himself to
meet the challenge of maintaining balance in the universe.

The damaging elements for environment are distributed to two broad categories - air
pollution and water pollution, though there is also soil pollution Both have varied degrees
of effects on animals and plants. The effects of air pollution on plants and animals may be
measured by the following factors: (a) interference with enzyme systems; (b) change in
cellular chemicals consequents and physical structure; (c) retardation of growth and
reduced production because of metabolic changes; (d) acute, immediate tissue
degeneration. These factors are cause of the pollution through acid gases; products of
combustion and products of reactions in the air. Water pollution is hazardous for the
species in water.

It has been observed with great satisfaction that international community has seriously
decided to attend to environmental problems. It has to be done, because no one dwells in
isolation in this global village. The air that blows in the US also moves into Canada and
to other continents across to the oceans; the
incidents like Chernobyl and Bhopal also affect the adjacent areas. Thus, realisation is
essential to build an environment, where no one could say, "it is not my business." In fact,
this is everybody's job.

In Pakistan, combined with pollution of every kin the deforestation of green hills by
timber Mafia and usage of wood as a fuel for small industries like tobacco and brick
kilns, and also by the genera! consumers especially in the rural areas has made the
conditions even worse. The problems of environmental degradation can be slowed down
by a wide ranging afforestation programme. And by taking measures to control industrial
and municipal wastes, water pollution can also be controlled.

Entire globe is our concern, but Pakistan is our obligation. Happily the realisation has
made its inroads in our society and for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the
government looked serious in its efforts to control the menace of pollution. Asif AH
Zardari, former MNA, has termed it a crusade against degeneration of environment. The
seriousness of the government is reflected from the establishment of Environment and
Urban Affairs Division (E&UAD), Pakistan Environment Protection Council (PEPC) and
Provincial Environment Protection Agencies (EPAs) in all the four provinces. The task,
no doubt, is gigantic and requires extra-ordinary efforts to accomplish it. Recently, the
E&UAD circulated among the NGOs a draft of the proposed Act entitled "Pakistan
Environment Protection Act 1995" to get their views, so that before making it a law, it
could be trimmed accordingly. Notwithstanding minor judicial and technical lacunas, it is
a wellthough-out document encircling each and every aspect of the environment. Once it
is implemented fairly, it would surely help reduce environmental destruction. ^

It was already in the air that Mr. Asif AH Zardari has planned to launch some sort of
campaign with respect to environment, but is nature was not clear to the general public
until July 12, 1995, when some 250 NGOs were invited to take part in a seminar at
National Library Auditorium. It was a sort ofmela of the NGOs, where this scribe was
also present. There was a perception among the NGO community that it would not
produce any positive results, as provincial EPAs would function with prejudices, likes
and dislikes, Obviously, it was a hasty conclusion. Better we leave it for time to prove,
but what brought the rejoicing moments for naturelovers was a news item in national
newspapers about setting up of a Task Force for Environment and Afforestation. Senator
Vaqar Ahmad Khan was appointed as Chairman of the Task Force. The writer is not a
member to the Task Force, but in a bid to see the376

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things from a very close angle, made its way into the meeting room. The members are, no
doubt, having vast experience in their respective fields. To bring in healthy attitudinul
changes, it is pertinent to keep a check on the Division running the business, but
unnecessary criticism should not be made, as it might lead the entire process to sub-
optimisation.
The afforestation drive has to be mainly carried out by the big companies and
corporations like PIAC, OGDC, PTC, scheduled banks, etc. They have to plant saplings
in blocks and also on avenues. The role of the NGO, is still not clear. They are being
asked to monitor the plantation but modalities for such monitoring are still ambiguous. It
was-for this reason that the efforts of the NGOs have not yet been channelised for the
afforestation drive. The past experience of the NGOs regarding their performance is also
an obstacle to establishing a smooth relationship. The PEPC intends that NGOs should
do, whatever they can, on voluntary basis. This strategy of the E&UAD and PEPC has
ignored the ground reality that how a non-profit organisation can devote time and efforts
without some compensation. At the same, the purpose of a NGO is not to accumulate
money like a commercial organisation, but just to meet its day-to-day expenditures.
However, this confusion can also be overcome by a process of refinement -- to get rid of
those NGOs who have previously been tested and are found unreliable. Opportunity to
new NGO in making contribution in this important national campaign should not be
denied. Lack of direction to resolve this problem is resulting in commercial firms filling
up the vacuum. National Highway Authority is an example where 21 plantation
companies have been engaged to plant saplings on contract basis. Of course, dedication
like NGOs cannot be expected from commercial organisations. The over all most due to
commercial profit factor will also be higher.

From all, what has been observed on and after 1996, uptil now, it appears that it is the
Environment and Afforestation Task Force who role will be significant in future, subject
to its effectiveness, which is luckily in sigh. Former senator Vaqar Ahmed's appears to be
a guarantee that he-will be able to mobilise the potential of the Task Force. The members
of the Task Force, however, cannot function well until and unless a smooth flow of
information of the progress from all over the country is fed back through impartial
monitoring. This can be done through a permanently functioning centre with necessary
infrastructure. The centre should be run on modern management style. It must function
with vigour and skill which can only be ensured if services of some

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dynamic researches and experts are engages. A compete data-bank would help know the
ground realities and formulate future policies on a continues basis. The allocation of
funds for meeting above said objective is an inescapable need and should be mode. The
members of the Task Force should also conduct random sample survey of the area where
an organisation is engaged in afforestation campaign.

Without an active participation of the NGOs this gigantic task will not be accomplished.
One fears, this afforestation campaign might go to dogs like Social Action Programme
(SAP) where the NGOs were not actively engaged on a large scale. The methodology of
hiring or acquiring services of the NGOs is globally accepted and its importance should
realised.
There is also another problem which must be tackled by the E&UAD, PEPC and Task
Force collectively. It is related to mobilising mass awareness. Unfortunate aspect of the
currentlylaunched afforestation drive is that publicity or mass awareness programmes
have not been designed according to the psyche of the masses. The programmes should
bring out long-and short-term interests of the common man and his future generations,
keeping in view seriousness of the issue an active involvement and interest of Mr. Asif
Ali Zardari in afforestation and re-efforts taken by the officials of Environment and
Urban Affairs Division including Task Force, the following steps are recommended:

*" NGOs should be involved in active plantation and monitoring.

*** The Task Force for Environment and Afforestation should be equipped with an
effective Task Force Centre for its efficient functioning.

•** A proper and smooth system of data-collection should be introduced a monitoring

must be done to keep a check on the whole affair. A continues process of research and
discovery must go side by side, as it is a crash programme with long-term implications.

•^ The Task Force may consider to establish a model plantation scheme in a selected area
for others to follow.

*" Presently, two methods of plantation have been adopted, i.e., block-afforestation and
avenue-afforestation. It is suggested that a third model or system should also be
introduced, i.e., in-house plantation. This procedure ensures 100 per cent results as safety
of the sapling becomes the responsibility of the house owner. This system has been
successfully adopted and implemented by Rotary Club of Islamabadw

378 Emporium Current Essays

Cosmopolitan in village Tamma and Jadala in the outskirts of Islamabad. Task scribe has
visited the village as a part of research on the models for afforestation.

** The Capital Development Authority (CDA) should provide at least three saplings to
every house in Islamabad, and twenty to forty saplings, or according to the capacity, to all
the schools in the Federal Capital. This list can include hospitals, colleges, universities,
hostels, railway station, police stations, bus-stands, public parks, etc. they can also be
done by Rawalpindi Cantonment Board. Similarly municipal corporations, district
councils, town committees, union councils can also be mobilised in every nook and
corner of the country. The district management can also contribute.

** Mass awareness campaign should be launched through both formal and informal
means of mass-communication. The programmes on TV failed to produce an impact on
public. The youngsters were ignored and provincial EPAs were seen obliging particular
groups. The young generation should be encouraged by inviting them on TV along with
experts. This will give them, psychologically, a sense of participation. Timing of these
programmes should be between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm. The informal means must be
utilised viz., mosque, churches, hujras, otaks, community centres and also leaflets,
brochures, pamphlets, etc., must be utilised. Services of a mass communication expert
should be hired.

The renowned writer Edmund Burke had once said: "The only giving necessary or
triumph of evils is for good man to do nothing." Are we in earth of good people ? is a
question that must make us feel that w are the custodians of resources for our next
generations. We must adopt such system, technology and approach which could ensure
that our exploitation of natural resources should not disturb the future generations. This is
called sustainable development and w must pursue it. Let's join hands to work for a cause
- the noble cause of environmental protection and afforestation.