The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEA) is a government agency that promotes environmental protection by providing clean air and water. It has launched various projects in both the private and public sectors. Some of the major projects are the control of pollution in Karachi, development of the textile processing industrial estate in Faisalabad, and the environmental technology programme for industry.
Functions
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for environmental conservation and management. Its activities cover several fields. These include pollution control, monitoring, and assessment. The agency also provides services in the field of energy and waste management. In addition to its core functions, the EPA also undertakes various outreach activities, including general public awareness campaigns.
The National Environment Policy of Pakistan provides the framework for the agency’s activities. It addresses issues such as air pollution, contamination of fresh water bodies, lack of proper waste management, loss of biodiversity, climate change, and natural disasters. It also recognizes the National Conservation Strategy and provides broad guidelines for government agencies, provincial governments, federally administered territories, and local governments.
The agency also promotes research, science and technology, and sustainable development. It also identifies legislative needs and initiates legislation in various sectors. In addition, the agency distributes information to the public regarding various environmental issues and pollution control measures. Its work is overseen by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (Pak-EPC).
One of the core issues of Pakistan’s National Conservation Strategy is environmentally sound waste management. In this context, the National Environment Quality Standards (NEQS) have been introduced. Moreover, the country’s cement factories have been targeted and anti-pollution technology is being applied to these waste-generating facilities. In addition, mass awareness campaigns have been conducted to promote the proper management of waste.
As part of its Public Sector Development program, the EPA has assisted other countries. In 1994, international organizations provided financial assistance and expertise. A 60,000 US dollar grant to Pakistan’s National Plan to Combat Desertification. Lack of land-use planning and land-use control are major problems in Pakistan’s environment. The country also lacks sustainable development in mountainous areas.
Institutions
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, PEPA, is a government agency that oversees environmental protection and conservation programs in Pakistan. It has four major components: the federal Ministry of Environment, four Provincial Departments of Environment, and the Environmental Protection Agency. It needs to be strengthened and equipped to better manage the country’s ecosystems. Some international organizations, such as the World Wide Fund and International Union for Conservation of Nature, have worked to help the country implement the National Conservation Strategy. Other groups that have focused on environmental protection include the Rotary Club.
The government has also taken steps to increase awareness of sustainable development among citizens. It has reorganized the education system and made a compulsory research paper on environment in the secondary and intermediate levels. It has also implemented mass awareness campaigns and funded writers to help communicate the sustainable development message. It has also established a library and documentation centre to provide information on environmental issues to educational institutions, industries, and non-profit organizations.
The PEPA also creates the framework for the implementation of national and provincial sustainable development plans. It appoints environmental magistrates and environmental tribunals, and protects wildlife and habitats. It also establishes province-level sustainable development funds. In addition, the PEPA provides a framework for initial environmental examinations and environmental impact assessments.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency was established under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance, 1983. It started with a small staff and limited resources. It was only in 1993 that the agency first notified the NEQS for motor vehicle exhaust emissions and municipal effluents. As the agency’s mandate grew, it was strengthened and boosted logistically to tackle the environmental challenges facing the country. Today, Pak-EPA also provides technical support to the Ministry of Environment.
In addition to PEPA, several other institutions play an important role. The Provincial Environmental Protection Agency oversees pollution charge payments by industrial units. Pollution charges are paid biannually and based on the amount of real production for the previous six months. The industrial unit must submit the receipt copy to the provincial EPA.
Projects
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) has a number of projects to protect the environment. These projects are a combination of public and private initiatives. They include a tannery pollution control project in Kaur, Korang, and Karachi, the development of a textile processing industrial estate in Faisalabad, and an environmental technology programme for industry.
However, residents have been voicing concerns about the project. The Pak-EPA has held public hearings and is expected to listen to their concerns before granting approval to the project. The public hearing will help the Pak-EPA understand the concerns of the public and make sure that the project meets environmental quality standards.
The country’s forests are a vital source of water. There are about 0.042 million square kilometers of state-owned forests in Pakistan. These are further divided into four types, including commercial and non-commercial. The commercial forests account for about 0.5 million m3 of timber production. The government has a goal of doubling the total area of forest in Pakistan.
The National Conservation Strategy of Pakistan includes the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste. To this end, the country has banned imports of hazardous waste. It has also launched a pollution release project for select industries in Punjab. This project includes collecting data from these industries, comparing it with National Environmental Quality Standards, and creating a data base. Once the data base is in place, a pollution charge will be imposed on industries that do not meet the standards.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency is working with the local communities to protect the natural resources of the country. These projects are also designed to involve the community and women. A total of Rs. 52.5 million has been allocated to this purpose. These projects are important for the survival of Pakistan’s biodiversity. It is important to invest in these initiatives to protect the environment and keep the population healthy.
While Pakistan has an environment protection agency, the country still needs to improve its environmental governance. Its National Conservation Strategy has attracted the support of international organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Wide Fund, and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute. The Rotary Club is another major group that has been assisting the country’s government in protecting the environment.
Funding
The National Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) is one of the key agencies in Pakistan. Its mandate is to combat environmental pollution and promote sustainable development. The agency has three main objectives: to educate the public about the effects of climate change, develop curriculum for environmental education, and promote sustainable urban policy planning.
The government recently signed an agreement with the World Bank to provide US $ 29.2 million for the EPA. This is the first phase of a long-term international donor support program. The project will strengthen the environmental protection agencies at the federal and provincial levels. The project also provides technical assistance and staff training for these agencies. Additionally, the project will create additional jobs at the Ministry and the Environmental Protection Agency. For a full list of activities and benefits of the loan, please see below.
The government has begun to implement eco-efficiency projects throughout the country. The Environmental Protection Agency plans to establish a documentation centre and library to support eco-efficiency programs. The centre will be open to educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and industry. The goal is to improve the environmental quality and health of the environment in Pakistan.
The agency has implemented a number of projects in the public and private sectors. These include the implementation of National Environmental Quality Standards for cement factories. Additionally, the agency plans to implement an action plan that involves imposing a pollution charge on companies that fail to comply with the standards. If the pollution charge is implemented, the agency will be able to track the effectiveness of the program and make changes accordingly.
Besides providing technical assistance for the agency, the government is also collaborating with local communities on conservation programs. This includes women, children, and researchers. It has allocated Rs. 52.5 million to help protect Pakistan’s biodiversity. Funding for the agency is essential for the agency to achieve its objectives.
Pakistan has an ongoing research project assessing water requirements for different species. The information gained will be useful in forest extension projects. The study was conducted in Quetta, Pakistan, in the river basins of the Kabul and Ravi rivers. These rivers supply water for agriculture, drinking, and industry. A study also found that unsustainable activities are being carried out on Rawal Lake, and recommended three projects in its catchment areas.
