Since childhood, we have read in Social Studies and other classes about how prosperous Pakistan is. Our abundance of resources, including minerals and other natural resources, is practically ingrained in our minds. Yet, we experience energy supply interruptions in the summer, winter, and between. The primary obstacles are the expansion of the network, rising demand, inefficiency, and political unrest. Provincial and federal organizations in Pakistan consume a disproportionate amount of energy without paying their reasonable share of the bills. Outside of unpaid bills, the biggest obstacle is how individuals use each resource.
Safeguarding the natural environment and preserving its resources for future generations is environmental conservation. Environmental preservation is essential in Pakistan to assure the well-being of the country’s people, economy, and natural resources. Pakistan is endowed with bountiful natural resources, but several environmental problems threaten these resources.
Climate Change
As greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increase in developing economies, the relationship between climate change and economic growth is a significant problem. Small and medium-sized enterprises account for 90 percent of economic growth in Pakistan, but only 7 percent of the credit is extended by the financial sector. For the leading manufacturing industries, the growth rate of 14.85% in the fiscal year 2021 represents a 16-year high. Pakistan is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change, which include rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, droughts, and heat waves. These modifications may substantially affect the nation’s agriculture, water resources, and energy production. The government’s new policies, which have stimulated development in industries such as textile, construction, food, tourism, and automotive, have a cumulative effect on the country’s economic growth.
Deforestation
Deforestation has resulted in soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and decreased water availability, impacting the livelihoods of millions who rely on natural resources for sustenance. Additionally, deforestation contributes to climate change by reducing the amount of carbon contained in trees and forests. Although afforestation is the apparent solution, several areas require immediate attention:
- Pakistan’s natural resource regulations must be reformed to promote sustainable management. Existing rules have thus far impeded forest and parkland management by government agencies.
- The monitoring and reporting infrastructure must be upgraded and expanded for a firm foundation for the scientific management of forest resources.
- Federal and provincial governments can collaborate on formulating and implementing forest policies if they can access a more comprehensive and efficient data system.
Water Conservation
Water conservation saves lives. Because water is necessary for existence, we must conserve it for future generations. Unfortunately, we consume and mistreat water in excess today. Everyone must understand that it is our primary responsibility to learn the issue’s significance and how simple it would be to act now before it is too late. People in Pakistan use water for industry, agriculture, the production of energy, and human consumption. Water scarcity may contribute to the food shortage. The Indus River is the largest in Pakistan, but poor water resource management is the primary cause of the water shortage. However, the river is experiencing increased pollution, decreased flow, altered weather patterns, and rising temperatures. Human interference is the sole cause of the lack of available drinkable water.
Gas Scarcity
A lack of natural gas harms Pakistan’s most important export industry, placing additional strain on an economy already struggling with accelerating inflation and a weakening currency. More than forty percent of the nation’s current energy composition comprises gas sources used in electricity production, natural gas, and imported LNG. In recent years, Pakistan’s gas demand has increased substantially without implementing an expansion plan that would have allowed the resource to be utilized efficiently. LNG’s operational and regulatory environment is deficient, and gas exploration and production have declined, resulting in a national shortage and increased supply costs. As in previous years, the government announced in October that this year would see the worst gas shortage in recorded history. Even though winter has not yet arrived in most of the country, severe power disruptions have already begun.
Measures to Resolve Environmental Challenges
- There is a need for coordinated efforts from all sectors of society to resolve these environmental challenges. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals must collaborate to promote environmental protection and sustainability.
- Education and awareness-raising programs are one method for promoting environmental conservation in Pakistan. These programs can increase public awareness of the significance of ecological preservation and encourage individuals and communities to implement sustainable practices.
- Another method is through the use of policies and laws. Governments can implement policies and regulations that promote sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and the conservation of natural resources.
There is a need for increased investment in research and innovation to develop environmentally sustainable solutions. For instance, solar and wind power can help reduce Pakistan’s reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change. Climate change, deforestation, and scarcity are environmental problems the nation confronts. To address these challenges, all sectors of society, including governments, NGOs, and individuals, must work in concert. Pakistan can promote environmental conservation and sustainability through education, policy and legislation, and innovation, ensuring a better future for future generations.
