STAFF REPORT IBD: Pakistans major environmental issues confronting are ever-increasing degradation of natural resources such as air, water, soil, coastal waters, forests, agriculture and biodiversity. The status of environmental degradation in and around large population centers and industrial sites in Pakistan is alarming. Pakistan is paying very high price for environmental degradation.
Chairman SUPARCO, Major General Ahmed Bilal, said this while inaugurating a five-day short training on Understanding Natural Resources and Climate Change using Geospatial Techniques has recently concluded here at the Institute of Space and Technology.
Main purpose of the training was to provide hands on training in processing of satellite data using an integrated approach utilizing geospatial and ground based monitoring techniques to address climate change and environmental issues.
The training was attended by representatives from Islamic countries. Besides, resource persons belonging to ICIMOD, Nepal, Technical University Delft, The Netherlands, WWF Pakistan, COMSATS and faculty members from IST delivered lectures.
Rupees 365 billion per annum (Rs. 1 billion per day) is the figure estimated by the World Bank which is an excessive environmental damage in monetary terms for an underdeveloped country like Pakistan. To keep the current level of growth to be sustainable it will be necessary to protect the environment and adequately preserve the countrys natural resources.
Dr. Badar Ghauri, HOD Remote Sensing and Geo Informatics Science, while speaking on the occasion, said, “Pakistan due to its peculiar geographical circumstances is highly influenced by changes in climate thereby making it one of the most vulnerable countries in the country.”