By Adnan Rafique
ISLAMABAD—The government is fully committed to replace the mercury based technology into environment friendly technology in Pakistan as mercury is harmful chemical that has adverse impacts on human health particularly central nervous system, kidney and fetus.
“The ministry of environment is making all out efforts in this regard,” said Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi while inaugurating the Inception Workshop of National Stakeholders on “Management of Mercury and Mercury containing Waste Project in Pakistan” organized in collaboration with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
However, due to our technological constraints, it is not possible for us to address this gigantic challenge alone without the technical support and guidance from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other relevant international agencies. Keeping in view the urgency of the issue, there is also dire need to sensitize the people on the hazards of mercury.
The workshop has brought together the representatives of Environmental Protection Agencies, line ministries, researchers, academia, industries and NGOs, he said.
The minister said that the government is fully committed to contribute towards the global efforts for the conservation of environment to ensure sustained life on the Earth Planet for our existing and future generations. In this regard, Pakistan is a signatory to a number of international conventions and protocols on various environmental issues especially hazardous chemicals.
The Minister said that the declaration of 2009 as the National Year of Environment and successful execution of programmes and projects in accordance with a well planned calendar of activities speaks commitment of the government. The setting of the Guinness Book of World Record of planting maximum number of trees in 24 hours at Keti Bander in Thatta District this month is a pride for the entire nation.
This activity, on one hand, will achieve the national objective of increasing forest cover, and on the other hand, it will raise awareness among masses besides creating a soft image of the country in the world. Afridi said that there is a dire need to hold a series of awareness workshops and publish awareness material to sensitize the people on the hazards of mercury.
He urged upon the funding agencies to explore feasibility of the allocation of maximum funds for mass awareness on this toxic chemical. He expressed the hope that this workshop will make useful recommendations to formulate a comprehensive policy on the Mercury Waste Project in Pakistan. Earlier, Joint Secretary International Cooperation, Ministry of Environment, Abid Ali in his well come address said that mercury is a highly toxic chemical and used all over the world including Pakistan in many products and processes such as thermometers, electrical switches, lamps, dental amalgams, batteries, chlor-alkali plants and some pharmaceuticals.
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