Geographically, Pakistan can be divided into three regions: the lowlands along the Indus in the south and east, the arid plateau of Baluchistan in the southwest, and the mountains of the north. Pakistan 's mountainous north contains the second tallest peak on Earth, K2 (28,250 ft., 8611 m), and over 300 glaciers. Three great mountain ranges stretch across this part of the country: the Himalayas , the Karakorams and the Hindu Kush . The region's topography is constantly changing, as frequent earthquakes help the mountains grow at the remarkable rate of 7 mm (1/4 inch) a year.
Pakistan 's climate varies according to elevation. April through September are the most pleasant months in the mountains, although they bring oppressive heat to the low-lying plains of the Indus Valley , where midday temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius (100 degrees F). December through February are the coolest months, as lowland temperatures drop to between 10-25 degrees C (50-77 degrees F) and the air in the mountains falls below freezing. Monsoons reach the southern areas of the country in late summer, although precipitation is minimal in Baluchistan and in the north and limited in most of the interior.
The country's flora and fauna are composed of a blend of Palaearctic and Indomalayan elements, with some groups also containing forms from the Ethiopian region. Indomalayan forms are found in the east of the country, in the Indus Basin , and Palaearctic forms in the mountains of the north and west. The Palaearctic species contain a mixture of those common to a largepart of Eurasia, along with those with affinities to the Middle East, West Asia (Afghanistan and Iran), Central Asia, and Tibet.The rate of endemism is relatively low (5% for plants, 4% for mammals, 0% for birds, 10% for reptiles, and 11% for fish), but the blending of elements from different origins has ensured a diverse and unique mix of flora and fauna. Since a lot of primary field research still needs to be done, these statistics are likely to under represent the actual biodiversity of Pakistan .
Pakistan has 225 Protected Areas comprising 14 National Parks, 99 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 96 Game Reserves, and 16 unclassified (private, proposed or recommended). The total area covered by these categories is 9,170,121 ha which is 10.4% of the total land area (Biodiversity Action Plan for Pakistan, 1998). Based on their global significance, 9 wetlands have been designated as Ramsar sites.
Pakistan is basically an agricultural country and 25% of the nations GDP is provided by the agricultural sector.
Population and Development Trends:
Source:
UNDP Human Development Report,
2007/2008
Major Environmental Concerns
Air
Pollution in urban centers
Within the last 20 years the country's vehicular population showed an overall increase of more than 400% and the maximum growth has been seen in 2-stroke vehicles. Resent study has reveled that in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad the average suspended particulate matter were 6.4 times higher than the WHO standards.
Water
Pollution and Scarcity
Per capita water availability in the country has been decreasing at an alarming rate and now the value is 12000 cubic meters, which is nearing to the water scarcity level.
Industrial and domestic wastes are the major causes of water pollution.
Deforestation
and loss of Biodiversity
Recent studies has indicates the Pakistan 's woody biomass is declining at a rate of 4-6% per year and the principal causes are consumption of fuel wood and timber. It is feared that the country is experiencing the world's second highest rate of deforestation.
Land
degradation
96% of the arable soil has inadequate organic matter content resulting in low yields. The major causes of land degradation and low productivity in the country are water and wind erosion, water logging and salinity intrusion.
Chronology
of Major Events leading to Environment Protection & Sustainable
Development, during the last two decades. |
1983 |
Development of the Environment
Protection Ordinance |
1984 |
Establishment of the Pakistan
Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) under the Environment
Protection Ordinance |
1992 |
Development
of the Forestry Sector Master Plan for the period of 1993-2018
Adoption of the National Conservation Strategy |
1994 |
The establishment
of the Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural
Development
|
1997 |
Enactment of the Pakistan Environmental
Protection Act, which replaced the Environment Protection
Ordinance of 1983 |
2000 |
Mid term review of the NCS,
which recommended the development of NCS-2 for the period
of 2002-2012 |
There are two pieces of legislation enacted by the Pakistani government that are intended to provide an overriding legislative framework for environmental issues: the Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance 1983 and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997. These Acts are complimented by the implementation of various other Rules and Ordinances that provide a framework for dealing with the many complex environmental issues that confront Pakistan as a nation.
To administer these laws, the Government of Pakistan has established an institutional framework. For example, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agencies (PEPAs) have been established in all four of the nation's provinces to promote the overriding objectives of conservation, sustainable development and improve the decision making process. This role is particularly important in the context of increased development and industrial activity.
At the federal level the Ministry of Environment is the main institution that deals with issues relevant to the environment. It has divisions dedicated to the environment, urban development and wildlife and is responsible for the coordination of its derivative institutions, such as the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The PEPC formulates environmental legislation and the EPA is the agency charged with planning and implementation duties.
The Environment Protection Act, 1997 - provisions for protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, for the prevention and control of pollution and promote sustainable development.
