Pollution Science 101 - Pakistan
Editor: Michael James Ross
Website: MonsantoInvestigation.com
Published January 27th, 2023
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Pollution Science 101 - India - Ecological Collapse
10/9/2017
PollutionScience101india.Blogspot.com
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Chapters
Section 1: Mountains & Glaciers
Section 2: Water
Section 3: Soil Erosion
Section 4: Heavy Metals
Section 5: Agriculture
Section 6: Deforestation & Endangered Animals
Section 7: Air Pollution
Section 8: Illegal Mining & Nuclear Waste
Section 9: Violence Crime & Corruption
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Section 1: Mountains & Glaciers
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Karakoram Range
Karakoram Range, Chinese (Pinyin) Karakorum Shan or (Wade-Giles romanization) K’a-la-k’un-lun Shan, great mountain system extending some 300 miles (500 km) from the easternmost extension of Afghanistan in a southeasterly direction along the watershed between Central and South Asia. Found there are the greatest concentration of high mountains in the world and the longest glaciers outside the high latitudes. The Karakorams are part of a complex of mountain ranges at the centre of Asia, including the Hindu Kush to the west, the Pamirs to the northwest, the Kunlun Mountains to the northeast, and the Himalayas to the southeast. The borders of Tajikistan, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India all converge within the Karakoram system, giving this remote region great geopolitical significance. The name “Kurra-koorrum,” a rendering of the Turkic term for “Black Rock” or “Black Mountain,” appeared in early 19th-century English writings.
Karakoram Range: K2 (Mount Godwin Austen)
https://www.britannica.com/place/Karakoram-Range
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From Savage Mountain to Tourist Peak: The Sad Decline of K2
02/09/2018
https://linode.explorersweb.com/2018/09/02/from-savage-mountain-to-tourist-peak-the-sad-decline-of-k2/
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Asia's Great Rivers: Climate crisis, pollution put billions at risk
10 Jan 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1832789/asias-great-rivers-climate-crisis-pollution-put-billions-at-risk
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[MUST WATCH] Top 10 Shocking Mountain Expeditions Ever Done In History !!!
Jan 17, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8dgkZiWgD8
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K2 Clean Up Expedition - Together we can rise clean shine
https://greenvalleytrekntours.com/projects/
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1986 K2 disaster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_K2_disaster
The
1986 K2 disaster refers to a period from 6 August to 10 August 1986,
when five mountaineers died on K2 in the Karakoram during a severe
storm. Eight other climbers were killed in the weeks preceding, bringing
the total number of deaths that climbing season to 13...
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1995 K2 disaster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_K2_disaster
The
1995 K2 disaster was a mountaineering disaster on K2 in Pakistan, the
world's second highest mountain. Six people are reported to have died on
August 13, 1995 on K2, largely related to bad weather, especially
reported high winds.[1] Scott Fischer was climbing Broad Peak at the
time, and suggested that a contributing factor was combination of brutal
cold and 160-kilometre-per-hour-plus (100 mph) winds...
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2008 K2 disaster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_K2_disaster
The
2008 K2 disaster occurred on 1 August 2008, when 11 mountaineers from
international expeditions died on K2, the second-highest mountain on
Earth. Three others were seriously injured. The series of deaths,
over the course of the Friday ascent and Saturday descent, was the worst
single accident in the history of K2 mountaineering. Some of the
specific details remain uncertain, with different plausible scenarios
having been given about different climbers' timing and actions, when
reported later via survivors' eyewitness accounts or via radio
communications of climbers who died (sometimes minutes) later in the
course of events on K2 that day.
The main problem was reported as
an ice avalanche occurring at an area known as "the Bottleneck", which
destroyed many of the climbers' rope lines. However, two climbers
died on the way up to the top prior to the avalanche. Among the dead
were people from France, Ireland, Korea, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, and
Serbia.
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2008 Tragedies on K2 · Fatal Altitude
Jul 23, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cCd9sNxjU4
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K2, The 2008 TRAGIC CLIMB.
Aug 10, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrHE97QYZAM
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K2 expedition 2008, Triumph & Tragedy
Jan 30, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaHr1_5ujoM
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The Death of K2 | The 2008 Disaster
May 23, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PABcE9_OaU4
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K2: 3 Bodies (Sadpara, Snorry, Mohr) Finally Found. Allen Killed by Avalanche.
Jul 26, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHvcF2x6tdY
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K2 Abruzzi Ridge Documentary
Jul 16, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzovtuGG0n8
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K2 Climbing the Savage Mountain
Feb 28, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juuWYBFAofo
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Breathtaking: K2 - The World's Most Dangerous Mountain | Eddie Bauer
Jun 1, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvFt2Xcuois
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K2 dead climbers found | John Snorri Ali Sadpara dead bodies found|Near k2 death zone Bottleneck
Jul 26, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX0WshG-w5I
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Helicopter Skiing in Pakistan's Karakoram Mountains| skiing at the killer Mountain K2 risk takers
Aug 3, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOQoz6-HhEA
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Mountaineering Gone Wrong | Barrard Expedition: First Female Summit of K2
Nov 13, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZA4w3jUvvM
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Avalanche Near Miss in the Karakoram - Shimshal - Pakistan
Jan 3, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKVMZv1aKPc
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These Nepalese climbers spent 47 days cleaning 2.2 tons of trash from Himalaya’s tallest peaks
April 2, 2021
Not even the world's tallest mountains are spared by our pollution.
https://www.zmescience.com/science/nepalese-climbers-clean-garbage-02042021/
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Nepali Army to Clean Trash on Everest, 5 Other Peaks
March 2, 2021
https://adventureblog.net/2021/03/nepali-army-to-clean-trash-on-everest-5-other-peaks.html
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Indian army to remove tons of Mount Everest trash
April 3, 2015
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/feat-mount-everest-trash-pickup-expedition/index.html
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List of mountains in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mountains_in_Pakistan
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What Happened on Broad Peak? Kim’s Fatal Fall.
Jul 22, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2thZVScBtT0
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The Trango Towers Disaster
2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4bu3h85ZRU
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Is This Nameless Tower The Most Demanding Rock Climb Above 5000m? w/ David Lama
Oct 11, 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3J-NAfrlI0
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Climbing the World's Highest Rock Wall - Trango Towers (20,623 ft) | Karakoram Mountain Range
Feb 13, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCF2BuVzFNo
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TRANGO TOWER, ETERNAL FLAME
Apr 18, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYjEHKVAmcI
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BASE Jump Trango Tower 1993
May 21, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfCFhKMoKVk
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Great Trango Tower - Inshallah
Dec 14, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0vesGaORRo
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Trango Pulpit 6050m, Norwegian expedition 1999, North face, TV2-dokumentar
Mar 7, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIyVmHUC8Kw
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Base Climb Trango Towers Documentary by Dr. Glenn Singleman - Part 1
Oct 26, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8H-VF2T6hw
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Base Climb Trango Towers Documentary by Dr. Glenn Singleman - Part 2
Oct 26, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jli-rIg9jVg
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Journey to Trango Tower ,Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
May 2, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY-p4B4HM28
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The Great Trango Tower Pakistan
Aug 9, 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMq79HI3iH8
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Trango - 1984
Jun 10, 2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9rPkIywOd8
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Cloudwalker - Jeff Lowe Died 24th August 2018
Nov 25, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHVCuBijiXA
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Jeff Lowe's Metanoia
Aug 25, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMvt0bpWj2U
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Jeff Lowe - The Most Important Climber Of Modern Times? | EpicTV Climbing Daily, Ep.498
May 21, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHves1xdtzE
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Tallest Base Jump - 1700m!!! [East Face, Meru Peak, 6600m]
May 1, 2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCIqogMsySs
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AZAZEL - Big wall aid-climbing in Pakistan
Feb 9, 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyvUbpnFYCE
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Big Wall & BASE-jump in Pakistan - AZAZEL
Jun 18, 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igz0eqV8R2w
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Muztagh Tower - Piolets d'Or 2013
Apr 12, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URV2OKyS-co
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7650m | Climbing The Chogolisa w/David Lama and Peter Ortner
Oct 4, 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-AZ9KZz0PM
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Visiting the World’s Most Daпgeгous Road: “Karakoram D℮ath Road” (There are casuaIti℮s!)
Aug 13, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FryCzL17YRs
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Pakistan: The Valley of the Immortals | Deadliest Journeys
Nov 16, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_rdKg5kLyY
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Utah hikers lost on Pakistan mountain
Oct 11, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARDOtysM0qw
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Baintha Brakk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baintha_Brakk
Baintha Brakk (Urdu: بائنتھا براک) or The Ogre is a steep, craggy mountain, 7,285 metres (23,901 ft) high, in the Panmah Muztagh, a subrange of the Karakoram mountain range. It is located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It is famous for being one of the hardest peaks in the world to climb: twenty-four years elapsed between the first ascent in 1977 and the second in 2001.
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The Baintha Brakk (The Ogre) Disasters
2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rstNqnkPJwk
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Baintha Brakk - The Ogre - Piolets d'Or 2013
Apr 12, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTgDixpeSX0
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Hayden Kennedy, Kyle Dempster, The Ogre, New Route, South Face - Piolets d'Or 2013 Winners
Apr 5, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj9jXfeAjKE
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Ogre I and Ogre II Mountains
Oct 21, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9qb41HW-FU
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High altitude trekking in Pakistan - the Hispar La traverse Part I
Nov 11, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdDrTuCrWIE
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High altitude trekking in Pakistan - the Hispar La traverse Part II - in the Ogre's shadow
Nov 18, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A2XKAjio4U
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Expedition Baintha Brakk IV - Pakistan 2018
May 11, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPAbQcMd_fM
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The Ogre - pitch #6
Oct 12, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5tmeDKPsfE
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Baintha Brakk (Pakistan) Aerial Flyover
Apr 9, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_14WEFkiPG4
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Climbers Missing on Baintha Brakk II (6980m); Search and Rescue Mission Underway
August 31, 2016
http://altitudepakistan.blogspot.com/2016/08/american-climbers-missing-on-baintha.html
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Doug Scott on Surviving Everest and The Ogre
Jul 23, 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCL83Ox3DAs
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SURVIVAL Story About Two Climbers On HARD Mountain.
Sep 13, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9feBRw-WKlM
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Utah hikers lost on Pakistan mountain
Oct 11, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARDOtysM0qw
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Visiting the World’s Most Daпgeгous Road: “Karakoram D℮ath Road” (There are casuaIti℮s!)
Aug 13, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FryCzL17YRs
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The Latok North Ridge Mountain Climbing HORROR
Oct 17, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3XiG-_ZPSo
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The 2018 Nanga Parbat Disaster
Aug 28, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmXNlrkTKYk
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THE HUGE WALLS OF NANGA PARBAT.
Jan 30, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3xRfRtY1NQ
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The Nanga Parbat Base Camp Crisis
Feb 15, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn9tz2vfpvg
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The Death Zone | Nanga Parbat 1934 Expedition
Nov 5, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32j6EqYy9Wc
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Nanga Parbat - 1953 - Herman Buhl
May 7, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk1-7S-Nya4
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Mummery Spur, The "Suicide Way" On NANGA PARBAT.
Aug 20, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqxkAQCtXmI
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Nanga Parbat 1970 - Reinold Messner
Dec 31, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upx9zaiAgUc
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MESSNER · Worlds Greatest Mountaineer
Jul 9, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBTKM7ByCVs
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NANGA PARBAT, The Tragedy Of Reinhold Messner's Brother.
Jul 29, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWbdk7IrJLQ
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Nanga Parbat, Daniele Nardi & Elisabeth Revol, hiver 2013.
Nov 21, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuStyS5335c
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Nanga Parbat Naked Mountain
Feb 3, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcKDM03JLkU
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Glacier changes on the Nanga Parbat 1856-2020: A multi-source retrospective analysis
2021 Apr 24
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33933774/
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Recent Fluctuations of Rakhiot Glacier, Nanga Parbat, Punjab Himalaya, Pakistan
20 January 2017
Abstract
A 1985 survey at Rakhiot Glacier, Nanga Parbat, Punjab Himalaya, indicates that the glacier terminus is advanced about 200 m from its 1954 position. Between 1930 and 1954, the dates of previous surveys, the glacier terminus had thinned and back-wasted 450 m. The recession prior to the 1960s, followed by advance into the 1970s and perhaps 1980s, parallels patterns of glacier fluctuation found in the adjacent western and central Karakorum.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/recent-fluctuations-of-rakhiot-glacier-nanga-parbat-punjab-himalaya-pakistan/D492929D696193D892A043D5CF1CCF82
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Fluctuations of Raikot Glacier during the past 70 years: a case study from the Nanga Parbat massif, northern Pakistan
08 September 2017
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/fluctuations-of-raikot-glacier-during-the-past-70-years-a-case-study-from-the-nanga-parbat-massif-northern-pakistan/502A3526C257785AEF2B0B49FDEE9578
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Debris-Covered Glaciers and Rock Glaciers in the Nanga Parbat Himalaya, Pakistan
2000
https://www.jstor.org/stable/521438
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Nanga Parbat, Pakistan
July 9, 2006
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/6726/nanga-parbat-pakistan
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Nanga Parbat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanga_Parbat
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Assessing glacier changes in the Nanga Parbat region using a multitemporal photographic dataset
May 2021
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351996892_Assessing_glacier_changes_in_the_Nanga_Parbat_region_using_a_multitemporal_photographic_dataset
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Glacier changes on the Nanga Parbat 1856-2020: A multi-source retrospective analysis
2021 Apr 24
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33933774/
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The CONFESSION Behind Climbing's Greatest Hoax
Dec 26, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Qn8BjGnvk
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The Nastiest Mountain Climbing HORROR
2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShdNl0IN8hU
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List of deaths on eight-thousanders
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deaths_on_eight-thousanders
The
eight-thousanders are the 14 mountains that rise more than 8,000 metres
(26,247 ft) above sea level; they are all in the Himalayan and
Karakoram mountain ranges.
This is a list of mountaineers who have died on these mountains.
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A surge of North Gasherbrum Glacier, Karakoram, China
08 September 2017
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/surge-of-north-gasherbrum-glacier-karakoram-china/91E33E6240FAFCAE7A13E8FAA65D0596
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Gasherbrum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasherbrum
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Assessment of heavy metal toxicants in the roadside soil along the N-5, National Highway, Pakistan
2011
Abstract
The assessment of the toxicants in roadside soil on regular basis has
become extremely essential with the increase in awareness for the metal
toxicity in the environment. The present study investigates the presence
of toxic metals along National Highway (N-5), Pakistan. Averages of
about 1.3 million per month of automobile vehicles ply on this route.
Lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), cobalt
(Co), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), and iron (Fe) were analyzed by
atomic absorption spectrophotometry in roadside soil at the nine
selected locations along the highway. Strong Pearson correlations (α =
0.05) were found between Pb and Zn (r(2) = 0.887), Fe and Mn (r(2) =
0.880), Hg and Cd (0.864), Cu and Zn (0.838), and Cu and Pb (0.814). The
correlation between the elemental compositions of the main automobile
components revealed vehicular traffic as the main non-point source of
roadside soil pollution. Extremely high level of mercury, 144.05 mg
kg(-1), was found at S5. It was revealed that the unregulated
incineration and dumping sites of hazardous waste material along N-5
were also responsible for these contaminations. Multivariate analysis on
the obtained data also disclosed the same interpretation. Cluster
analysis of the data grouped Pb, Zn, and Cu at 85.23% similarity,
whereas, Cd, Hg, and Ni were grouped at 78.75% similarity basis. The
findings need swift action against the root cause of soil pollution.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21336485/
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Metamorphic, magmatic, and tectonic evolution of the central Karakoram in the Biafo-Baltoro-Hushe regions of northern Pakistan
January 01, 1989
https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/books/book/371/chapter/3796891/Metamorphic-magmatic-and-tectonic-evolution-of-the
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Assessment of glacier status and its controlling parameters from 1990 to 2018 of Hunza Basin, Western Karakorum
July 5, 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-15154-0
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Pollution at Karakoram | Pakistan’s Glaciers Melt Fast
2017
https://www.holidayweekly.pk/2017/11/13/pollution-karakoram-pakistans-glaciers-melt-fast/
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Black carbon aerosols on Himalayan glaciers could speed up melting: Scientists
FEB 23, 2021
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/dehradun-news/black-carbon-aerosols-on-himalayan-glaciers-could-speed-up-melting-scientists-101614080258146.html
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Pakistan’s glaciers face new threat: Highway’s black carbon
November 3, 2017
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-glaciers-highway-idUSKBN1D30WK
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BLACK CARBON IN GLACIER
03, Feb 2020
https://iasgatewayy.com/black-carbon-in-glacier/
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Black carbon and organic carbon dataset over the Third Pole
17 Feb 2022
Abstract
The Tibetan Plateau and its surroundings, also known as
the Third Pole, play an important role in the global and regional climate
and hydrological cycle. Carbonaceous aerosols (CAs), including black carbon
(BC) and organic carbon (OC), can directly or indirectly absorb and scatter
solar radiation and change the energy balance on the Earth. CAs, along with the
other atmospheric pollutants (e.g., mercury), can be frequently transported
over long distances into the inland Tibetan Plateau. During the last decades,
a coordinated monitoring network and research program named “Atmospheric
Pollution and Cryospheric Changes” (APCC) has been gradually set up and
continuously operated within the Third Pole regions to investigate the
linkage between atmospheric pollutants and cryospheric changes. This paper
presents a systematic dataset of BC, OC, water-soluble organic carbon
(WSOC), and water-insoluble organic carbon (WIOC) from aerosols (20
stations), glaciers (17 glaciers, including samples from surface snow and ice,
snow pits, and 2 ice cores), snow cover (2 stations continuously observed and
138 locations surveyed once), precipitation (6 stations), and lake sediment
cores (7 lakes) collected across the Third Pole, based on the APCC program.
These data were created based on online (in situ) and laboratory
measurements. High-resolution (daily scale) atmospheric-equivalent BC
concentrations were obtained by using an Aethalometer (AE-33) in the Mt.
Everest (Qomolangma) region, which can provide new insight into the
mechanism of BC transportation over the Himalayas. Spatial distributions of
BC, OC, WSOC, and WIOC from aerosols, glaciers, snow cover, and precipitation
indicated different features among the different regions of the Third Pole,
which were mostly influenced by emission sources, transport pathways, and
deposition processes. Historical records of BC from ice cores and lake
sediment cores revealed the strength of the impacts of human activity since the
Industrial Revolution. BC isotopes from glaciers and aerosols identified the
relative contributions of biomass and fossil fuel combustion to BC
deposition on the Third Pole. Mass absorption cross sections of BC and WSOC
from aerosol, glaciers, snow cover, and precipitation samples were also
provided. This updated dataset is released to the scientific communities
focusing on atmospheric science, cryospheric science, hydrology, climatology,
and environmental science. The related datasets are presented in the form of
excel files. BC and OC datasets over the Third Pole are available to download from the National Cryosphere Desert Data Center (https://doi.org/10.12072/ncdc.NIEER.db0114.2021; Kang and Zhang, 2021).
https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/14/683/2022/index.html
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Black carbon deposits melting glaciers in HKHK region spread over five South Asian nations and China
Jun 07, 2021
Adverse impacts of climate change are being aggravated by black carbon deposits coming from industries, vehicles, and cooking practices thereby accelerating the melting of glaciers in the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Karakorum (HKHK) ranges spread across six nations including five in South Asia, says a new World Bank report
https://www.southasiamonitor.org/region/black-carbon-deposits-melting-glaciers-hkhk-region-spread-over-five-south-asian-nations-and
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A 10 yr record of black carbon and dust from Mera Peak ice core (Nepal): variability and potential impact on Himalayan glacier melting
2013
https://tc.copernicus.org/preprints/7/6001/2013/tcd-7-6001-2013.pdf
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Kashmir has highest black carbon concentration
Jul 20, 2015
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/kashmir-has-highest-black-carbon-concentration-109211
SRINAGAR: The lush green forests and snow-clad peaks of Kashmir might given an impression that the Valley is free from pollution, but the experts point out that Kashmir has three times more black carbon in the atmosphere than neighbouring states.
The lush green forests and snow-clad peaks of Kashmir might given an impression that the Valley is free from pollution, but the experts point out that Kashmir has three times more black carbon in the atmosphere than neighbouring states.
As a consequence, the presence of high concentration of black carbon is being cited as a major reason for the melting and shrinking of glaciers in the region, 20 percent which have vanished in the last six decades.
“The glaciers in the region are melting at a faster pace than the other glaciers in the rest of the Indian Himalayas. We are studying this but so far we have found that black carbon levels are three times more than the atmosphere in other neighbouring states,” said Shakil Romshoo, head of department of earth sciences, Kashmir University.
Black carbon is made up of ultrafine particles produced by the inefficient combustion of all kinds of fuels, from wood to diesel to kerosene, producing a dark soot, which is incredibly efficient at absorbing light and turning it into heat. It is precisely this property of black carbon to absorb heat that makes it the second biggest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide.
The Earth Sciences Department of the University of Kashmir is studying 30 glaciers in Jammu and Kashmir of the total 110 glaciers in the region. The study has found that two or three glaciers have completely loss and all others have shrunk.
Romshoo said a study had found that black carbon and particulate matter in 40 places in Kashmir had almost three times more black carbon than its neighbouring states. “In our study we found that Uttarakhand has 500 nanograms of black carbon per square metre while we have nearly 1,600,” he said.
He said there was a possibility that of some of the black carbon was flying from neighbouring states or even Pakistan or China. Romshoo said they were finding and investigating the causes using scientific instrumentation.
“Due to the high black carbon the melting of glaciers is a real worry for scientists,” Romshoo said. “Over the last 50 years, two mountain ranges, Shamasbari and Pir Panchal, have lost all their glaciers,” he added.
He said the Pir Panchal range had been receiving 7.4 metres snow from November 1 to April 30, but despite the heavy snowfall, there was not a single glacier left. “We are left with a handful of glaciers around Sindh and Lidder basin and they too are shrinking,” he said.
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A comparison of carbon black with soot
1983
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6197752/
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The polluted glaciers
March 29, 2020
With the economic and developmental activities accelerating at a fast pace, there has been a corresponding increase in human activities. While figures of a few lakhs of tourists and pilgrims are quoted, we often tend to overlook the related increase in vehicular traffic and particularly those of diesel vehicles. Since time immemorial, Ganga and Gangotri have been sacred to multitudes of our countrymen and hence the sensitivity about any regulatory measures in understandable. But ultimately these will have to be balanced.
https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/the-polluted-glaciers-1502871254.html
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Retreat of the Gangotri Glacier (Debated Information)
June 23, 2004
https://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/4594/retreat-of-the-gangotri-glacier
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High levels of black carbon in glaciers, warn scientists
February 3, 2020
Black carbon absorbs light and heat which causes an increase in temperature, causing glaciers to melt faster.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/feb/03/high-levels-of-black-carbon-in-glaciers-warn-scientists-2098214.html
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Carbon released from glaciers could alter ecosystems
10.06.15
As the climate warms, glaciers and other terrestrial ice reservoirs will release massive amounts of organic carbon into the water circulation. Just how much and how quickly it will be released is the focus of a recent Nature Geoscience publication.
https://actu.epfl.ch/news/carbon-released-from-glaciers-could-alter-ecosy-31/
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Pakistan’s glaciers face new threat: Highway’s black carbon
November 3, 2017
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-glaciers-highway-idUSKBN1D30WK
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Black Carbon Aerosols Affecting Rainfall Over Northeast India: Scientists
27 Jun 2022
https://www.thequint.com/climate-change/scientists-unpack-the-influence-of-black-carbon-aerosols-on-rainfall-in-northeast-india
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Origin and radiative forcing of black carbon transported to the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau
2011
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/48610
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Measurement of Atmospheric Black Carbon Concentration in Rural and Urban Environments: Cases of Lamto and Abidjan
2021
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=113122
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Short-term association between black carbon exposure and cardiovascular diseases in Pakistan’s largest megacity
October 2018
https://ecommons.aku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1685&context=pakistan_fhs_mc_chs_chs
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High concentration of black carbon in northern Pakistan: Characteristics, source apportionment and emission source regions
2022
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231022005404
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To Slow Himalayan Glacier Melt, Curbing Air Pollution is Key
June 4, 2021
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2021/06/04/to-slow-himalayan-glacier-melt-curbing-air-pollution-is-key/
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Receding glaciers in Pakistan
April 9, 2014
Glaciers that feed the Indus river in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains are melting faster than previously thought, according to new field research.
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/receding-glaciers-in-pakistan/
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Pakistan's glaciers melting faster than rest of the world
July 06, 2015
Pakistan is listed among countries highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change
https://tribune.com.pk/story/915700/pakistans-glaciers-melting-faster-than-rest-of-the-world
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The Karakoram Anomaly? Glacier Expansion and the ‘Elevation Effect,’ Karakoram Himalaya
1 November 2005
https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-25/issue-4/0276-4741(2005)025%5b0332%3aTKAGEA%5d2.0.CO%3b2/The-Karakoram-Anomaly-Glacier-Expansion-and-the-Elevation-Effect-Karakoram/10.1659/0276-4741(2005)025%5B0332:TKAGEA%5D2.0.CO;2.full
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Three different glacier surges at a spot: what satellites observe and what not
24 Jun 2022
Abstract
In the Karakoram, dozens of glacier surges occurred in the past 2
decades,
making the region a global hotspot. Detailed analyses of dense
time series from optical and radar satellite images revealed a wide
range of
surge behaviour in this region: from slow advances longer than a decade
at
low flow velocities to short, pulse-like advances over 1 or 2 years with
high velocities. In this study, we present an analysis of three
currently
surging glaciers in the central Karakoram: North and South Chongtar
Glaciers
and an unnamed glacier referred to as NN9. All three glaciers flow
towards
the same small region but differ strongly in surge behaviour. A full
suite
of satellites (e.g. Landsat, Sentinel-1 and 2, Planet, TerraSAR-X,
ICESat-2)
and digital elevation models (DEMs) from different sources (e.g.
Shuttle Radar Topography
Mission, SRTM; Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre, SPOT; High
Mountain Asia DEM, HMA DEM) are used to (a) obtain comprehensive
information about the
evolution of the surges from 2000 to 2021 and (b) to compare and
evaluate
capabilities and limitations of the different satellite sensors for
monitoring surges of relatively small glaciers in steep terrain. A
strongly
contrasting evolution of advance rates and flow velocities is found,
though
the elevation change pattern is more similar. For example, South
Chongtar
Glacier had short-lived advance rates above 10 km yr−1, velocities up to
30 m d−1, and surface elevations increasing by 170 m. In contrast, the
neighbouring and 3-times-smaller North Chongtar Glacier had a slow and
near-linear increase in advance rates (up to 500 m yr−1), flow
velocities below 1 m d−1 and elevation increases up to 100 m. The even
smaller glacier NN9 changed from a slow advance to a full surge within a
year, reaching advance rates higher than 1 km yr−1. It seems that,
despite a similar climatic setting, different surge mechanisms are at play,
and a transition from one mechanism to another can occur during a single
surge. The sensor inter-comparison revealed a high agreement across sensors
for deriving flow velocities, but limitations are found on small and narrow
glaciers in steep terrain, in particular for Sentinel-1. All investigated
DEMs have the required accuracy to clearly show the volume changes during
the surges, and elevations from ICESat-2 ATL03 data fit neatly to the other
DEMs. We conclude that the available satellite data allow for a
comprehensive observation of glacier surges from space when combining
different sensors to determine the temporal evolution of length, elevation
and velocity changes.
https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/16/2505/2022/index.html
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Karakoram Anomaly: Scientists solve the curious case of Himalayan glaciers resisting global warming
18 Jul 2022
Himalayan glaciers are fast receding under the impacts of global warming. However, the glaciers of central Karakoram have surprisingly remained unchanged or slightly increased in the last few decades. A recent study has postulated a new theory to explain this defiance in certain pockets.
https://www.ifp.co.in/science/karakoram-anomaly-scientists-solve-the-curious-case-of-himalayan-glaciers-resisting-global-warming
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Animating the “Karakoram Anomaly”
2016
Watching the movement of a glacier with an untrained human eye can be like watching paint dry. You know it is happening, but the pace is tedious and slow. Glaciologist Frank Paul of the University of Zurich found a way to speed up the action, and the results are compelling.
Scientists typically measure the motion of glaciers with ground-based GPS measurements or via image-based feature tracking; that is, photographing the movement of surface debris relative to a certain fixed point. While these measurements are reliable, they make it hard to truly grasp the extent and dynamics of ice in motion
Capitalizing on the long, freely accessible data record from the Landsat series of satellites, Paul decided to create animations that would enable scientists and laymen to witness the complex flow of glaciers. He focused on four regions in the Karakoram mountain range of central Asia, a steep landscape of high terrain (peaks taller than 7,000 meter or 23,000 feet in some places), including behemoths such as K2. He published his results in November 2015 in The Cryosphere.
The animation above shows the movement of ice and debris near Panmah Glacier in Pakistan, near Central Karakoram National Park. The 17 false-color images were captured between August 1990 and July 2015 by the Thematic Mapper on Landsat 5, the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus on Landsat 7, and the Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8. There is roughly one image per year except between 2003 and 2011, when various satellite issues and coverage gaps interrupted the record.
Unlike most other glaciers around the world, several glaciers in the Karakorams are rapidly advancing. The glaciers alternate between long periods of slow motion and shorter periods when velocities increase by as much as a thousand times their normal speed. The accreting behavior of the region’s glaciers has been labeled the “Karakoram Anomaly.”
Pick out a few features in the animation above and watch the changes. (Small white arrows mark a few of them.) Some ice and debris make significant advances over 25 years; other patches hardly move. This is the peculiar flow of surging glaciers and the regular flow of non-surging glaciers. Lakes appear and disappear atop the ice, terminuses advance, rivers of ice coalesce then separate, and all the while glacial debris dances and swirls.
Paul created these animations to show how dynamic and complex the interactions between glaciers can be, especially in the understudied Karakoram region. This non-quantitative approach has provided insights to how the tributary streams interact with major glaciers. For instance, Paul’s image analysis enabled him to document for the first time the rapid advance of four small, surging glaciers south of the larger Baltoro glacier. (See that area in one of the large file downloads below the image at the top of this page).
To create his time series, Paul combed through 25 years of 30-meter resolution Landsat imagery and data. He selected images where snow cover did not obscure the glacier boundaries; most of the time, the best images come from the end of summer. “This research was only possible thanks to the free and open Landsat data policy,” Paul said. “Landsat is key to a wide range of applications that support global glacier monitoring and elucidate the impacts of global climate change.” With the images, glaciologists can map glacier extents, trace area and length of glacier changes through time, derive surface velocity, map snowlines, and calculate albedo for mass and energy balance calculations.
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/87280/animating-the-karakoram-anomaly
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Assessing the Karakoram Anomaly from long-term trends in earth observation and climate data
2022
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352938522001604
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The Karakoram Anomaly? Glacier Expansion and the ‘Elevation Effect,’ Karakoram Himalaya
1 November 2005
https://bioone.org/journals/mountain-research-and-development/volume-25/issue-4/0276-4741_2005_025_0332_TKAGEA_2.0.CO_2/The-Karakoram-Anomaly-Glacier-Expansion-and-the-Elevation-Effect-Karakoram/10.1659/0276-4741(2005)025[0332:TKAGEA]2.0.CO;2.full
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The eastern limit of ‘Kunlun-Pamir-Karakoram Anomaly’ reflected by changes in glacier area and surface elevation
19 May 2022
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/eastern-limit-of-kunlunpamirkarakoram-anomaly-reflected-by-changes-in-glacier-area-and-surface-elevation/3D8B859ADB96A6758EFA2A7887BABDB2
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Interannual modulation of seasonal glacial velocity variations in the Eastern Karakoram detected by ALOS-1/2 data
11 May 2018
Abstract
Unlike in most other regions, Karakoram glaciers are either stable or
advancing, a phenomenon known as the Karakoram anomaly. Despite studies
of glacier surges and the derivation of surface velocity maps, the
spatiotemporal variability of glacier dynamics still remains poorly
understood, particularly in the Eastern Karakoram Range. We use Advanced
Land Observing Satellite/the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic
Aperture Radar (ALOS/PALSAR)-1/2 data from 2007 to 2011 and 2014 to 2015
to examine detailed surface velocity patterns of the Siachen, Baltoro,
Kundos, Singkhu and Gasherbrum Glaciers. The first three glaciers show
considerable velocity variability (20–350 m a−1),
with clear seasonal patterns. Although all glaciers, except for
Baltoro, flow slowest in 2015, the velocity structures are individual
and vary in space and time. In Gasherbrum Glacier, peak surge-phase
velocities are seasonally modulated, with maxima in summers 2006 and
2007, suggesting surface melt plays an important role in maintaining the
active phase. Given the relatively close proximity of these glaciers,
we assume that surface melt timing and rates are comparable. We
therefore argue that the observed spatiotemporal and interannual
velocity patterns are determined by local and internal mechanisms,
including englacial and subglacial hydrology, thermal processes and
tributary configuration of each individual glacier.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/interannual-modulation-of-seasonal-glacial-velocity-variations-in-the-eastern-karakoram-detected-by-alos12-data/C474AC55A195408CC798500932160B33
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The Karakoram Anomaly: Is it real?
FEBRUARY 24, 2014
https://nsidc.org/learn/ask-scientist/karakoram-anomaly-it-real
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Exploring Earth From Space: Batura Glacier and the “Karakoram Anomaly”
February 5, 2022
https://scitechdaily.com/exploring-earth-from-space-batura-glacier-and-the-karakoram-anomaly/
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Manifestations and mechanisms of the Karakoram glacier Anomaly
06 January 2020
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-019-0513-5/
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Observational evidence of Karakoram anomaly
March 5, 2020
https://phys.org/news/2020-03-evidence-karakoram-anomaly.html
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Decoding the Karakoram Anomaly
2021 May 20
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34134396/
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Researchers resolve the Karakoram glacier anomaly, a cold case of climate science
Oct. 22, 2014
https://www.princeton.edu/news/2014/10/22/researchers-resolve-karakoram-glacier-anomaly-cold-case-climate-science
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Snowpack Changes in the Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalaya from CMIP5 Global Climate Models
Dec 1, 2014
https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/hydr/15/6/jhm-d-13-0196_1.xml
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Researchers crack the 'Karakoram anomaly': Why glaciers near K2 are growing in size
August 7, 2017
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170807112835.htm
Publishing their findings today in Nature Climate Change, the team from Newcastle University, UK, have identified a large scale circulation system -- or vortex -- centred over the Karakoram, a large mountain range spanning the borders of Pakistan, India, and China.
In winter, the vortex affects the temperature over the whole 2,000 kilometre mountain range, but in the summer the vortex contracts and has an effect only over the Karakoram and western Pamir.
This induces an anomalous cooling in summer which is different to the warming seen over the rest of the Himalaya.
Co-author Professor Hayley Fowler, says this Karakoram vortex goes some way to explaining why the glaciers in this region are behaving differently to those in most other parts of the world.
"While most glaciers are retreating as a result of global warming, the glaciers of the Karakoram range in South Asia are stable or even growing," explains Professor Fowler, Professor of Climate Change Impacts at Newcastle University.
"Most climate models suggest warming over the whole region in summer as well as in winter.
"However, our study has shown that large-scale circulation is controlling regional variability in atmospheric temperatures, with recent cooling of summer temperatures. This suggests that climate models do not reproduce this feature well.
"We don't know how climate change will affect this circulation system and what the effect of sudden shifts might be.
"But the circulation system is currently providing a dampening effect on global warming, reducing glacial melt in the Karakoram region and any change will have a significant effect on ice melt rates, which would ultimately affect river flows in the region."
The Karakoram anomaly
Usually, glaciers oscillate between growth and retreat.
Snow falls on the peaks and gradually compacts and turns to ice while lower down the glaciers lose ice to melting and evaporation.
If snowfall equals snowmelt, the glacier is in equilibrium but global warming has tipped the balance so that most of the world's glaciers are shrinking.
The Karakoram anomaly was first described in 2005 and since then, scientists have been trying to determine what might be causing the expansion of glaciers in the region -- which includes the world's second largest mountain K2.
Acting like a counter-weighted temperature control, the unique summer interaction of the Karakoram vortex and the South Asian Monsoon causes temperatures in the Karakoram and Pamir to cool while those in the Central and Eastern Himalaya are warming, and vice versa.
Over recent decades, these vortex-monsoon interactions have resulted in stormier conditions over the Karakoram.
"This vortex provides an important temperature control," explains Newcastle University's Dr Nathan Forsythe, lead author of the study.
"It is therefore important to look at how it has changed and influenced temperature over the last century so we can better understand how a change in the system might affect future climate.
"This is of huge importance in terms of food security because of the large populations that rely on water resources from snow and ice melt from the mountainous catchments to grow their irrigated crops in the Indus Plains of the Sindh and Punjab states and provinces of Pakistan and India."
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Karakoram Glacier 'Cold Case' Finally Solved
Oct 22, 2014
https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/9792/20141022/karakoram-glacier-anomaly-finally-solved.htm
The Karakoram glacier anomaly, known as the "cold case" of the climate science world, has finally been solved.
While other glaciers have melted in the face of global warming and climate change, glaciers in the Karakoram mountains, a range within the Himalayas, have remained stable and even increased in size. This inexplicable phenomenon has puzzled scientists for years, but researchers from Princeton University have finally found the answer, and reported their explanation in the journal Nature Geoscience.
The key lies in a unique seasonal pattern that keeps the mountain range relatively cold and dry during the summer. While other Himalayan ranges and the Tibetan Plateau get most of their precipitation from Southeast Asia's summer monsoons, Karakoram's comes from Central Asia's cold winter winds. The Himalayan range blocks the warmer air from the southeast throughout the year. This explains why other glaciers nearby - and worldwide - have increasingly receded as Earth's climate has warmed while Karakoram stays strong and sturdy.
"Our work is an important piece to understanding the Karakoram anomaly," first author Sarah Kapnick said in a statement. "But that balance of what's coming off the glacier versus what's coming in also matters for understanding how the glacier will change in the future."
According to the study, snowfall, which is critical to maintaining glacier mass, will remain stable and even increase in magnitude at elevations above 4,500 meters (14,764 feet) in the Karakoram through at least 2100. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the rest of the Himalayas and Tibet, where snowfall will decline due to climate change.
Not only is this good news for the Karakoram glacier, but it's also good for the hundreds of millions of people that depend on it for water. Himalayan glaciers provide freshwater to a densely populated area that includes China, Pakistan and India, and are the source of the Ganges and Indus rivers, two of the world's major waterways.
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Some Of The World’s Largest Non-Polar Glaciers Are Expanding, Despite Global Warming
Aug 14, 2017
https://climatechangedispatch.com/some-of-the-worlds-largest-non-polar-glaciers-are-expanding-despite-global-warming/
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NASA finds Asian glaciers slowed by ice loss
December 13, 2018
https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2835/nasa-finds-asian-glaciers-slowed-by-ice-loss/
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Himalayan mountains defy erosion & continue to rise
Jun 19, 2018
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/himalayan-mountains-defy-erosion-continue-to-rise/articleshow/64639795.cms
____________
How Tall Can Mountains Be?
Mar 30, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIWhzYq16Ro
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SURGING GLACIERS IN KARAKORAM RANGE
09, May 2020
https://iasgatewayy.com/surging-glaciers-in-karakoram-range/
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Timely warnings avert loss of life from surging glacier in Pakistan
June 10, 2022
Floods rage through the Hunza valley every year from an unstable lake below the Shishper glacier, but an early warning system gives people time to evacuate
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/timely-warnings-avert-loss-of-life-shishper-glacier-pakistan/
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Photos: Concerns as Pakistan glaciers melt
14 Jul 2022
The South Asian country is home to more than 7,000 glaciers, but rising global temperatures are causing them to melt rapidly.
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2022/7/14/photos-concerns-as-pakistan-glaciers-melt
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‘Vast’ mass of microbes being released by melting glaciers
17 Nov 2022
Bacteria can fertilise ecosystems but need to be studied closely to identify potential pathogens, scientists say
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/17/microbes-melting-glaciers-bacteria-ecosystems
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Monitoring of snow surface temperature in North-West Himalaya using passive microwave satellite data
2016
http://14.139.47.50/bitstream/123456789/34251/1/IJRSP%2045%281%29%2020-29.pdf
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Annual 30 m dataset for glacial lakes in High Mountain Asia from 2008 to 2017
2021
https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/13/741/2021/index.html
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Spatially and temporally resolved ice loss in High Mountain Asia and the Gulf of Alaska observed by CryoSat-2 swath altimetry between 2010 and 2019
14 Apr 2021
https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/15/1845/2021/index.html
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Scaling methods of leakage correction in GRACE mass change estimates revisited for the complex hydro-climatic setting of the Indus Basin
12 Sep 2022
https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/26/4515/2022/index.html
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UT Researchers Accidentally Discover Tool to Examine Melting Glaciers
August 13, 2015
https://www.kut.org/energy-environment/2015-08-13/ut-researchers-accidentally-discover-tool-to-examine-melting-glaciers
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A New Method for Tracking Glacial Melt
October 22, 2015
https://www.jsg.utexas.edu/news/2015/10/a-new-method-for-tracking-glacial-melt/
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Geotextiles could slow glacial melt, but at what cost?
April 15, 2021
https://phys.org/news/2021-04-geotextiles-glacial.html
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As Himalayan Glaciers Melt, a Water Crisis Looms in South Asia
October 3, 2022
Warmer air is thinning most of the vast mountain range’s glaciers, known as the Third Pole because they contain so much ice. The melting could have far-reaching consequences for flood risk and for water security for a billion people who rely on meltwater for their survival.
https://e360.yale.edu/features/himalayas-glaciers-climate-change
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Himalayan glaciers are wasting away, threatening mountain communities
May 14, 2018
Himalayan glaciers have been retreating, shrinking and losing mass, since the 1960s consistent with rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation.
In contrast, glaciers in the northwest region of Karakoram have shown stable mass balances since the 1970s, likely due to cooler summer temperatures, increased snowfall, and a lower sensitivity to climate change.
Mass wastage is resulting in rising debris-cover on glaciers and more glacial lakes.Extreme rainfall events in the future may cause floods due to the bursting of glacial lakes, posing a threat to mountain communities.
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The Water Future of Earth's 'Third Pole'
June 26, 2019
https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2887/the-water-future-of-earths-third-pole/
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Himalayan Glaciers’ Melt Doubled Since Year 2000
June 21, 2019
https://ens-newswire.com/himalayan-glaciers-melt-doubled-since-year-2000/
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Large landslides lie low: Himalaya-Karakoram ranges
May 7, 2015
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/05/150507135932.htm
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Effect of Altitude on Forest Soil Properties at Northern Karakoram
October 21, 2019
Abstract
This study aims to determine variation in soil physical, chemical and
microbial properties along altitudinal gradients in fragile mountains
region of the Karakoram. The soil samples were collected at the altitude
ranging from 2787 to 3600 m from the alpine forest of the Bagrot
valley, northern Karakoram, Pakistan and analyzed for various physical,
chemical, and microbial parameters. The results indicate that there is a
strong relationship of the soil parameters with altitude (p ≤ 0.01). With increasing elevation, soil bulk density, sand content, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, CaCO3
content, and 16S rRNA decreased significantly, while total porosity,
saturation percentage, soil organic matter (SOM) contents, soil
nutrients, and fungi-to-bacteria ratio increased with increasing
altitude. These findings increase the understanding of dynamics of soil
properties and enhance predictions of the responses of alpine soils to
global warming.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S1064229319100120
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Electrical resistivity structures and tectonic implications of Main Karakorum Thrust (MKT) in the western Himalayas: NNE Pakistan
June 2018
Abstract
We discovered a conductive zone along Main Karakoram Thrust which could
be an indication of flat subduction of Kohistan island arc beneath the
Eurasian plate. Kohistan island arc collided with the Karakoram Block of
the Eurasian Plate in the Early Cretaceous. However, according to
findings of many researchers, the subduction ceased about 75 Ma ago. The
presence of the conductive zone is an indication of current magmatism
or hydrothermal fluids. Maximum low-frequency band data from Fourteen
sites with recording periods of 10−2–103 s was acquired along
a profile crossing MKT. Our results reveal the existence of multiple
low resistivity zones beneath the region extending from shallow to the
depths of more than 100 km. These low-resistivity zones might be a
signature of the ongoing magmatic activities or hydrothermal fluids
along the Shyok Suture Zone. In addition, we discovered another large
conductive body towards the south of the study area which could be a
result of uprising magmatic plumes generated by the subducting Indian
plate along the Indian suture zone and their entrapment in the overlying
Kohistan block.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S003192011730184X
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Exhumation history of the Karakoram fault zone mylonites: New constraints from microstructures, fluid inclusions, and 40Ar-39Ar analyses
June 01, 2012
Abstract
The Karakoram fault zone is a dextral strike-slip fault bounded by the
Pangong and Tangtse strands on its NE and SW flanks, respectively. In
the Tangtse shear zone, the microstructures of mylonitic leucogranite
exhibit superposition of high-temperature deformation followed by
low-temperature deformation. The mylonites show fluid immiscibility,
containing brine and carbonic inclusions. The occurrence of carbonic-
and brine-rich inclusions in the oscillatory-zoned plagioclase indicates
that they were trapped during the formation of the leucogranite.
Eventually, these fluids recorded a near-isobaric drop in temperature
down to <450 °C at the amphibolite-greenschist facies transition,
when the zone of fluid mixing was established. The 40Ar-39Ar
biotite ages indicate that the area cooled down to 400–350 °C over
10.34–9.48 Ma, and this period also coincides with a major phase of
fluid infiltration and trapping of secondary reequilibrated carbonic and
saline-aqueous inclusions. The 10.34–9.80 Ma period recorded a
low-temperature deformation at greenschist conditions, when the involved
fluid evolved following a near-isobaric path at ∼2 kbar. Subsequently,
between 9.80 Ma and 9.48 Ma, the sudden drop in pressure (1.75–0.5 kbar)
caused by mylonites produced reequilibrated fluid inclusion textures.
These observations suggest that the Karakoram fault zone rocks show a
single progressive deformation event with bimodal fluid evolution, in
which the carbonic- and brine-rich inclusions were available prior to
high-temperature deformation during the initiation of the Karakoram
fault zone. The trapping of secondary inclusions between 10.34 Ma and
9.48 Ma with pressure decrease of ∼2–0.5 kbar yields an average uplift
rate of 1 mm yr−1 for the Karakoram fault zone.
https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/lithosphere/article/4/3/230/145617/Exhumation-history-of-the-Karakoram-fault-zone
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The Geology and Tectonic Evolution of the Karakoram-Kohistan Range of the Himataya of N. Pakistan
1986
https://www.academia.edu/38111533/The_Geology_and_Tectonic_Evolution_of_the_Karakoram_Kohistan_Range_of_the_Himataya_of_N_Pakistan
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Ancient Pakistan - 9,000 Years Journey
Mar 29, 2015
https://historum.com/threads/ancient-pakistan-9-000-years-journey.87858/
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Scientists decide to bury 5,000-year-old lost city in Pakistan
Mohenjo Daro is threatened by the baking temperatures of the Indus Valley and the threat from tourists and terrorists
18 May 2017
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Phased evolution and variation of the South Asian monsoon, and resulting weathering and surface erosion in the Himalaya–Karakoram Mountains, since late Pliocene time using data from Arabian Sea core
April 27, 2020
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/geological-magazine/article/abs/phased-evolution-and-variation-of-the-south-asian-monsoon-and-resulting-weathering-and-surface-erosion-in-the-himalayakarakoram-mountains-since-late-pliocene-time-using-data-from-arabian-sea-core/E949156195BE64600BE37D9FFC88D9D7
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Chitral floods: Why melting glaciers may not be the cause
August 3, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1197805
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Unexpected climate variability inferred from a 380-year tree-ring earlywood oxygen isotope record in the Karakoram, Northern Pakistan
22 March 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00382-021-05736-6
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Flora of the Karakoram: Historical Database
https://blogs.ubc.ca/alpineplants/alpine-flora-of-the-karakoram-historical-database/
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Environmental
determinants of plant associations and evaluation of the conservation
status of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana in Dir, the Hindu Kush Range of
Mountains
17 September 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42965-020-00109-2
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Challenges and Uncertainties in Hydrological Modeling of Remote Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalayan (HKH) Basins: Suggestions for Calibration Strategies
1 February 2012
https://bioone.org/journals/Mountain-Research-and-Development/volume-32/issue-1/MRD-JOURNAL-D-11-00092.1/Challenges-and-Uncertainties-in-Hydrological-Modeling-of-Remote-Hindu-KushKarakoramHimalayan/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-11-00092.1.full
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Studies in assessment of environmental degradation and tourism in the Karakoram Mountain Ranges using water quality characterization – JBES
2017
https://innspubnet.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/studies-in-assessment-of-environmental-degradation-and-tourism-in-the-karakoram-mountain-ranges-using-water-quality-characterization-jbes/
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Hydrology research in the upper Indus basin, Karakoram Himalaya, Pakistan
1989
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Hydrology-research-in-the-upper-Indus-basin%2C-Young-Hewitt/5903b98b2a957e64fa4fb512a9d458c2b96c826d
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Performance of CMORPH, TMPA, and PERSIANN rainfall datasets over plain, mountainous, and glacial regions of Pakistan
12 January 2017
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00704-016-2027-z
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Geochemical characteristics of water and sediment of the Indus river, Trans-Himalaya, India: constraints on weathering and erosion
1998
The Indus river carries a huge amount of chemical and sediment load while traversing the Himalayas. The present study deals with the chemistry of major ions (Ca, Mg, HCO3, Na, K, Cl, SO4, SiO2 ) and trace metal contents (Ba, Sr, Zn, Ni, Cu, Co, Mn) of the river Indus, one of its major tributaries, the river Beas, many adjoining hot and cold water springs and the high altitude lake (∼5700 m) Kyung Tso. Although anthropogenic activities like farming, grazing and tourism have started in large parts of this terrain, our study indicates that chemistry of Indus water is influenced mostly by the lithology of the basin and most of its ionic concentration appears to have been derived from weathering of carbonates and silicates in the catchment area. For the first time, bed and suspended sediments of the river Indus have also been studied and compared with average Post Archean shale (PAS) and greywacke. The sediments of the Indus river in its headwater region closely reflect the exposed portion of the crust in its catchment area. The headwater part of the Indus Basin in Ladakh and Karakorum is characterised by rapid uplift and, therefore, subject more to intense physical weathering than chemical weathering, as is evidenced by the suspended and dissolved load carried by the river. Physical weathering and erosion is expected to have major controls on the grain size and therefore the chemical nature of the sediments.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0743954798000166
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Glaciers and Glacial Lakes under Changing Climate in Pakistan
2011
http://www.pmd.gov.pk/rnd/rnd_files/vol8_issue15/1_Glaciers%20and%20Glacial%20Lakes%20under%20Changing%20Climate%20in%20Pakistan.pdf
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Increasing risk of glacial lake outburst floods along KKH China Pakistan economic corridor from 2018 to 2021
2021-07-29
http://drr.ikcest.org/post/196fe
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Irrigation in high mountain Asia is creating unexpected glacier growth
October 15, 2020
https://phys.org/news/2020-10-irrigation-high-mountain-asia-unexpected.html
A new study has demonstrated that irrigation in parts of high mountain Asia is having profound effects on some of the region's glaciers. In contrast to glaciers worldwide that are shrinking dramatically from global warming, glaciers in the Karakoram mountain range, spanning the borders of China, Pakistan and India, have long been recognized as stable and often growing. This effect, dubbed the Karakoram Anomaly, has also been observed in the western Kunlun Shan mountains of Xinjiang and Tibet in China.
In the new study, a team of glaciologists and climate modelers, lead by Remco de Kok at Utrecht University, modeled snowfall and temperature patterns and the response of glacier accumulation versus mass loss in the western Kunlun Shan and Karakoram. The results demonstrate that irrigation contributes a large part to changes in precipitation and snowfall in the region, which in turn have an effect on the glaciers. This research indicates that, in a seemingly far-fetched interplay, human activity is offsetting the negative effects of temperature increases.
The lowland valleys of high mountain Asia include some of the world's most intensely irrigated areas, such as on the Indo-Gangetic plain of north India. Rice, wheat and cotton are three water-intensive crops that are widely grown in the region commercially. Irrigation on these plains increases evaporation that adds moisture to the atmosphere. Atmospheric moisture leads to increased cloud cover and reduced incoming solar radiation, which reduces air temperatures close to the surface. Furthermore, evaporated moisture has a wetting effect by increasing precipitation and summer snowfall, which can add mass to the glaciers and provide an insulating blanket to keep the ice cool.
"We confirmed with our model that growing glaciers [in these mountains] are less sensitive to temperature changes," de Kok told GlacierHub. The computer models also indicate that this low temperature sensitivity and increase in snowfall are the main reasons why glaciers in the region are stable and growing, suggesting that irrigation can increase glacier accumulation...
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Prediction of Relative Humidity in a High Elevated Basin of Western Karakoram by Using Different Machine Learning Models
2021
https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/prediction-of-relative-humidity-in-a-high-elevated-basin-of-western-karakoram-by-using-different-mac
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Comparative assessment of spatiotemporal snow cover changes and hydrological behavior of the Gilgit, Astore and Hunza River basins (Hindukush–Karakoram–Himalaya region, Pakistan)
Mar 9, 2016
https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journals/comparative-assessment-of-spatiotemporal-snow-cover-changes-and-1JLVQnuiXU
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Linking atmospheric pollution to cryospheric change in the Third Pole region: current progress and future prospects
March 6, 2019
https://academic.oup.com/nsr/article/6/4/796/5370097
ABSTRACT
The Tibetan Plateau and its surroundings are known as the Third Pole (TP). This region is noted for its high rates of glacier melt and the associated hydrological shifts that affect water supplies in Asia. Atmospheric pollutants contribute to climatic and cryospheric changes through their effects on solar radiation and the albedos of snow and ice surfaces; moreover, the behavior and fates within the cryosphere and environmental impacts of environmental pollutants are topics of increasing concern. In this review, we introduce a coordinated monitoring and research framework and network to link atmospheric pollution and cryospheric changes (APCC) within the TP region. We then provide an up-to-date summary of progress and achievements related to the APCC research framework, including aspects of atmospheric pollution's composition and concentration, spatial and temporal variations, trans-boundary transport pathways and mechanisms, and effects on the warming of atmosphere and changing in Indian monsoon, as well as melting of glacier and snow cover. We highlight that exogenous air pollutants can enter into the TP’s environments and cause great impacts on regional climatic and environmental changes. At last, we propose future research priorities and map out an extended program at the global scale. The ongoing monitoring activities and research facilitate comprehensive studies of atmosphere–cryosphere interactions, represent one of China's key research expeditions to the TP and the polar regions and contribute to the global perspective of earth system science.
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Global glacier retreat has accelerated
Apr-29-2021
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/ez-ggr042921.php
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Almost 2 Billion People To Face Water Shortage as Hindu Kush‑Himalaya’s Ice Melts: UNDP
Jun 8, 2021
https://theswaddle.com/almost-2-billion-people-to-face-water-shortage-as-hindu-kush-himalayas-ice-melts-undp/
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The crisis of water shortage and pollution in Pakistan: risk to public
health, biodiversity, and ecosystem
2019
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs11356-019-04483-w.pdf
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As Pakistan glacier melt surges, efforts to cut flood risk drag
Jun 07, 2020
https://nationalpost.com/pmn/environment-pmn/as-pakistan-glacier-melt-surges-efforts-to-cut-flood-risk-drag
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Millions at risk as melting Pakistan glaciers raise flood fears
Jun 9, 2020
As ice melts, there is risk of large glacial lakes bursting through banks and creating deadly flash floods downstream.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/6/9/millions-at-risk-as-melting-pakistan-glaciers-raise-flood-fears
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'In the mouth of dragons': Melting glaciers threaten Pakistan's north
July 7, 2022
https://phys.org/news/2022-07-mouth-dragons-glaciers-threaten-pakistan.html
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Why are Pakistan’s floods so extreme this year?
September 2022
Huge swathes of the country are under water, following an intense heatwave and a long monsoon that has dumped a record amount of rain.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02813-6
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Pakistan flood crisis blamed partly on deforestation
2010
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-oct-13-la-fg-pakistan-logging-20101013-story.html
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Human response to hydro-meteorological disasters: A case study of the 2010 flash floods in Pakistan
January 2011
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Pakistan: Rain, flooding wreak havoc in Karachi
3 Sep 2020
https://www.aljazeera.com/videos/2020/9/3/pakistan-rain-flooding-wreak-havoc-in-karachi
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In GB, hope evaporates as glaciers melt faster and faster
May 2, 2022
https://www.dawn.com/news/1687848/in-gb-hope-evaporates-as-glaciers-melt-faster-and-faster
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'Maybe It Will Destroy Everything': Pakistan's Melting Glaciers Cause Alarm
November 21, 2019
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Pakistan’s melting glaciers are ‘erupting’ and worsening floods
September 1, 2022
https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/01/asia/pakistan-flooding-glacier-outbursts-climate-intl/index.html
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The melting glaciers of Pakistan
April 17, 2019
https://dailytimes.com.pk/377810/melting-glaciers-of-pakistan/
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Millions at risk as melting Pakistan glaciers raise flood fears
As ice melts, there is risk of large glacial lakes bursting through banks and creating deadly flash floods downstream.
9 Jun 2020
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With Glaciers Melting And Temps Soaring, Pakistan Pursues Big Action On Climate Change
September 29, 2020
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Pakistan has more glaciers than almost anywhere on Earth. But they are at risk.
August 12, 2016
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Receding glaciers in Pakistan
Glaciers
that feed the Indus river in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains are melting
faster than previously thought, according to new field research.
April 9, 2014
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/receding-glaciers-in-pakistan/
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Long-term Himalayan glacier study
June 17, 2021
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210617133826.htm
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Biafo Glacier
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biafo_Glacier
The
Biafo Glacier (Urdu: بیافو گلیشیر) is a 67 km (42 mi)-long glacier
situated in the Karakoram mountain range in Shigar district,
Gilgit−Baltistan, Pakistan.
Geography
Biafo Glacier meets
the 100 km (62 mi)-long Hispar Glacier at an altitude of 5,128 m
(16,824 ft) at Hispar La to create the world's longest glacial system
outside of the polar regions.[1] This highway of ice connects two
ancient mountain kingdoms, Nagar, in the west with District Shigar
Baltistan in the east. This Glacier is about 20 km (12 mi) away from
Askoli Village Braldo of Shigar District. The traverse uses 51 of the
Biafo Glacier's 67 km (42 mi) and all of the Hispar Glacier to form a
100 km (62 mi) glacial route.
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Hydrological Investigations at Biafo Glacier, Karakoram Range, Himalaya; an Important Source of Water for the Indus River
20 January 2017
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/annals-of-glaciology/article/hydrological-investigations-at-biafo-glacier-karakoram-range-himalaya-an-important-source-of-water-for-the-indus-river/43D233BB5EDCA3000431DBF28EC083E2
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Hell and ice water: Glacier melt threatens Pakistan's future
January 9, 2020
https://news.yahoo.com/hell-ice-water-glacier-melt-threatens-pakistans-future-034832133.html
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As Pakistan glacier melt surges, efforts to cut flood risk drag
Jun 07, 2020
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Socio-hydrology of “artificial glaciers” in Ladakh, India: assessing adaptive strategies in a changing cryosphere
June 26, 2018
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10113-018-1372-0
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The fast disappearing glaciers of Kashmir
2020
The
glaciers located in the Kashmir Himalayas are melting at rapid rates
posing a threat to water security in the region!. How is Kashmir coping?
Kashmir’s
glaciers are melting at frightening rates. Kolahoi glacier, the largest
glacier in Kashmir Himalayas, has lost 23 percent area since 1962 and
has fragmented into smaller parts!
https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/fast-disappearing-glaciers-kashmir
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10 Mind Blowing Stories about the Frozen Bodies left on top of Mount Everest
November 10, 2017
https://www.troab.com/facts-about-frozen-bodies-on-mount-everest/
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Mount Everest, The Grave To Over 200 Dead Bodies
2013
https://unbelievable-facts.com/2013/10/mount-everest-grave-to-over-200-dead.html
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200 Dead, Unrecovered Bodies on Mt. Everest Used as Landmarks
December 7, 2016
Mount
Everest, being the highest mountain in the world, is a dream climb for
many mountaineers. At 29, 029 ft, reaching the summit is truly a
remarkable feat. “Human beings simply aren’t built to function at the
cruising altitude of a 747.” Many have succeeded, but many, too, have
failed.
200 bodies still remain on Mt Everest, many of them with
grimly fascinating stories to tell. The extreme cold preserves them
where they fell and keeps them remarkably intact, turning them into
grisly landmarks – shocking reminders of the extreme risks climbers face
in summiting the world’s highest mountain.
Here are the horrific photographs of a failed common goal to achieve Himalayan greatness.
https://historydaily.org/mt-everest-dead-bodies-used-as-landmarks
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Riddles Of The Dead: Skeleton Lake, Roopkund
May 13, 2014
https://hauntedindia.blogspot.com/2014/05/riddles-of-dead-skeleton-lake-roopkund.html
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Rock glaciers will slow Himalayan ice melt
April 20, 2021
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210420092855.htm
Rock
glaciers are similar to "true" ice glaciers in that they are mixtures
of ice and rock that move downhill by gravity -- but the enhanced
insulation provided by surface rock debris means rock glaciers will melt
more slowly as temperatures rise.
Rock glaciers have generally been overlooked in studies about the future of Himalayan ice.
The
new study, led by Dr Darren Jones at the University of Exeter, shows
rock glaciers already account for about one twenty-fifth of Himalayan
glacial ice -- and this proportion will rise as exposed glaciers
continue to melt and some transition to become rock glaciers...
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Millions of farmers depend on meltwater from Himalaya glaciers
July, 9 2019
https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/news/millions-of-farmers-depend-on-meltwater-from-himalaya-glaciers/
The
faster melting of glaciers in the Himalayas in recent years will affect
the crop production and livelihoods of around 129 million farmers who
depend on meltwater from these glaciers, new research published in
Nature Sustainability today reveals.
The researchers,
including Christian Siderius of the Grantham Research Institute at the
London School of Economics and Political Science, analyzed how meltwater
mixes with rainfall and groundwater when propagating downstream and how
it is subsequently distributed through the irrigation systems.
With
over 900 million inhabitants, the South Asian river basins of the
Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra are amongst the world’s most densely
populated areas. To a large extent, water supply in these areas depends
on melting glaciers and snow from the Himalaya. Meltwater is used for
crop irrigation and provides farmers with sufficient water in periods of
drought and minimal rainfall.
The study shows that 129 million
farmers (partly) irrigate their land using water originating from snow
and glaciers in the mountains. Meltwater alone provides enough water to
grow food crops to sustain a balanced diet for 38 million people.
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The Last Ice Merchant Harvesting Glaciers
Jan 10, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2eLl_WA7CQ
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The melting Himalayas : examples of water harvesting techniques
2012
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/search/publication/2760100
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Can ice stupas solve the water crisis in the Himalayan Desert?
Oct 3, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kptgonELj00
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Has Himalayan glacier melting doubled?
June, 2019
“A
newly comprehensive study shows that melting of Himalayan glaciers
caused by rising temperatures has accelerated dramatically since the
start of the 21st century,” claims a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia
University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Willis Eschenbach shares
his thoughts.
https://junkscience.com/2019/06/has-himalayan-glacier-melting-doubled/
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Artificial glaciers for a Himalayan desert: solution or hype?
September 21, 2017
From
disappearing caps in Greenland to receding glaciers on Mount Everest,
ice is the most visible symbol in the debate over climate change. In the
high-altitude Himalayan region of Ladakh - located in the volatile
Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir - ice is more than a rhetorical
concern.
https://www.mo.be/en/analysis/artificial-glaciers-himalayan-desert-solution-or-hype
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47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes tickling in Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali river basins
September 8, 2020
https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/09/08/47-potentially-dangerous-glacial-lakes-tickling-in-koshi-gandaki-and-karnali-river-basins
A
new study has identified as many as 47 glacial lakes within the Koshi,
Gandaki, and Karnali river basins of Nepal, the Tibet Autonomous Region
(TAR) of China, and India as potentially dangerous, the ones that could
damage physical infrastructure and cause loss of human lives and
livelihoods downstream.
A new inventory of glacial lakes in
Nepal, TAR China, and India, has not only found 3,624 glacial lakes
located in the three basins but also identified 47 glacial lakes that
could potentially cause glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
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Trekkers 'led to die in snow storm': British survivor tells of Himalaya guides' blunder
Oct 17, 2014
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/trekkers-led-die-snow-storm-4455885
Paul
Sheridan, a police officer from Doncaster, has blamed local guides and
said they were not carrying the correct emergency equipment and didn't
stop the expedition when the 'horrendous' weather closed in
A
British survivor of a Himalayan mountaineering disaster told how
trekkers were “herded to their deaths” in terrifying blizzards which
killed at least 29 people.
Paul Sheridan said walkers were left
stumbling through “an abyss of nothing” as dense snow left them unable
to orient themselves on the slopes of the Annapurna range in northern
Nepal.
The police officer from Doncaster blamed local guides for
allegedly not carrying the correct emergency equipment and failing to
stop the expedition in horrendous weather conditions.
Search
teams were forced to used shovels and ice axes to dig through thick snow
and rescue about 40 hikers who had been trapped for days.
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20 Top Glaciers in Pakistan That You Need To Visit
July 10, 2018
https://folder.pk/top-glaciers-in-pakistan/
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Discover Mountains of Pakistan Part 1
Nov 27, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCrJ38uDSjE
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'Outbursts' from Pakistan's melting glaciers have tripled this year and are worsening floods
2022
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/outbursts-from-pakistan-s-melting-glaciers-have-tripled-this-year-and-are-worsening-floods/ar-AA11mPyR
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Farmers in mountainous areas of Pakistan feel the heat
June 28, 2022
This year, an early and hotter start to the summer has forced a change in the crop cycle in Gilgit-Baltistan, high up in the Hindu Kush Himalayas
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/farmers-northern-pakistan-feel-heat/
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2022 heat wave in India and Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_heat_wave_in_India_and_Pakistan
The 2022 heat wave in India and Pakistan is an extreme weather event which has resulted in the hottest March in India since 1901. The hot season arrived unusually early in the year and extended into April, affecting a large part of India's northwest and Pakistan. The heatwave has combined with a drought, with rainfall being only a quarter to a third of normal. The heat wave is remarkable for occurring during a La Niña event.
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Pakistan Burns At 50°C: Can It Turn The Heat Down On Climate Change? | Insight
Aug 2, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVhcaQMVa2M
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Pakistan's glaciers melting faster than rest of the world
Pakistan is listed among countries highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change
July 06, 2015
https://tribune.com.pk/story/915700/pakistans-glaciers-melting-faster-than-rest-of-the-world
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Hydrology research in the upper Indus basin, Karakoram Himalaya, Pakistan
1989
____________
How healthy are glaciers in Pakistan?
28 Dec 2018
https://www.icimod.org/article/how-healthy-are-glaciers-in-pakistan/
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Comparative
assessment of spatiotemporal snow cover changes and hydrological
behavior of the Gilgit, Astore and Hunza River basins
(Hindukush–Karakoram–Himalaya region, Pakistan)
Mar 9, 2016
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The Hunza Valley as the Original Shangri La
February 08, 2022
An Isolated Region With High Life Expectancy
https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-hunza-valley-the-original-shangri-la-2224049
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Shangri-La: Hidden Utopia Of Pakistan's Mountains | Timeline
Jul 13, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BZHL-g4uDA
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CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECT ON THE HUNZA LAKE AND GEOMORPHOLOGIC STATUS OF THE HUNZA RIVER BASIN, GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN
2011
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/CLIMATE-CHANGE-EFFECT-ON-THE-HUNZA-LAKE-AND-STATUS-Khan-Faridi/36eb28686369a8902ebfd0aa84084835335898b5
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Surging glacier creates lake, floods Pakistan valley
June 12, 2020
Danger of another flood as water continues to flow from the lake in Hunza valley in northern Pakistan.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1563034
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*FLOOD* Pakistan's COLLAPSE Is FAR Worse Than You Think, Bankrupt
Aug 8, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiAdTwjw0sE
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Hunza
Valley: Pakistan's 'real Shangri-La' is a world free from militant
Islamists, poverty, pollution and a lacklustre education system
24 July 2015
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/hunza-valley-pakistan-s-real-shangrila-is-a-world-free-from-militant-islamists-poverty-pollution-and-a-lacklustre-education-system-10411618.html
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Hunza Valley becomes Pakistan’s & Asia’s first plastic free zone
January 27, 2020
https://dailytimes.com.pk/547182/hunza-valley-becomes-pakistans-asias-first-plastic-free-zone/
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Climbers trying to summit Karakoram Range peaks enter decisive phase
January 26, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1530571
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Securing the heights: The vertical dimension of the Siachen conflict between India and Pakistan in the Eastern Karakoram
2015
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962629815000347
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Siachen Glacier
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siachen_Glacier
____________
Siachen glacier is turning into a high-altitude dumping site
August 22, 2019
With
no means to bring back waste from where troops are deployed on the
Siachen glacier, the place is becoming a mountain of trash, reports
Athar Parvaiz
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/regional-cooperation/siachen-glacier/
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Siachen: The world's highest battlefield
September 18, 2019
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2059264/1-pakistans-warming-mountains-farmers-fish-new-living
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Siachen is becoming a mountain of trash
2020
https://alrasub.com/siachen-is-becoming-a-mountain-of-trash/
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Turning mountains into trash heaps
March 5, 2011
https://www.markhorrell.com/blog/2011/turning-mountains-into-trash-heaps/?share=email?share=email
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Genomes, cloud seeding, sandstorm forecasts – Saudi and Pakistan unite to combat devastating weather events
12 November 2022
Land degradation and water shortages are two key battles facing arid countries in the fight against climate change
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/sgi/saudi-arabia-devastating-weather-events-b2223651.html
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Chitral floods: Why melting glaciers may not be the cause
August 3, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1197805/chitral-floods-why-melting-glaciers-may-not-be-the-cause
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Death toll tops 900 as Pakistan reels from 'abnormal' rain, glacial lake outburst floods
Aug 25 2022
https://www.geo.tv/latest/436022-flood-toll-tops-900-as-pakistan-reels-from-abnormal-rainfall-cloudbursts-glacial-lake-outburst-floods
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Pakistan Government to plant 10 billion trees to protect against floods from melting glaciers
August 10, 2018
https://www.waterbriefingglobal.org/pakistan-government-plant-10-billion-trees-protect-floods-melting-glaciers/
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Environmental pollution be contained with development of forests: Bilawal
March 15, 2021
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/03/15/environmental-pollution-be-contained-with-development-of-forests-bilawal/
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A case of groundwater depletion in Balochistan, Pakistan: Enter into the void
2014
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581814000457
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Cyclone Kyarr leads to increase in plastic pollution along Balochistan coast
02 November 2019
https://www.wwfpak.org/?355492/Cyclone-Kyarr-leads-to-increase-in-plastic-pollution-along-Balochistan-coast
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Section 2: Water
____________
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List of rivers of Pakistan
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Pakistan
____________
Organic Contaminants of Concern in Northern Pakistan River Ecosystems
04/28/2021
https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/109889/Costello_M_Christina_ECEC21.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
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HYDROLOGICAL MODELING OF HARO RIVER WATERSHED, PAKISTAN
January 2017
https://www.arpapress.com/Volumes/Vol30Issue1/IJRRAS_30_1_02.pdf
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Impact of climate change on sediment yield for Naran watershed, Pakistan
2016
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1001627916300257
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Impacts of land uses on runoff and soil erosion A case study in Hilkot watershed Pakistan
2011
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S100162791160098X
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Runoff and Soil Erosion in Hilkot Watershed (HKH) Pakistan
An overview of rainfall pattern, runoff and soil erosion in Hilkjot watershed, Pakistan
LAP Lambert Academic Publishing ( 2011-11-01 )
https://www.lap-publishing.com/catalog/details/store/gb/book/978-3-8465-3517-2/runoff-and-soil-erosion-in-hilkot-watershed-hkh-pakistan
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Assessment of organochlorine pesticides in the Himalayan riverine ecosystems from Pakistan using passive sampling techniques
2019
Abstract
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) pose a considerable threat to human and
environmental health. Despite most OCPs have been banned, they are
still reported to be used in developing countries, including Pakistan.
We aimed to identify the distribution, origin, mobility, and potential
risks from OCPs in three major environmental compartments, i.e., air,
water, and soil, across Azad Jammu and Kashmir valley, Pakistan. The
sums of OCPs ranged between 66 and 530 pg/g in soil, 5 and 13 pg/L in
surface water, and 14 and 191 pg/m3 in air, respectively. The highest
sum of OCPs was observed in the downstream zone of a river that was
predominantly influenced by peri-urban and urban areas. The OCP isomers
ratios (α-HCH/γ-HCH and o,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDT) indicate use of lindane and
technical DDTs mixture as a source of HCH and DDT in the riverine
environment. Similarly, the ratios of DDE and DDD/the sum of DDTs,
α-endosulfan/β-endosulfan, and cis-chlordane/trans-chlordane indicate
recent use of DDTs, endosulfan, and chlordane in the region. The
air-water exchange fugacity ratios indicate net volatilization (fw/fa
> 1) of α-endosulfan and trans-chlordane, and net deposition (fw/fa
< 1) of β-endosulfan, α-HCH, γ-HCH p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDT.
Based on the risk quotient (RQ) method, we consider the acute ecological
risks for fish associated with the levels of OCPs as negligible.
However, more studies are recommended to evaluate the chronic ecological
risks to other riverine-associated aquatic and terrestrial species as
well as human health risks to the POPs exposure through food chain
transfer in forthcoming years.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30613874/
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Pakistan’s Swat River fouled by untreated waste, dumping
17 Apr 2020
Rubbish, untreated waste poisons Swat River’s waters and poses health risk to Hindu Kush villagers downstream.
https://www.aljazeera.com/videos/2020/4/17/pakistans-swat-river-fouled-by-untreated-waste-dumping
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Endocrine disrupting chemicals in Kabul and Swat rivers and their impact on fish populations and rural community livelihoods
2017
https://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/Pakistan/phase7/PGA_182821
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Water pollution behind fish deaths in Swat River: probe
October 6, 2016
https://www.dawn.com/news/1288302
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Mobs pillage River Swat as it swells with dead and dying fish
January 27, 2014
Fishermen, officials say the river was poisoned in the middle of the night.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/663861/mobs-pillage-river-swat-as-it-swells-with-dead-and-dying-fish
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Rivers contamination impacting fish populations, can cause cancer in humans
December 21, 2020
https://nation.com.pk/21-Dec-2020/rivers-contamination-impacting-fish-populations-can-cause-cancer-in-humans
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Dumping ground: Swat River polluted by irresponsible waste disposal
June 13, 2016
Residents are fed up of water-borne diseases; say all appeals fall on deaf ears
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1121886/dumping-ground-swat-river-polluted-irresponsible-waste-disposal
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NA-3 residents decry pollution of the Swat River
2018
The lack of municipal facilities in Swat is gradually turning the banks of the Swat River into a garbage dumping ground.
https://www.samaa.tv/video/2018/07/na-3-residents-decry-pollution-of-the-swat-river/
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Illegal structures from banks of Swat River to be removed
June 16, 2021
https://pakobserver.net/illegal-structures-from-banks-of-swat-river-to-be-removed/
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Swat River cleared of encroachments as drive against illegal structures continue
June 15, 2021
https://dailytimes.com.pk/773447/swat-river-cleared-of-encroachments-as-drive-against-illegal-structures-continue/
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SWAT-Based Runoff Modeling in Complex Catchment Areas –
Theoretical Background and Numerical Procedures
2009
http://www.sscm.kg.ac.rs/jsscm/downloads/Vol3No1/SWAT-Based_Runoff_Modeling_in_Complex_Catchment_Areas2.pdf
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Evaluation of the Swat River, Northern Pakistan, water quality using
multivariate statistical techniques and water quality index (WQI)
model
July 2020
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11356-020-09688-y.pdf
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Fluoride prevalence in groundwater around a fluorite mining area in the flood plain of the River Swat, Pakistan
2018
Abstract
This study investigated the fluoride (F-) concentrations and
physicochemical parameters of the groundwater in a fluorite mining area
of the flood plain region of the River Swat, with particular emphasis on
the fate and distribution of F- and the hydrogeochemistry. To better understand the groundwater hydrochemical profile and F-
enrichment, groundwater samples (n=53) were collected from shallow
(24-40m), mid-depth (48-65m) and deep (85-120m) aquifers, and then
analysed using an ion-selective electrode. The lowest F-
concentration (0.7mg/L) was recorded in the deep-aquifer groundwater,
while the highest (6.4mg/L) was recorded in shallow groundwater. Most
groundwater samples (62.2%) exceeded the guideline (1.5mg/L) set by the
World Health Organization (WHO); while for individual sources, 73% of
shallow-groundwater samples (F- concentration up to 6.4mg/L), 42% of mid-depth-groundwater samples, and 17% of deep-groundwater samples had F-
concentrations that exceeded this permissible limit. Assessment of the
overall quality of the groundwater revealed influences of the weathering
of granite and gneisses rocks, along with silicate minerals and ion
exchange processes. Hydrogeochemical analysis of the groundwater showed
that Na+ is the dominant cation and HCO3- the major anion. The anionic and cationic concentrations across the entire study area increased in the following order: HCO3>SO4>Cl>NO3>F>PO4 and Na>Ca>Mg>K, respectively. Relatively higher F- toxicity levels were associated with the NaHCO3 water type, and the chemical facies were found to change from the CaHCO3 to (NaHCO3)
type in calcium-poor aquifers. Thermodynamic considerations of
saturation indices indicated that fluorite minerals play a vital role in
the prevalence of fluorosis, while under-saturation revealed that -
besides fluorite minerals - other F- minerals that are also present in the region further increase the F-
concentrations in the groundwater. Finally, a health risk assessment
via Dean's classification method identified that the groundwater with
relatively higher F- concentrations is unfit for drinking purposes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29660723/
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PHYSICO-CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF RIVER SWAT AT BATKHELA
DISTRICT MALAKAND, KPK PAKISTAN
2015
https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/physicochemical-analysis-of-river-swat-at-batkhela-district-malakand-kpk-pakistan.pdf
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Health risks associated with heavy metals in the drinking water of Swat, northern Pakistan
2013
Abstract
The concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn
were investigated in drinking water sources (surface and groundwater)
collected from Swat valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The potential
health risks of heavy metals to the local population and their possible
source apportionment were also studied. Heavy metal concentrations were
analysed using atomic absorption spectrometer and compared with
permissible limits set by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and
World Health Organization. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb were
higher than their respective permissible limits, while Cu, Mn and Zn
concentrations were observed within their respective limits. Health risk
indicators such as chronic daily intake (CDI) and health risk index
(HRI) were calculated for adults and children separately. CDIs and HRIs
of heavy metals were found in the order of Cr > Mn > Ni > Zn
> Cd > Cu > Pb and Cd > Ni > Mn > Cr > Cu > Pb
> Zn, respectively. HRIs of selected heavy metals in the drinking
water were less than 1, indicating no health risk to the local people.
Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses showed that geologic
and anthropogenic activities were the possible sources of water
contamination with heavy metals in the study area.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1001074212602757
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Saving river Swat from growing pollution
August 27, 2007
https://www.dawn.com/news/263114/saving-river-swat-from-growing-pollution
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Hydrological modeling of the Simly Dam watershed (Pakistan) using GIS and SWAT model
2015
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110016815000903
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Pakistan’s deadly river: Swat volunteer calls for gov’t action
Swat
Valley residents call the Pakistani government to provide a rescue
service at Swat River, one of the most popular tourist spots in
Pakistan.
19 Oct 2019
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The Taliban once ruled Pakistan’s Swat Valley. Now peace has returned.
May 9, 2015
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Swat River to be cleaned from waste, garbage
October 28, 2018
https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/10/28/swat-river-to-be-cleaned-from-waste-garbage/
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Pakistan’s Success Story
How Swat Valley went from basket case to on the mend.
February 19, 2020
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/19/pakistans-success-story/
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Heavy metals in agricultural soils and crops and their health risks in Swat District, northern Pakistan
2013
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691513003189
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Mercury contamination status of rice cropping system in Pakistan and associated health risks
2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026974911937842X
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Mitigation of hazardous effects of mercury pollution on wheat seedlings
through Trichoderma harzianum seed coating treatment
2019
http://www.iscientific.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/1-IJCBS-19-15-1.pdf
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Mercury contamination in deposited dust and its bioaccumulation patterns throughout Pakistan
2016
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969716313614
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A Review on the Status of Mercury Pollution in Pakistan: Sources and Impacts
2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30915486/
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The source and fate of sediment and mercury in Hunza River basin, Northern Areas, Pakistan
2014
Abstract
This article presents results of mercury in surface waters from Hunza
River basin, Northern Areas, Pakistan. Small-scale gold mining
activities along the Hunza and Gilgit rivers are long known to be
discharging mercury in the amalgamation and roasting processes. Previous
studies reported high mercury concentrations in soils close to mining
operations as well as serious health problems for miners. However, none
of the studies have focused on the level of contamination in aqueous
environments. This is the first study on the investigation of source and
fate of sediment and river-borne mercury in the Hunza River. The
samples collected near gold panning sites showed higher mercury
concentrations than critical levels established by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. The observed dissolved mercury
concentrations ranged from 5.10 to 25.25 ng/l, whereas particulate-bound
mercury ranged from 4.85 to 154.62 ng/l. Particulate-phase mercury
corresponded to more than 75% of the total observed mercury
concentrations for all of the sampled rivers. Thus, suspended sediments
represented the major pathway of the riverine mercury transport. A mass
balance calculation suggested an annual mercury flux of 48.6 g/km2
into the Hunza River basin. The samples collected from the most
affected river, the Shimsal River, averaged to have 108 ng/l total
mercury. This amount was close to the average soil mercury data of
151 ng/l as reported by the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation in
2001. The dominant source of contamination was shown to be the leaching
of large quantities of mercury from the mercury-rich sediment and flood
plain soil into the rivers, rather than the direct release from mining
activities. Significant decrease in both dissolved and particulate-bound
mercury concentration downstream of Attabad Lake suggested that mercury
is being accumulated or consumed in the lake. Although minimization or
elimination of mercury loses from the mining process seems important for
the well-being of the miners, preventing the remobilization of
accumulated mercury is equally important in mercury control in this
region.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hyp.10175
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Potential risk and source distribution of groundwater contamination by mercury in district Swabi, Pakistan: Application of multivariate study
14 March 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-020-00674-5
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Assessment of mercury load in river Ravi, urban sewage streams of Lahore Pakistan and its impact on the oxidative stress of exposed fish
2016
https://www.academia.edu/26795822/Assessment_of_mercury_load_in_river_Ravi_urban_sewage_streams_of_Lahore_Pakistan_and_its_impact_on_the_oxidative_stress_of_exposed_fish
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Pollution turns Ravi near Lahore into a 'dead river'
2006
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pollution-turns-ravi-near-lahore-into-a-dead-river-1.256250
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Lahore — a city of gardens, now a city of concrete
March 3, 2016
How unsustainable development in the name of urbanisation is destroying Lahore's environment.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1238407
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As groundwater levels plunge, Lahore begins turning off taps
October 10, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-lahore-water-idUSKCN1MK1SZ
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Lahore among most polluted cities of Pakistan
December 31, 2016
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/175662-Lahore-among-most-polluted-cities-of-Pakistan
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Mercury concentrations in ten fish species from the Arabian Sea, Pakistan
Sep 2008
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02772249109357776
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A
Quantitative Assessment and Biomagnification of Mercury and Its
Associated Health Risks from Fish Consumption in Freshwater Lakes of
Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
07 January 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-020-02479-z
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TOXICITY OF MERCURY IN DIFFERENT SAMPLES (WATER AND SOILS) AND ITS EXPOSURE IN PAKISTAN
Dec 31st, 2012
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/TOXICITY+OF+MERCURY+IN+DIFFERENT+SAMPLES+(WATER+AND+SOILS)+AND+ITS...-a0321510706
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Pollution status and mercury sedimentation in small river near amalgamation and cyanidation units of Talawaan-Tatelu gold mining, North Sulawesi
April 2015
https://text-id.123dok.com/document/yd90rgjz-pollution-status-and-mercury-sedimentation-in-small-river-near-amalgamation-and-cyanidation-units-of-talawaan-tatelu-gold-mining-north-sulawesi.html
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Gold panning leaves toxic mercury trail in Pakistan
17/02/14
Geological studies in Pakistan’s north reveal gold ore and mercury contamination
High levels of mercury found in urine samples of people living in gold panning areas
Pakistan needs technology and international collaboration to extract gold safely
https://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/news/gold-panning-leaves-toxic-mercury-trail-in-pakistan/
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Gold study finds high mercury contamination in people living along Hunza River
2014
https://pamirtimes.net/2014/02/18/gold-study-finds-high-mercury-contamination-people-living-along-hunza-river/
ISLAMABAD – A three-year project to study gold ore in Pakistan’s northern areas in collaboration with the US has discovered new deposits of the yellow metal as well as concentrations of toxic mercury spilling into the environment from primitive extraction methods.
“During research for the US-Pakistan ‘gold mineralisation’ project, hyper-spectral remote sensing and geo-chemical analyses were used besides field work,” says Shuhab Khan, associate professor of geology at the University of Houston.
“Although most of northern Pakistan is known to have gold deposits, the new findings in Astore (in the Gilgit-Baltistan region) are significant and need extensive research with a view to safe extraction,” Khan tellsSciDev.Net.
The project that ends in March involves the National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission and the US Department of State. Significantly, it turned up evidence of extensive mercury contamination in the northern areas.
“Our research indicates high mercury concentrations in soils close to mining operations and particularly alarming contamination levels in people living around the Hunza river,” Khan says.
Mercury dissolves gold out of the ore, and when heated boils away leaving gold behind. Gold extraction using mercury continues along the banks of the Hunza, Gilgit and Indus rivers in the remote Gilgit-Baltistan region.
“Mercury cannot be destroyed, knows no boundaries and easily contaminates air, soil and water,” says Mehmood A. Khwaja, senior advisor at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad. “It pollutes the environment and negatively impacts human health.”
“A limited study conducted on 80 persons in the gold panning areas revealed mercury concentration in urine samples as high as 129 micrograms per litre,” says Khwaja. “The average for the group was 57 micrograms per litre in males and 68 micrograms per litre in females.
According to WHO standards published in 2003, human blood and urine must not contain more than 6 micrograms per litre and 50 micrograms per litre respectively.
Mercury can cause memory loss, impaired coordination and such ailments as Hunter-Russell syndrome and Minamata disease. The liquid metal is particularly harmful to young children and in advanced cases of mercury-poisoning the brain, kidneys and lungs are damaged.
Extensive studies will be required to determine the extent to which the population in the northern areas is affected by mercury contamination, Khwaja says.
Sardar Khan, associate professor of environmental science, University of Peshawar, tells SciDev.Net that Pakistan needs international collaboration and better technology to be able to extract gold safely.
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CHEMICAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER IN DISTRICT PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN
2016
https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/16426
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Pakistani workers poisoned during scrapping of infamous mercury-laden tanker
4 June 2021
https://eeb.org/pakistani-workers-poisoned-during-scrapping-of-infamous-mercury-laden-tanker/
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Elevated concentrations of mercury and methylmercury in the Gadani shipbreaking area, Pakistan
2021
Highlights
Elevated concentrations of HgT and MeHg were observed in Gadani shipbreaking sediments in comparison to a local reference site.
Highest concentrations of HgT and MeHg was found in the shipbreaking yards, followed by the dismantling zone
Values of δ13C and C:N ratio observed within shipbreaking yards and dismantling zone suggests strong influence of hydrocarbons and petroleum to the organic matter composition
Abstract
Gadani shipbreaking area, Pakistan, is the world's third largest
shipbreaking unit. However, to date, only a few studies on the
environmental impacts of the industry, including mercury (Hg) pollution,
have been conducted. To address this, concentrations of total Hg (HgT)
and methylmercury
(MeHg) were measured in surface sediments collected from the Gadani
shipbreaking area as well as a local reference area. The highest
concentrations of HgT and MeHg (median ± interquartile range) were
detected in samples from the beach at the yard zone (HgT:
270 ± 230 μg kg−1, MeHg: 0.65 ± 0.69 μg kg−1), followed by sediment samples from the inter/sub-tidal zone where ships are dismantled (HgT: 20 ± 5.8 μg kg−1, MeHg: 0.043 ± 0.016 μg kg−1).
These concentrations were on average 4–50 and 3–30 times greater than
the concentrations of HgT and MeHg, respectively, observed in the
reference area.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X21000825
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Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Selected Marine Fish Species of Gadani Shipbreaking Area and Pakistan
24 September 2020
Simple Summary
Protection of the coastal ecosystem from hazardous heavy metals is vital as it provides valuable habitat for numerous fish species and is a key resource for the coastal communities. Gadani shipbreaking is the third largest shipbreaking in the world, located on the coastline of Balochistan, Pakistan. The impact of this dismantling on the quality of the local fish species is still unknown. This is the first study to determine heavy metals’ content in fish and seawater of Gadani shipbreaking area. Metal accumulations in fish species both in gills and muscles ranged from 1.33 to 5.26 μg/g. Among trace metals, the level of Pb in all fish species was highest, followed by Ni, Mn, and Cd. However, all the analyzed fish species from the Gadani coast were found safe for human consumption, but there is a need for continuous monitoring of the coastal environment.
Abstract
Gadani shipbreaking area, located on the coastline of Pakistan, is an
important fish production area. In this study, levels of four metals
(Ni, Pb, Cd, and Mn) in 148 muscle and gill samples of seven fish
species (Small-scale terapon, Torpedo scade, Sicklefish, Saddle grunt,
Gold silk seabream, Indian mackerel, Spotted sickle fish) and seawater
samples, taken from 9 sampling sites in the shipbreaking area, were
determined. In addition, multiple approaches were used to assess human
health risks from fish consumption. Trace metal concentration in
seawater ranged from 0.05 to 1.96 mg/L in shipbreaking vicinity and 0.03
to 0.97 mg/L in the reference site (Miani Hor). However, metal
accumulations in fish species ranged from 1.33 to 5.26 μg/g. Among trace
metals, the level of Pb in all fish species was highest, followed by
Ni, Mn, and Cd. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for both gills and
muscles displayed the order: Mn > Cd > Ni > Pb. Estimated daily
intake (EDI) values were below the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Based
on target hazard quotient (THQ), the investigated fish species were safe
regarding Pb and Mn (THQ < 1), while they may cause potential risk
regarding Cd and Ni (THQ > 1). After comparison with maximum
permissible limits, heavy metal concentration in the edible muscle
tissues of all the analyzed fish species from the Gadani coast were
found safe for human consumption.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/10/1738/htm
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Scarcity of health and safety measures at Gadani shipbreaking
July 16, 2018
https://www.pakistangulfeconomist.com/2018/07/16/scarcity-of-health-and-safety-measures-at-gadani-shipbreaking/
NGO Shipbreaking Platform in its annual report 2017 says that pollutant and dangerous scrapping has been a key area of concern for Pakistani ship recycling industry. Gadani shipbreaking yard is the world third largest consisting of 132 shipbreaking plots. It operates directly on the beach, without any drained working areas to protect the sea and sand from pollution. Dangerous waste in Gadani, hazardous and polluting substances like asbestos, PCBs and residue oils are dumped behind the shipbreaking area.
Workers’ health and safety are being deliberately ignored in Gadani. Pakistan National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), have expressed strong concerns related to the systemic breaches of basic labor rights. Most of the shipbreaking workers in Gadani are from the poorest regions of Pakistan. Workers do not have access to clean drinking water.
The explosion of the Aces tanker on 1 November 2016, there has been increased awareness of the dangers faced by the workers in the shipbreaking yards in Pakistan. The explosion caused at that time the death of 31 workers and serious injury of at least another 58 workers. The major blast is the worst tragedy in shipbreaking history. This was caused by several gas cylinder explosions. In this context workers have rallied in Gadani to protest against the deplorable working conditions and the lack of government support in enforcing safety and health laws.
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The Ugly Side of Pakistan's Ship-Breaking Industry at Gadani
28/Dec/2016
Hazardous substances, dire working conditions all make for the side of the ship-breaking industry which isn't shown outside.
https://thewire.in/south-asia/ugly-gadani-ship-breaking
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World's biggest ship graveyard - where huge tankers and cruise liners are scrapped on the shorefront and workers toil for £2 a day
14 May 2013
Massive Gadani ship-breaking yard stretches some 10kn along the coast near Karachi, Pakistan
Workers are paid a pittance to work in filthy and dangerous conditions but there is not shortage of recruits
The facility reduces around 100 ships a year into sheets and angles of metal, pipes and working machines
It produces about a million tonnes of steel fulfilling most of Pakistan's demand for metal from the construction sector
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2324339/Worlds-biggest-ship-graveyard--huge-tankers-cruise-liners-scrapped-shorefront-workers-toil-2-day.html
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Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Selected Marine Fish Species of Gadani Shipbreaking Area and Pakistan
24 September 2020
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/10/1738
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Fears over pollution as ship burns off Sri Lanka coast
May 28, 2021
Locals warned to stay away from a beach as potentially dangerous substances wash ashore from a burning container vessel
https://www.ucanews.com/news/fears-over-pollution-as-ship-burns-off-sri-lanka-coast/92650#
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Sri Lanka facing marine disaster from burning ship
May 30, 2021
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/841925-sri-lanka-facing-marine-disaster-from-burning-ship
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Sri Lanka faces 'worst beach pollution in history' as ship burns
29 May 2021
https://www.trtworld.com/asia/sri-lanka-faces-worst-beach-pollution-in-history-as-ship-burns-47095
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The toxic trade of obsolete ships
15th October 2018
https://theecologist.org/2018/oct/15/toxic-trade-obsolete-ships
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Blue is rust with poison
October 26, 2009
https://nation.com.pk/26-Oct-2009/blue-is-rust-with-poison
While discussing hazards of environmental contamination faced by our metropolis, the Minister for Environment of Sindh disclosed in the provincial assembly question-answer session recently about the serious threats to our sweet water lakes. He said that Munchar, the biggest shallow water natural lake in Pakistan situated in district Dadu is dying fast because of high ratio of lead contents being continuously added to its waters. This natural lake is a vast depression flanked by the Khirthar Hills in the west, the Laki Hills in the south and River Indus in the east. During heavy rainfall, the lake extends northwest with the result that it can cover an additional area of about 100 Sq. miles or nearly 64000 acres. Being a large natural body of fresh water, Munchar is a major resource in the arid region of western Sindh. Before its pollution, Munchar helped to maintain various economic activities of the region substantially. It provided livelihood for large number of fishermen families and supplied irrigation water to various crops spread over vast areas besides being a great source of aquatic plants including lotus. It was also a repository for migratory birds coming from the north. The lake could have been a huge magnet for local tourism had its beautification was adequately maintained and some facilities added to it but that was never to be. Unfortunately, increased human activities sans proper maintenance have degraded the lake almost terminally. The proverbial 'last nail in its coffin was driven by the construction of the accursed Right Bank Out fall Drainage-I (RBOD-I) that brought highly contaminated and saline water from Balochistan into this lake. This mindless act of authorities not only destroyed the lake dissolution of toxic discharge in it but has become a perpetual source of poisoning of even the mighty Indus when the contaminated overflow of water is released into the river during monsoons. The country is presently facing a severe water shortage which might become extremely grave because of abnormal melting of Himalayan glaciers and less than normal rainfalls as forecast in the region. At this critical juncture, destruction of lakes like Munchar means our land would die of thirst.
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Impact of Seawater Intrusion on the Geochemistry of Groundwater of Gwadar District, Balochistan and Its Appraisal for Drinking Water Quality
07 July 2017
Abstract
Thirty-one groundwater samples were collected from Jiwani, Ganz,
Pishukan, Gwadar and Sur Bander, coastal towns of Gwadar District,
Balochistan Province, Pakistan. The overall average trend of cationic
and anionic distributions is found in the order of and , respectively. Average ionic composition on Stiff diagram shows ( as one of the principal ionic pair, while ionic balance among and have shown an imbalance. On Piper diagram, majority of the groundwater samples in the study area are of NaCl type. The versus versus anions, and Cl versus
ratios signify influence of seawater intrusion in the coastal strip of
Gwadar District. The impact of seawater encroachment in the coastal
regions has also been proved by hydrochemical facies evolution diagram
and Piper plots. Principal component analysis reveals three major
factors, whereas high positive loading of , , , ,
and TDS reveal association with seawater. Potassium, nitrate and
bicarbonate are in other domain; their relation with pH being rather
negative. Moreover, fluoride and carbonate should be confined to
separate realms, specifying of good relation among the two ions.
Concentrations of nitrate and fluoride are found to be higher than the
WHO permissible limit and may therefore pose a health threat to the
local population.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13369-017-2679-8
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Geochemistry of sulphate-bearing water of Akra Kaur Dam, Gwadar, Balochistan, Pakistan and its assessment for drinking and irrigation purposes
20 October 2011
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12665-011-1408-y
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The Crisis in Balochistan
Posted on February 8, 2014
https://operationpakistan.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/the-crisis-in-balochistan/
Environmental Impact
Whichever project is undertaken in Pakistan, it must not be at the expense of the society, yet this project is proving to be as costly as the many other projects undertaken. The Chief Minister of Balochistan, if not the Prime Minister himself, must surely be aware of the grave environmental dangers that such a project will cause. Coal is a dangerous pollutant; when it is burnt, a toxic yellow chemical gas is released which is likely to spread and affect not only Balochistan, but neighbouring areas of Sindh too. The release of such a toxic waste product into the atmosphere will cause respiratory diseases, acid rain, global warming, water-borne diseases, and various forms of cancer; this will not only affect buildings, but also the residents, the agriculture and animals. Has the Chief Minister of Balochistan been made aware of the damage that such a hefty project will have on the environment and his people?
Further on, water is produced as a waste product but where will it be disposed? Surely the Environmental Ministry, either central or provincial, if not both, should probe into such a sudden but deadly decision being taken by the new Government to address the increasing concerns of the Gadani project, as well as researching what precautions will be taken to prevent the toxic gas from spreading far and affecting neighbouring cities. On a wider scale, International organisations are currently watching Global Warming and it must not be mistaken that the Gadani project will speed up Global Warming at an alarming rate and damage the Ozone Layer more so than it already is.
Power plants that are to be introduced are first studied and an Environmental Impact Assessment is undertaken to measure the extent of the social and environmental impact; however, according to Asif Shuja Khan, the Director General of Pakistan Environment Protection agency, no such assessment has been undertaken in relation the Gadani project; environmentalists are concerned that the usage of coal will cause pollution of Sulphur Dioxide, Carbon Dioxide, Greenhouse Gases and Carbon Particulates which already exist in our atmosphere.
The American Lung Association published a recent report in which it is declared that in 1 year, 13,000 people die on average, due to coal pollution. Furthermore, in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, findings show that the United States spends approximately $500 billion per year on health problems related to coal. The study also discovered that over $185 billion is spent per year on cancer, lung disease, and respiratory illnesses such as asthma and heart attacks which are caused by pollutant emissions. Perhaps this is why America has closed over 280 coal plants and has taken measures to prevent premature death. Has our Government taken the time out to assess these issues? Does our Government, and our Environmental ministries not realise that a coal plant must use a supply of excess water, without which the coal plants cannot function? Where does the Government plan to extract such a large quantity of water? And once it has been used, where will the toxic waste produced, be disposed?
Who will benefit
Are we to be duped once again like the Saindak project where several gold mines were given to a Chinese company and from the returns of which 50% was taken by China and 48% to Islamabad, leaving Balochistan with 2%, taking their rights and their gold simultaneously. The residents of Balochistan did not benefit once more and it seems as though they are to fall prey to the Government’s plans once again.
More than the financial impact is the pressing concern of the health risks; Gadani is approximately 52 km away from Karachi, and Karachi has a population of 20 million. The technology which is being brought in to initiate the coal-powered Gadani project is inevitably Chinese and it is significant to note that China was itself preparing to build a 2000 Mega Watt coal-power plant, at Shenzhen, which has a population of 10 million (half of that of Karachi) and is 50 km away from Hong Kong (around the same distance as Karachi is from Gadani). Such plans were met with vehement objection from the people of Hong Kong, the Parliamentarians, and the Congress who were extremely irked at falling subject to the environment hazards, as well as the people of Shenzhen; so much so that the Chinese government had no choice but to scrap the project due to the pressure. Hong Kong later passed a ban which forbade any further coal-based projects from being set up within Hong Kong or its neighboring areas. It is ironic that the very country who had to terminate a project in fear of the damage it may cause its citizens is now opening a power plant, three times more intense, in Pakistan. Is it fair that the people of Pakistan become victim to such an unhealthy decision made by its own Government? Senior Analyst Shaheen Sehbai says that, “After 6 months, Karachi will be blackened; its buildings will be blackened; people’s faces will be blackened.” Perhaps Sehbai forgot to add that our morals have also been blackened and we fail to take an interest of issues that are a matter of deep concern to our fellow citizens.
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Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil and Groundwater at Leather Industrial Area of Kasur, Pakistan
2013
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/clen.201100715
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Heavy metal pollution assessment in various industries of Pakistan
21 August 2007
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00254-007-0980-7
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Drinking Water Quality Status and Contamination in Pakistan
2017
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2017/7908183/
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Microbial contamination of drinking water in Pakistan—a review
25 July 2014
Abstract
Water pollution with pathogenic microorganisms is one of the serious
threats to human health, particularly in developing countries. The main
objective of this article is to highlight microbial contamination of
drinking water, the major factors responsible for microbial
contamination, and the resulting health problems in Pakistan.
Furthermore, this study will be helpful for researchers and
administrative agencies to initiate relevant studies and develop new
policies to protect further deterioration of water supply with
pathogenic microbes and ensure clean and safe drinking water to the
public in Pakistan. In Pakistan, water at the source, in the
distribution network, and at the consumer tap is heavily polluted with
coliforms and fecal coliforms all over the country. An overview of more
than 7,000 water samples reviewed here reveals that an average of over
71 and 58 % samples in the country was contaminated with total coliforms
and fecal coliforms, respectively. Drinking water contamination
accounts for 20 to 40 % of all diseases in the country, which causes
national income losses of Rs 25–58 billion annually (US$0.25–0.58
billion, approximately 0.6–1.44 % of the country’s GDP). Improper
disposal of industrial and municipal wastes is the most important factor
responsible for water pollution in the country followed by
cross-contamination due to old and leaking pipes and lack of water
filtration and disinfection facilities. There is an urgent need for
emergency steps to stop further deterioration of water quality and
improve the existing water quality so as to protect the public from
widespread waterborne diseases.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-014-3348-z
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Geology and geophysics of the foreland fold-thrust belt of northwestern Pakistan
1988-09-29
https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/6m311t70q?locale=en
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Groundwater status in Pakistan: A review of contamination, health risks, and potential needs
December 2017
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321808672_Groundwater_status_in_Pakistan_A_review_of_contamination_health_risks_and_potential_needs
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Construction of Dam on Kabul River and its Socio-Economic Implication for Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan
February 2016
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Water pollution in Pakistan and its impact on public health--A review
2010
https://www.academia.edu/1129345/Water_pollution_in_Pakistan_and_its_impact_on_public_health_A_review
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16 Mysteriously Interesting Facts About the Indus River
Originating in Tibet, the Indus River flows through Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir, and western Tibet, to finally meet the Arabian Sea. ScienceStruck gives you some interesting facts about this river.
https://sciencestruck.com/facts-about-indus-river
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Irrigation in Pakistan: Water theft drains Indus canals dry
January 4, 2019
Rampant theft from Pakistan’s irrigation canals, in collusion with influential politicians and the military, means farmers downstream can no longer grow crops
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/food/pakistan-irrigation/
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Effects of Erosion on Indus River Bio-diversity in Pakistan
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjbs.2003.1035.1040
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Channel-levee complexes and sediment flux of the upper Indus Fan
2014
https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2235&context=gradschool_theses
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Impact of reduction in upstream fresh water and sediment discharge in Indus deltaic region
April 2017
https://innspub.net/jbes/impact-reduction-upstream-fresh-water-sediment-discharge-indus-deltaic-region/
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Monitoring Suspended Sediment Concentrations in Surface
Waters of the Indus River, Pakistan from ALOS Data
https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ALOS/conf/Proc_PIsymp2007/contents/proceedings/Hydrology/HYD05.pdf
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Spatially distributed erosion and sediment yield modeling in the upper Indus River basin
03 August 2010
Spatially distributed erosion rates and
sediment yields are predicted in the mountainous upper Indus River basin
with coupled models of erosion and sediment delivery. Potential erosion
rates are calculated with the Thornes model in combination with a
surface runoff model. Sediment delivery ratios (SDRs) are hypothesized
to be a function of travel time of surface runoff from catchment cells
to the nearest downstream channel. Modeled monthly erosion rates for the
upper Indus River basin indicate that 87% of the annual gross erosion
takes place in the three summer months. The erosion risk map suggests
that the areas with the greatest erosion potential are concentrated in
subbasins with high relief and a substantial proportion of glacierized
area. Lower erosion rates can be explained by the arid climate and low
relief on the Tibetan Plateau and by the dense vegetation and lower
relief in the lower monsoon subregion. High erosion rates (>1.0 mm a−1) occur over 66.4% of the basin area. The model predicts an average annual erosion rate of 3.2 mm a−1 or 868 Mt a−1,
which is approximately 4.5 times the long-term observed annual sediment
yield of the basin. The predicted annual basin sediment yield is 244 Mt
a−1, which compares reasonably well to the measured value of 195.1 Mt a−1.
The overall sediment delivery ratio in the basin is calculated as 0.28.
Model results indicate that higher delivery ratios (SDR > 0.6) are
found in 18% of the basin area, mostly located in the high-relief
subbasins. The sediment delivery ratio is lower than 0.2 in 70% of the
basin area. The Indus subbasins generally show an increase of sediment
delivery ratio with basin area. Model evaluation based on accuracy
statistics suggest “very good” to “satisfactory” performance ratings for
predicted sediment yields. The presented modeling framework requires
relatively few data, all of which can be derived from global data sets.
It therefore can be used to predict erosion and sediment yield in other
ungaged or poorly gaged drainage basins.
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2009WR008762
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Microplastics pollution in the Brahmaputra River and the Indus River of the Indian Himalaya
2021
Highlights
Microplastics in shore sediment of Brahmaputra River and Indus River were studied.
Fragmented, 20 ̶150 μm size microplastics dominated the samples.
Polypropylene and polyethylene were most abundantly found.
Anthropogenic activities and hydrological factors impacted microplastics distribution.
Surface morphology of microplastics showed mechanical and oxidative weathering.
Abstract
Rivers act as temporary sinks of microplastics and a key medium
allowing microplastics to enter the ocean. In this study, microplastics
pollution in river shore sediment of the Indian Himalaya, including the
Brahmaputra River and the Indus River was discussed. Sampling campaigns
were performed in years 2018 and 2019. Sample pretreatment was performed using Na2WO4·2H2O for density separation and H2O2
for oxidation of organic material. Microplastics analysis was performed
by using FTIR microscope. The smaller size of microplastics 20–150 μm
were more abundant (531–3485 MP/kg in the Brahmaputra River and 525–1752
MP/kg in the Indus River) than microplastics in size range between 150
μm and 5 mm (20–240 MP/kg in the Brahmaputra River and 60–340 MP/kg in
the Indus River). Microplastics were found in sediments of all sampling
sites. Fragmented, secondary microplastics were dominant in the river
shore sediment of the Indian Himalaya. This study contributes towards
filling research gap of microplastics in India's freshwater source and
highlights the importance of in-depth complete studies of microplastics
in the rivers that act as pathways and sinks for microplastics.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721030394
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‘Indus second most plastic-polluted river in the world’
October 24, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1512547
KARACHI: While Pakistan’s plastic manufacturing industry is thriving at an average annual growth rate of 15 per cent, campaigns aimed at making countries and oceans plastic-free are gaining strength across the world.
An estimated 624,200 tonnes of plastic is being produced annually in Pakistan, home to some 6, 000 plastic products’ manufacturers. The Indus River contributes 164,332 tonnes of plastic waste (to the sea) annually.
These points were raised at a seminar titled ‘An approach to the solution of plastic pollution’, which was organised on Wednesday in memory of Prof Mustafa Shameel by the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization at Karachi University (KU).
Highlighting the hazards of plastic, Dr Anjum Nawab, assistant professor at the KU’s department of food science and technology, said major chemicals used in the manufacturing of plastic were highly toxic and cannot be digested by the earth even in centuries, which was why it posed a serious threat to living beings of all species on earth.
Toxic chemicals contained in plastic, according to her, cause neurological problems, cancer, birth defects, hormonal changes, gastric ulcer, thyroid problems and cardiovascular diseases.
To address plastic pollution, she suggested the strategy of reducing (the use of) and reusing (non-toxic plastic containers) plastic products.
She also recommended the use of different types of biodegradable plastics.
Sharing some data during her presentation, Shahzeen Pervaiz representing the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan said annually almost eight million tonnes of plastic entered oceans globally, which meant plastic accounted for 60 to 80 per cent of marine garbage.
“The Indus River is the second most polluted river with plastic in the world while the first, third and fourth polluted rivers belong to China. The Nile River in Africa is fifth in this list,” she said.
According to her, the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic widely used for packing food, beverages, especially soft drinks, juices and water, is not biodegradable and contaminates waterways and causes death of marine animals when they ingest it.
She also spoke about the campaign launched by UN Environment (UNEP) and its partners working closely with African governments to establish policies and create programmes that were geared towards a plastic-free continent.
In 2017 UNEP launched CleanSeas, with the aim to engage governments, the general public, civil society and the private sector in the fight against marine plastic litter, she pointed out.
Acting KU Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Mahmood Iraqi talked about the role society could play in tackling plastic pollution.
“We must reduce the use of plastic to zero and adopt alternate means. People should cooperate with authorities to promote plastic-free practices,” he said.
Dr Hina Shehnaz, an assistant professor at the department of environmental sciences at Sindh Madressatul Islam University and ORIC director Prof Alyia Rehman also spoke.
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Indus is second most polluted river with plastic, speaker tells KU event
October 24, 2019
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/545282-indus-is-second-most-polluted-river-with-plastic-speaker-tells-ku-event
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WETLANDS IN PAKISTAN:
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEM?
June 2010
https://pecongress.org.pk/images/upload/books/Wetlands%20in%20Pakistan%20What%20is%20Happening%20to%20Them%20(5).pdf
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The Indus River and Agriculture in Pakistan
8 December 2015
https://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/the-indus-river-and-agriculture-in-pakistan/
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Impact of city effluents on water quality of Indus River: assessment of temporal and spatial variations in the southern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2018
Abstract
The impact of city effluents on water quality of Indus River was
assessed in the southern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Water
samples were collected in dry (DS) and wet (WS) seasons from seven
sampling zones along Indus River and the physical, bacteriological, and
chemical parameters determining water quality were quantified. There
were marked temporal and spatial variations in the water quality of
Indus River. The magnitude of pollution was high in WS compared with DS.
The quality of water varied across the sampling zones, and it greatly
depended upon the nature of effluents entering the river. Water samples
exceeded the WHO permissible limits for pH, EC, TDS, TS, TSS, TH, DO,
BOD, COD, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Ca2+, Mg2+, NO3-, and PO42-.
Piper analysis indicated that water across the seven sampling zones
along Indus River was alkaline in nature. Correlation analyses indicated
that EC, TDS, TS, TH, DO, BOD, and COD may be considered as key
physical parameters, while Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, F-, NO3-, PO42-, and SO42-
as key chemical parameters determining water quality, because they were
strongly correlated (r > 0.70) with most of the parameters studied.
Cluster analysis indicated that discharge point at Shami Road is the
major source of pollution impairing water quality of Indus River.
Wastewater treatment plants must be installed at all discharge points
along Indus River for protecting the quality of water of this rich
freshwater resource in Pakistan.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29619770/
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Investigation of organochlorine pesticides from the Indus Basin, Pakistan: Sources, air–soil exchange fluxes and risk assessment
2014
First systemic data of OCPs from Indus River basin, Pakistan.
DDTs and HCHs were more prevalent in agricultural soils and ambient air.
Fugacity fractions revealed wide variations of OCP, showing net volatilization.
Spatial distribution inferred ubiquitous distribution of ΣDDTs in soil and air samples.
OCP above the permissible limits pose a threat to natural habitat and biodiversity.
Abstract
Present study aimed to evaluate the contamination status of organochlorine pesticides
(OCPs) and their associated potential for air–soil exchange and health
risks from ecologically important sites of the Indus Basin, Pakistan.
Among different OCPs investigated, ΣDDTs and ΣHCHs were more prevalent
compounds in the agricultural soils
and ambient air samples of the study area. The average concentrations
for DDTs were found higher at downstream agricultural sites,
particularly at Head Panjnad (Soil: 320 ng/g; Air: 743 pg/m3)
and acting as an ultimate sink of ΣOCP burden in soils. Spatial
distribution patterns inferred ubiquitous distribution of ΣDDTs in soils
and air of the study area. Source diagnostic ratios demonstrated that
studied OCPs either are illegally being used in agricultural practices
or/and they are residues of past use in the environment. Fugacity
fraction model revealed wide variations (ff = 0.12–0.94) with 20% of OCPs above equilibrium range and net volatilization of α-endosulfan, β-HCH and o,p′-DDD. Assessment of cancer risks for OCPs indicated a higher cancer risk (CR > 1 × 10− 6)
for the residents of the Indus Basin. According to the available soil
quality guidelines, DDTs and HCHs were above the permissible limits and
pose a threat to natural habitat and biodiversity of the Indus Basin.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969714010961
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Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the Indus River catchment area, Pakistan: Status, soil–air exchange and black carbon mediated distribution
2016
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were investigated in passive air and soil samples from the catchment area of the Indus River, Pakistan. ∑15OCPs ranged between 0.68 and 13.47 ng g−1 in soil and 375.1–1975 pg mˉ3 in air. HCHs and DDTs were more prevalent in soil and air compartments. Composition profile indicated that β-HCH and p,p'-DDE were the dominant of all metabolites among HCHs and DDTs respectively. Moreover, fBC and fTOC were assessed and evaluated their potential role in the distribution status of OCPs. The fTOC and fBC ranged between 0.77 and 2.43 and 0.04–0.30% respectively in soil. Regression analysis showed the strong influence of fBC than fTOC on the distribution of OCPs in the Indus River catchment area soil. Equilibrium status was observed for β-HCH, δ-HCH, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT, TC, HCB and Heptachlor with ff ranged between 0.3 and 0.59 while assessing the soil–air exchange of OCPs.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653516300248
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Significance of black carbon in the sediment–water partitioning of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the Indus River, Pakistan
2016
Highlights
First study that reports OCPs and sedimentary black carbon for ecologically important sites of the Indus River, Pakistan.
Black carbon showed potentially significant role in the sediment–water partitioning of OCPs in the Indus River.
Source diagnostic ratios indicated the technical usage of HCH and significant presence of DDT metabolites with fresh inputs into the Indus River.
Abstract
This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the levels and black carbon mediated sediment–water partitioning of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) from the Indus River. ∑OCPs ranged between 52−285 ng L−1 and 5.6–29.2 ng g−1 in water and sediment samples respectively. However, the ranges of sedimentary fraction of total organic carbon (fTOC) and black carbon (fBC)
were 0.82–2.26% and 0.04–0.5% respectively. Spatially, OCPs
concentrations were higher at upstream sites as compared to downstream
sites. Source diagnostic ratios indicated the technical usage of HCH (α-HCH/γ-HCH>4)
and significant presence of DDT metabolites with fresh inputs into the
Indus River as indicated by the ratios of (DDE+DDD)/∑DDTs (0.27–0.96).
The partitioning of OCPs between the sediments and water can be
explained by two carbon Freundlich adsorption model which included both
organic carbon and black carbon pools as partitioning media.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0147651315302141
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Hexachlorocyclohexane toxicity in water bodies of Pakistan: challenges and possible reclamation technologies
March 26 2021
https://iwaponline.com/wst/article/83/10/2345/81194/Hexachlorocyclohexane-toxicity-in-water-bodies-of
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River Indus Bank garbage dumping, out siders broken benches installed on river indus bank in DIKhan
Jul 7, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gR5qFVn3Pg
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India, Pakistan, Water and the Indus Basin: Old Problems New Challenges
2017
https://www.academia.edu/34040149/India_Pakistan_Water_and_the_Indus_Basin_Old_Problems_New_Challenges
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Managing Groundwater Resources in Pakistan’s Indus Basin
March 25, 2021
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/03/25/managing-groundwater-resources-in-pakistan-indus-basin
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Environmental Problems of River Indus
2010
https://www.academia.edu/7567614/Environmental_Problems_of_River_Indus
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Indus River
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_River#Pollution
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Water pollution by PLA in Ng Tung River (River Indus)
May 1, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UNtIklIK5A
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Estimating the pollution characteristics and health risks of potentially toxic metal(loid)s in urban-industrial soils in the Indus basin, Pakistan
2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31724064/
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Spatial Analysis of Soil Salinity in the Indus River Delta, Pakistan
June, 2019
Abstract
Soil salinization is one of the most damaging environmental problems in
coastal areas, including Indus River Delta (IRD). Due to the reduction
of flow in the Indus basin, saline water from the Arabian Sea is
intruding into the IRD and has degraded the agricultural lands
drastically. Focusing on the gravity of the problem, the present study
was designed to explore the spatial distribution of soil salinity in the
IRD. Physicochemical analysis of 375 soil samples randomly collected
from 125 different locations within the study area was used. Analysis
revealed that for the top 0-20cm of soil, about 66.4% of the samples had
electrical conductivity (EC) values, and 72.8% sodium content (ESP)
values higher than the FAO guidelines. Similarly, for soil depth of
20-40cm, 60.8% of the EC values, and 72% of ESP exceeded the safe
limits. Finally, for 40-60cm of soil depth, 56.8% of the EC values and
79.2% of the ESP values were higher than the safe limits. Spatial
analysis revealed that more than 50% of the IRD samples were affected by
soil salinity. Reduced freshwater flow and the entry of saline water
into the delta may likely be the causes of soil salinity in the IRD.
https://etasr.com/index.php/ETASR/article/view/2818
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Discharge characteristics and sediment load from rivers of northern Indus basin, Pakistan
1997
https://www.academia.edu/7913105/Discharge_characteristics_and_sediment_load_from_rivers_of_northern_Indus_basin_Pakistan
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Table 7 Estimated daily intake (DI) (μg/kg body weight) of selected pesticides by an adult person of 60-kg body weight consuming 100-g fish per day and the potential risk as total toxic units (∑TU) for the human population around the Indus River
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-015-4273-4/tables/7
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Arsenic alarm for Indus River basin
September 12, 2017
https://dailytimes.com.pk/117340/arsenic-alarm-for-indus-river-basin/
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Indus Delta’s unique ‘Kharai’ camels on verge of extinction
October 29, 2017
https://dailytimes.com.pk/131780/indus-deltas-unique-kharai-camels-verge-extinction/
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42 rare ibex died of a viral disease at Khirthar park, PA told
March 23, 2016
KARACHI: At least 42 highly rare Sindh Ibex, an endangered species, died of a viral disease in the Khirthar National Park (KNP) sometime back, the Sindh Assembly was informed on Tuesday.
The information was provided by wildlife minister Gayanchand Essarani through a written reply during the question hour, which pertained to the Sindh wildlife department (SWD).
The reply said the ibex were infected and died of viral disease Peste Des Petists Ruminants in the KNP.
The reply said the department planned to strengthen precautionary measures to provide initial pathological services for the wild and domestic animals in the Khirthar Protected Areas Complex. It said that if needed, any complicated cases would also be referred to the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Tando Jam and/ or the National Veterinary Laboratory at Islamabad or abroad for detailed investigations.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1247377
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Pakistan’s mountain farmers revive the upper Indus basin
August 7, 2014
A timely watershed management programme in Pakistan has helped revive mountain streams and regenerate deforested slopes while giving village communities hope that farming will once again be viable
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/watershed-for-pakistans-mountain-farmers/
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Indus Delta: Communities extremely vulnerable to natural calamities: experts
11 Nov 2020
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40031963
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Save Indus River
2018
https://saveindusriver.com/2018/09/10/indus-water-pollution/
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Water Scarcity and the India-Pakistan Indus Water Treaty
Jan 12, 2018
https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/water-scarcity-and-india-pakistan-indus-water-treaty
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Pakistan to launch campaign against India over Indus Treaty: Report
Oct 23, 2018
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/politics/pakistan-to-launch-campaign-against-india-over-indus-treaty-report/articleshow/66329044.cms
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Pandemic lockdowns resulted in reduced snow and ice melt in Indus River Basin
April 27, 2021
https://phys.org/news/2021-04-pandemic-lockdowns-resulted-ice-indus.html
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India and Pakistan at Odds Over Shrinking Indus River
October 13, 2011
Irrigation and hydroelectric projects are draining the river's flow, while glaciers are melting in Kashmir.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/111012-india-pakistan-indus-river-water
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How India and Pakistan are competing over the mighty Indus river
21 February 2019
It is time all countries in the Indus basin acknowledge their dependence on each other and discuss joint solutions
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/how-india-and-pakistan-are-competing-over-the-mighty-indus-river-63321
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The Indus dolphin is struggling in India, thriving in Pakistan
17 July 2020
https://india.mongabay.com/2020/07/the-indus-dolphin-is-struggling-in-india-thriving-in-pakistan/
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One of world's rarest dolphins rebounding in Pakistan
June 18, 2020
Rescue efforts have boosted the Indus dolphin’s numbers, but dams on the Indus River continue to disrupt the marine mammal’s movements.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/rare-indus-dolphins-rebounding-pakistan
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Foe to friend: Fishermen join fight to save endangered Pakistan dolphin
15 July 2021
https://ugolini.co.th/ugolini/foe-to-friend-fishermen-join-fight-to-save-endangered-pakistan-dolphin/
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Chapter Eight - A Review of the Status of the Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin (Sousa plumbea) in Pakistan
2015
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0065288115000644
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No sawfish reported in Pakistani waters in last two years: WWF-Pakistan
19 October 2020
https://www.wwfpak.org/?364917/No-sawfish-reported-in-Pakistani-waters-in-last-two-years-WWF-Pakistan
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Once abundant sawfish near extinction
October 20, 2020
WWF-Pakistan, experts call for conservation, highlight threats, risks
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2269088/once-abundant-sawfish-near-extinction
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Experts say sawfish species have become extinct
20 Oct 2020
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40027454
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Another large whale found dead (Pakistan)
August 26th, 2013. KARACHI – Local fishermen of Damb village near Sonminai, Balochistan found the corpse of a dead bryde’s whale deep inside the Miani Hor Lagoon, about 15 kilometres from entrance to the open ocean. The body was decomposed and its parts were lying scattered on the beach.
https://whalesandmarinefauna.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/another-large-whale-found-dead-pakistan/
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An initial assessment of tidal energy resources using GIS for Miani Hor, Baluchistan province, Pakistan
2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12517-020-5191-5
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Seasonal variability of phytoplankton in a coastal lagoon and
adjacent open sea in Pakistan
2013
https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/botany/issues/bot-13-37-2/bot-37-2-18-1201-6.pdf
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Diversity, Distribution and Abundance of Zooplanktonic Larvae in Pakistani Waters
2006
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjbs.2006.610.615
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Delta diversity
The Indus River Delta forms where the Indus River flows into the Arabian Sea, creating a complex system of swamps, streams and mangrove forests. Reduced river flows are threatening the survival of many species found here, including one of the world's rarest dolphins.
https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/indus_delta/
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Ignored by Pakistan, the Indus delta is being lost to the sea
May 5, 2020
If authorities do not act fast, the Indus delta will cease to exist, spurring mass migration and huge ecological consequences
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/energy/pakistan-indus-delta/
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'Indus delta has shrunk by 92% since 1833'
March 03, 2018
Researchers at MUET's centre for studies in water present alarming results of their study
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1649523/1-indus-delta-shrunk-92-since-1833
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Encroaching sea levels endanger Pakistan's Indus Delta
July 6, 2015
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2015/07/06/Encroaching-sea-levels-endanger-Pakistans-Indus-Delta/81426308686765/
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Pakistan’s Indus delta becoming no man’s land with sea level rise and dams upstream
July 31, 2019
https://www.firstpost.com/long-reads/pakistans-indus-delta-becoming-no-mans-land-with-sea-level-rise-and-dams-upstream-7081341.html
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Pakistan’s Indus delta becoming no man’s land
July 29, 2019
People are leaving their villages en masse as they cannot farm, cannot fish and have no freshwater, thanks to sea level rise and dams upstream
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/pakistans-indus-delta/
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Threat to Indus Delta eco-system
May 3, 2004
Pakistan's coastline of 1,050 km comprises two major lines: Sindh and Balochistan. The Sindh coast, about 350 km in length, extends from Karachi to the Indian border.
In Sindh, the continental shelf is vast and broad, extending to a distance of 110 km from the coast which is indented by a number of creeks and the Indus Delta.
The Delta- the region where the sweet waters of the Indus meet with the seawater had been among the eco-systems richest in the natural resources of fishing and agriculture in the past.
Built up by the discharge of large quantity of silt washed down the Indus ecosystem has been rich in nutrients that provide a nursery and an early feeding ground for many varieties of shrimp and fish.
The Indus which flows for about 1,800 miles within Pakistan territory could be considered as its economic lifeline. Arising at 5,100 meters elevation in the southwest Tibet, crossing from the east to west over to Ladakh in India, it enters Pakistan at Bagh-i-Darband in north western Baltistan.
Thus, 40 per cent of its watershed lies outside of Pakistan. The river forms unique delta eco-system along the Sindh coast, which is now fast loosing its original state.
The Indus Delta originally occupied an area of 600,000 hectares consisting of creeks, mudflats and forests between Karachi in the north and the Rann of Kutch in the south.
In all, there are 17 major creeks making up the 200 km mouth of the original delta with the sea. In fact, there are innumerable creeks of the Indus in the deltaic region, Manora being the extreme right in the west and Seer creek, the extreme left in the east.
Due to the reduced water-flow below Kotri, only Hajamaro and Kharak creeks now receive water from the Indus Delta and there is only one main outlet to the sea, the Khobar creek. The active delta is now only 10 per cent of its original area.
Mangroves: Mangroves forest in the Indus Delta was spread over some 700, 000 acres and was once the 6th largest forest of its kind in the world. Now it provides fuel in the shape of wood to approximately 120,000 people, forage to 16,000 camels and other products to 28,570 households. The forest owes its sustenance to nutrient-loaded silt in the estuaries. Mangroves also act as shield against active tidal erosion in the area.
The mangroves in the Indus Delta are predominately Avicennia marina. Four out of the original eight recorded species remain as such although Rhizophora mucronata has been re - introduced. There has been a significant reduction in mangroves cover (from around 263,000 ha in 1978 to around 158,500 ha in 1990 and more recently to only 80,000 ha according to a study by WWF-Pakistan).
Ecosystem and wildlife: Mangroves eco-system are considered to be important for many of the commercial species. Its total fish production is estimated to be about 350,000 tons.
Within the Indus Delta, the main catches are the small pelagics. In 1988 the landings from the creeks was estimated to be about 96,410 tons, but many other species rely upon the creeks as nursery grounds.
Threat: Unsustainable commercial pursuits have destroyed the very ecology of the river Indus resulting in an environmental disaster wherein human habitat has almost vanished as it keeps migrating.
The province of Punjab at the upstream started developing agriculture as for back in 1830 AD. The agriculture of lower riparian Sindh took an organized shape when the largest irrigation system of the world-the Lloyd Barrage- was constructed at Sukkur in 1932 AD.
Prior to 1830 AD, the flow of Indus water downstream Kotri barrage to the sea was 150 maf. By then, the Indus delta, as the western authors maintained, had grown as 'garden' area of Sindh. Today, such a quantum of water is not available even in the whole Indus river system. It ranges from 104 to 114 maf.
With complete stoppage of the fresh sweet water from the river to the sea, the ocean has started hitting back. The oceanic encroachment on the Sindh Coast has initiated the process of desertification in the fertile Indus valley.
The official figure of water flow downstream Kotri barrage in the year 2000 was 0.725 maf as against of 10 maf envisaged in the 1991 water accord while as per expert opining of the IUCN (International Union of Nature Conservation) at least 27 maf of water has to be released to the sea for preservation of the ecology of the tail end of the Indus river.
Pollution: Pollution is a major threat in the Karachi area, also affecting mangroves in particular and the sea life in general. Very large volumes of the untreated domestic sewage and industrial effluents flow through nullahs and rivers into the sea.
Of the nearly 300 million gallons per day (mgd) of freshwater consumed by Karachi, more than 70 per cent of domestic sewage and industrial effluents are dumped untreated into the sea.
In addition, much of the solid waste of Karachi ends up in the same nullahs and rivers, which carry sewage into the sea, because of municipal failure both in collection and disposal of solid waste. The port activities at Karachi and nearby Bin Qasim further pollute the sea.
The effects of pollution extend from degradation of breeding areas to poisoned stocks of adult fish. At the extreme, natural habitats can be virtually destroyed as in the surroundings of Baba and Bhit islands. In other ways, fisher-folk have to bear the burden of pollution.
Dredging is an annual feature in both Karachi and Bin Qasim ports. The resulting turbidity devastates marine life at both dredging and dumping sites. Since dumping is in the open sea, strong wave action necessitates additional subsequent dredging operations. Oil refineries and terminals are another source of pollution:
Destructive nets: The nets that are being used these days lead to reduced breeding. The non-indigenous fishermen such as Bengalis and Burmese use fine-mesh nets which cause damage to the breeding of fish. Traditional rules prohibited the use of Bholo Gujjo and Chapal Gujjo nets, to stop fish from dying and polluting the area, and to prevent catching of juvenile fish.
Foreign trawlers also pollute the sea. From their catch they select living big fish and throw away smaller dead fish back into the sea. Their nets pull in all sizes of fish, catching small varieties like Mangar and Dothar.
This hurts fish breeding. In a fortnight, one ship catches thousands of tons of fish. But then they keep only the selected fish, and throw the rest back. Since it is already dead, this wastage also wrecks the sea.
Even though the government has set limits, these trawlers fish wherever they like. Instead of staying beyond 35 miles, the trawlers fish as close as 10 miles. Sometimes they are hardly a mile away.
In Sindh, all marine pollution in territorial waters can be controlled through enforcement of the Sindh Fisheries Ordinance 1980, with necessary amendments to cover agricultural effluent.
Likewise in Balochistan, the Balochistan Sea Fisheries Ordinance 1971 may be amended to add a clause on marine pollution. For reducing local over-fishing in territorial waters, provincial laws are already quite comprehensive.
But the most important factor is the implementation of the laws of the land. Since landings of foreign trawlers take place at harbour located in provincial waters, provincial agencies can help control poaching in particular and over fishing in general. At the top, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 covers broad range of environment including the marine environment.
Provincial efforts for conservation and protection of fisher folk are likely to be far more effective when federal actions are complementary to provincial regulations. A more threatening 'deep sea fishing' policy has been recently amended in 2000. Under the amended version big trawlers have been allowed to fish within the previously declared buffer zone of 12 nautical miles.
This policy has serious implications on the community livelihoods. A recently conducted community consultation by Shirkatgah with the support of WWF-Pakistan has revealed that the coastal communities of Sindh and Balochistan have serious reservations on the deep sea fishing policy.
https://www.dawn.com/news/357925/threat-to-indus-delta-eco-system
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Land Use---Iron Pollution in Mangrove Habitat of Karachi, Indus Delta
2004
https://www.academia.edu/4977965/Land_Use_Iron_Pollution_in_Mangrove_Habitat_of_Karachi_Indus_Delta
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Metal contamination in Sunairi Point sediment core along Karachi coast, Pakistan
20 March 2021
This paper describes the pollution level in sediment core collected from
Sunairi Point of Karachi coastal area Pakistan. The sediment was
characterized in terms of particle size, pH, total organic carbon,
calcium carbonate, metals and mineralogical composition of sediments.
The metals were determined using proton induced X-ray emission. It
appeared from the results of grain size that sediment of core was mainly
sandy in nature and neutral pH was observed throughout the core. The
calcium carbonate in the core sediment seemed to be dependent on the pH
outline of the sediment. The results of heavy metals in the sediment
core indicated a significant upward enrichment in heavy metals with the
highest concentrations found in the upper most layer sediments, may be
due to anthropogenic activities, which could be the cause of upward
enrichment in heavy metals. The pollution load index values, although
showed no pollution, but showing an increasing trend from bottom to top
in core, may be due to the influence of anthropogenic sources. The
average geo-accumulation index values for sediment core showed that
sediments were moderately polluted with Co and Pb. The results of
sediment quality guidelines of United States Environmental Protection
Agency, indicated, sediment of core was moderately polluted with Ni and
Zn. It was concluded from the guidelines that heavy metals in sediment
may cause danger to aquatic life. It was also inferred from the study
that Sunairi Point area of Karachi coast is facing moderately metals
pollution which increased with time.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10967-021-07666-3
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Oil spill affecting marine life near Karachi coast: WWF-P
October 27, 2018
Green turtles, crab and fishes are dying
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1834860/1-oil-spill-affecting-marine-life-near-karachi-coast-wwf-p
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A Massive Oil Spill On Pakistan's Coastline Is Threatening All Sea Life And No One’s Taking Responsibility
26 Oct, 2018
https://www.mangobaaz.com/pakistan-big-oil-spill-byco
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Man behind oil spill at Mubarak village ‘identified’
December 17, 2018
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1868314/1-man-behind-oil-spill-mubarak-village-identified
The Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Zaidi has said the one who polluted the beautiful shore of Mubarak village has been identified.
In a tweet, the federal minister said the captain of the ship approaching Gadani ship breaking yard deliberately spilled oil in sea near the shore of Karachi which caused pollution in the sea. He added that Maritime Security Agency had been directed to start an inquiry immediately against the captain responsible for negligence.
The minister said that he had fulfilled his promise of finding out the person involved in polluting the shore and punishing him according to the law. He said strict disciplinary action would be taken against the importer of the ship as well as ship company in light of the inquiry report.
Oil spill was found on the shore of the Mubarak Village in the last week of October. The oil was collected and shifted to another location in many days of efforts of Pakistan Navy.
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PMSA begins cleanup of Mubarak Village oil spill: PDMA
October 26, 2018
Tar and oil are wreaking havoc on the entire stretch of coast from Mubarak Village to Churna Island.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1441478
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Tasman Spirit oil spill in Pakistan: research response and lessons learned
2012 Apr 2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22473418/
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It’s pollution again
April 5, 2020
Environmental pollution once again threatens a beach at the far end of Sindh’s coastline
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/638926-its-pollution-again
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SPECIAL: Woes of Sindh to shake Pakistan’s fragile ecosystem
5th July, 2021
https://www.daily-sun.com/post/562775/SPECIAL:-Woes-of-Sindh-to-shake-Pakistan%E2%80%99s-fragile-ecosystem
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Lake Manchar is dead
31 August 2004
Pakistan's largest freshwater lake is drowned by effluents
Located 18 kilometres west of Sehwan in Dadu
district of Sindh and 300 kilometres north of Karachi, Manchar is a vast
natural depression surrounded by Khirthar Range hills in the West, the
Lakki hills in the East and a flood embankment in the Northeast. It is
Pakistan's biggest freshwater lake; some even say it is Asia's biggest
lake, though that is debatable. But today it would be more apt to
describe Manchar as a grim cesspool of agricultural effluents, including
pesticides.
How did that happen? The
lake's misfortune can be traced back to 1982, when Pakistani authorities
remodelled the Main Nara Valley Drain: built in 1932 by British
colonialists to control floods in the Hammal Lake in southern Sindh and
to protect the low-lying areas of the province, the water body was now
turned into a drain to carry industrial runoff and agricultural
effluents into the Arabian Sea. But then how did that affect the
Manchar? The remodelled drain -- now called the Right Bank Outfall Drain
-- did not work and was redirected to Manchar. The authorities assumed
that freshwater from the Indus and from the torrents that gush down the
Kirthar hills during the rainy season -- the two sources of the lake --
would dilute the effluents. That was a big mistake. For, Manchar's two
sources don't provide it enough water to clean effluents. Flows from the
Indus are drying up because of barrages and dams in its upstream.
Moreover, the thinning down of Himalayan glaciers means that rainfall in
Sindh is extremely erratic; so the Manchar does not receive much water
from the torrents either. Environmentalists Naseer Memon and Zubaida
Birwani note that, "The mean annual rainfall in Dadu is 4.43 inches
(112.5 millimetres) while annual evaporation is about 80 inches (2,000
millimetres). Therefore, very little runoff is generated in catchments
of hill torrents. The lake gets recharged only when there is heavy
rainfall, which usually happens once in three years."
A community vanishes
This has meant that Manchar can provide scarce support to
communities who have lived by it for centuries -- perhaps even ages.
Amongst them are fisherfolk called the Mohanas. Architect and town
planner Arif Hasan -- who also writes on environmental issues -- says,
"Folklore has it that the Mohanas are descendants of people of the Indus
Valley Civilisation. Some suggest that the word Mohenjodaro is a
corruption of Mohana-jo-daro -- the tomb of Mohanas." They are a fast
dwindling community today. According to Ghulam Mustafa Mirani,
vice-chairperson, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, "There were once 60,000
Mohanas at the lake. Their population has dropped to 25,000 today
because of droughts over the last five year and increasing effluents in
the lake." (See graph: Rising poison)
The community's source of livelihood has suffered a lot. As per a report of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (sdpi)
-- an independent think-tank based in Islamabad --the fish catch in the
Manchar has fallen from 3,000 tonnes to less than 100 tonnes in 2003.
"Before 1999, I could catch about 20-25 kilogrammes (kg) of fish every
day. Today, it has come down to 5-6 kg," laments Analdal, a member of
the Mohana community. Rues another Mohana, Haji Karim, "We used to eat
fish and roots of aquatic plants. It was like a free meal. We only
brought wheat and rice. Manchar was like a cup; it has now turned into
an empty saucer."
The effluent-ridden lake water is no
longer fit for drinking. So, the Mohanas have to purchase drinking water
from a supply facility at the embankment. Each bucketful costs 5
Pakistani Rs. And there is crisis when water cannot be pumped out during
power breakdowns.
The sinking lake has also put paid to the
livelihoods of hundreds of agriculturists who diverted its waters
through small canals, phats, and then used the lake-bed for
farming. According to Memon, "This method relied on filling the lake
during monsoons and then drawing out water to uncover cultivable land on
which wheat was grown." He notes that, "The lake was filled to about
113 feet by September end and was reduced to 106 feet in October. In the
process, about 26,000 acres of land was uncovered for farming." But
today, Manchar doesn't have enough water and the lake-bed farmers have
no work.
And that is not the end of their woes: the lake's
toxic waters have played havoc on the health of their livestock.
According to Behram Chachar, team leader veterinary project, Indus
Resource Centre (a non-governmental organisation that promotes informal
education in Sindh), "Viral diseases, such as rinder pest and foot and
mouth, and bacterial diseases such as haemorrhage septicemia and black
quarter have become common among livestock. The animals in the area are
also plagued by tympina/bloat and acidosis."
An unwelcoming place
The lake's once-rich marine and aquatic life has also suffered.
Mirani lists about 10 fish species that can still be found in Manchar
but says that their diversity and numbers were much higher, even a few
years back. In the past, the lake waters were kept at 112-reduced level (rl,
the lake's water height with respect to mean sea-level). The surplus
was diverted to the Indus; "fish seeds" swam into the lake against the
flow of the Indus-bound waters. The process was a boon for the Mohanas,
for these little creatures would grow up to weigh a tasty 2.5
kilogrammes. That's a thing of the past now. For, even with good rains
last year Manchar's water level reached only 108.2 rl.
I
n the past, the lake was the winter home to numerous migratory birds
species. Since it was the first wetland on their route, Manchar during
winters was redolent with a host of migratory bird species. In fact,
according to the environmentalist Shujaudin Qureshi, "About
20,000-30,000 birds still visit the lake every year." However, Qureshi
also adds that pollution has caused a drastic fall in their numbers.
Mirani also notes that migratory birds do visit the lake, but fly off
after an overnight stay.
It is clear: Manchar is dying and its water can now kill.
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/coverage/lake-manchar-is-dead-11729
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Manchar Lake: Toxic water, dead fish fill Asia’s largest freshwater body
23 Sep, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1208624
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The death of a lake
Supreme Court of Pakistan took notice of the contamination of Manchar Lake in 2015 and last month directed the Sindh government to monitor and revive water filtration plants in the area
https://www.geo.tv/latest/190991-the-death-of-a-lake
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Pakistan’s largest lake destroyed by pollution
12/10/2016
The Manchar lake was an immense reserve of fresh water and covers over 250 square kilometers. Its shores were home to the fishing boats of the Mohanna tribe. In the seventies a plan was launched for the spillage of industrial, human and agricultural waste. Out of 200 species of fish, 14 have become extinct; there are few remaining boats; 15 thousand fishermen have emigrated in search of work.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pakistan%26rsquo%3Bs-largest-lake-destroyed-by-pollution-39369.html
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Paradise lost: How toxic water destroyed Manchar Lake
December 6, 2016
https://arynews.tv/paradise-lost-how-toxic-water-destroyed-manchar-lake/
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How toxic water destroyed Pakistan's Lake Manchar
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x77jes4
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Pollution on rise in lakes: survey
August 9, 2011
https://www.dawn.com/news/650316/pollution-on-rise-in-lakes-survey
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How Pakistan wastes its water
Mar, 2019
Pakistan is now a severely water-stressed country. But while everyone is vocally concerned about the scarcity of water
https://www.dawn.com/news/1428966
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Assessment of heavy metal contamination in the drinking water of muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
September 4, 2019
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Assessment of Physical-Chemical Parameters of Water along the Catchment Areas of Rawal Dam Islamabad, Pakistan
June 1, 2019
https://eajse.tiu.edu.iq/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Assessment-of-Physical-Chemical-Parameters-of-Water-Along-the-Catchment-Areas-of-Rawal-Dam-Islamabad-Pakistan.pdf
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Pakistan needs improved groundwater management: report
January 25, 2021
https://www.dawn.com/news/1603497
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Real estate trumps water in Islamabad
October 20, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1214356
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Poisonous and running out: Pakistan's water crisis
January 8, 2018
https://phys.org/news/2018-01-poisonous-pakistan-crisis.html
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Pakistan’s Water Crisis: Why a National Water Policy is Needed
2017
https://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/pakistan-s-water-crisis-why-national-water-policy-needed#:~:text=Approximately%2095%20percent%20of%20Pakistan's,36%20most%20water%2Dstressed%20countries.
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Water dispute between India and Pakistan
Sep. 10, 2013
https://www.slideshare.net/lineking/ps-assignment-3
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Enviromental Issues In Pakistan
Jan. 21, 2017
https://www.slideshare.net/bilalmughal73700136/enviromental-issues-in-pakistan-71252526
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Environmental Assessment of Ground Water Quality of Lahore Area, Punjab, Pakistan
2007
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jas.2007.41.46
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Pesticide Residues in Rawal Lake, Islamabad, Pakistan
March 2006
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00128-006-0944-8
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Plastic
driven pollution in Pakistan: the first evidence of environmental
exposure to microplastic in sediments and water of Rawal Lake
17 February 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-020-07833-1
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Heavy metal accumulation in edible fish species from Rawal Lake Reservoir, Pakistan
2013
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23884877/
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Spatial
and temporal characterization of trace elements and nutrients in the
Rawal Lake Reservoir, Pakistan using multivariate analysis techniques
2011
Abstract
Rawal Lake Reservoir is renowned for its ecological significance and is
the sole source of drinking water of the third largest city of Pakistan.
However, fish kill in recent years and anthropogenic impacts from
human-related activities in its catchment area have resulted in
deterioration of its surface water quality. This study aims to
characterize spatial and temporal variations in surface water quality,
identify contaminant sources, and compare their levels with quality
guidelines. Surface water samples were collected from 10 sites and
analyzed for 27 physicochemical parameters for a period of 2 years on a
seasonal basis. Concentration of metals in surface water in pre-monsoon
were in the order: Fe > Mg > Ca > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr
> Cu > Co > Pb, whereas in post-monsoon, the order of elemental
concentrations was: Ca > Mg > Na > Fe > K > Zn > Cr
> Li > Pb > Co > Ni > Cu > Mn > Cd. Metals (Ni, Fe,
Zn, and Ca), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO),
chemical oxygen demand (COD), and nutrients (PO (4) (3-) , NO(3)-N, and
SO (4) (2-) ) were measured higher in pre-monsoon, whereas concentration
of Cu, Mn, Cr, Co, Pb, Cd, K, Na, Mg, Li, Cl(-), and NH(4)-N were
recorded higher in post-monsoon. Results highlighted serious metal
pollution of surface water. Mean concentration of Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Fe,
Cr, and Pb in both seasons and Mn in post-monsoon were well above the
permissible level of surface water quality criteria. Results stress the
dire need to reduce heavy-metal input into the lake basin and suggest
that heavy-metal contamination should be considered as an integral part
of future planning and management strategies for restoration of water
quality of the lake reservoir.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21240624/
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Spatio-temporal
variations in physico-chemical parameters and potentially harmful
elements (PHEs) of Uchalli Wetlands Complex (Ramsar site), Pakistan
2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30267346/
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Spatio-temporal variations in fine particulate matter and evaluation of associated health risk over Pakistan
11 May 2021
https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ieam.4446
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BACTERIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER OF RAWALAKOT DISTRICT, AZAD KASHMIR, PAKISTAN
Dec 29, 2019
https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/18799
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Effect of land use activities on PAH contamination in urban soils of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan
2013 Apr 18
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23595691/
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Profile of Atmospheric PAHs in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Gujranwala Districts of Punjab Province (Pakistan)
2016
https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-15-01-siuahe-0016
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Monitoring nitrogen dioxide levels in urban areas in Rawalpindi, Pakistan
31 August 2012
https://www.sei.org/publications/monitoring-nitrogen-dioxide-levels-in-urban-areas-in-rawalpindi-pakistan/
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Health
risk assessment of hexachlorocyclohexane in soil, water and plants in
the agricultural area of Potohar region, Punjab, Pakistan
24 February 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10653-021-00847-9
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Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences
https://pakjas.com.pk/#/
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Water resource vulnerability assessment in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)
2015
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S101836471500083X
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Seasonal Variability of Heavy Metals in Manchar Lake of Arid Southern Pakistan and Its Consequential Human Health Risk
1/2021
Abstract
Water pollution related to trace elements has emerged as a worldwide concern owing to their
increasing concentration and damages to the aquatic ecosystems. The water ecosystem of Manchar
Lake situated in the arid region of Pakistan has also been degraded and posing a severe health risk
to the dependent communities. This study aims to investigate the seasonal variability in the influx of
trace elements (As, Cd, Cr(III), Cr(VI), Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) into the lake during premonsoon,
monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons and its consequential health risks. The highest mean
concentrations (μg/l) of As (43.2), Cr(III) (101.4), Zn (41), Cu (43.12), Fe (318), Cd (18.5), Mn (27.2),
Ni (99.7), Pb (65.91) and Hg (6.8) have been observed in pre-monsoon and Cr(VI) (0.2) in monsoon
seasons. The elements exceeding safe limits in pre-monsoon season are As, Cd, Cr(III), Hg, Ni, and Pb,
while in monsoon season As, Cd, Ni, and Pb exceed the limit. Evaluation of the degree of contamination
depicted high levels of pollution in pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons and the Heavy Metal Evaluation
Index indicated a high level of pollution in pre-monsoon, medium in monsoon, and low in the postmonsoon
season. The study revealed that oral consumption of lake water potentially causes carcinogenic
and non-carcinogenic health risks. However, potential dermal related health risks associated with these
metals concentrations in water are within the tolerable ranges. The findings of this study suggest prompt
actions to control these pollutants influx into the lake.
http://www.pjoes.com/Seasonal-Variability-of-Heavy-Metals-nin-Manchar-Lake-of-Arid-Southern-Pakistan-nand,120363,0,2.html
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Total dissolved and bioavailable elements in water and sediment samples and their accumulation in Oreochromis mossambicus of polluted Manchar Lake
2007
Abstract
The concentrations of 15 elements were determined in water, sediment and tissues of fish (Oreochromis mossambicus)
collected from five sampling stations of Manchar Lake in 2005 for two
successive seasons, winter (WS) and summer (SS). Elements analysis was
performed by atomic absorption spectrometry
with flame (FAAS) and electrothermal (ETAAS) modes, using multielement
standard solution. The obtained results show that, the trace and toxic
elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and macronutrients
(Al, Ca, K, Mg and Na) concentrations in lake water were above the
recommended drinking water standards by WHO. Concentrations of Na
detected in lake water in WS and SS, were in the range of 445.5–562.7
and 420.6–643.5 mg l−1, respectively. While among
toxic elements As concentration in both seasons, have been found in the
range of 60.4–88.9 and 64.9–101.8 μg l−1 respectively, these
values are 6–10 times higher than the permissible limit of WHO. The mean
concentrations of elements understudy in muscles of fish were found as
2.35, 1.39, 0.46, 2.3, 1517.9, 2.2, 2.4 and 188.9 mg kg−1
for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively. High accumulation
of toxic elements in fish tissues is indicating that some of the metal
contaminants are entering the food chain. Correlations among the
variables were identified by multivariate analysis. The extraction of elements from sediments with EDTA, to predict the bioavailability of trace and toxic elements, has shown that among them As, Cd and Zn were the most bioavailable elements in lake sediment.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653507010065
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Discharge of Manchar Lake water into River Indus, 2010
2010
http://sida.org.pk/download/emuwsip/Discharge%20of%20Manchar%20%20Lake%20water%20into%20River%20Indus,2010.pdf
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Assessment of water quality of Manchar Lake in Sindh (Pakistan).
2007
Abstract
Manchar Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in Pakistan. The
Lake has received less fresh water in past few years. In addition,
drainage water is being discharged in the Lake through Main Nara Valley
Drain (MNVD) since many years. Consequently, concern has grown regarding
the water quality of the Lake. The aim of this study was to assess the
water quality of Manchar Lake and MNVD and the objectives were to
determine physiochemical properties and the concentrations of common
cations and anions as well as seven trace metals i.e. Cu, Ni, Zn, Co,
Fe, Pb and Cd. The concentration of the trace metals were determined by
simultaneous preconcentration and solvent extraction using flame atomic
absorption spectrometer. Results of physicochemical parameters of
Manchar Lake water samples showed mean pH 8.4 (+/-0.2), conductivity
2,310.3 (+/-581.3) muS cm(-1) and hardness (as CaCO3) 213.1 (+/-62.3) mg
l(-1). Mean concentrations of cations and anions were Na 521.5
(+/-49.7), Cl(-) 413.6 (+/-225.7), Ca 70.7 (+/-12.9), Mg 56.2 (+/-28.9),
K 17.6 (+/-6.5), NO(3-) 0.34 (+/-0.2) and PO4(3-) 0.02 (+/-0.01) mg
l(-1). Mean concentrations of trace metals were Zn 15.7 (+/-1), Fe 12
(+/-3.5), Pb 9 (+/-2.7), Cu 8.9 (+/-7.7), Ni 4.3 (+/-3.4), Co 4 (+/-3.4)
and Cd 1.1 (+/-1) microg l(-1). MNVD water samples showed mean pH 8.9
(+/-0.8), conductivity 1,735.7 (+/-567.8) muS cm(-1) and hardness (as
CaCO3) 184.8 (+/-32.4) mg l(-1). In MNWD, the mean concentrations of
cations and anions were Na 482.7 (+/-11.7), Cl(-) 395.7 (+/-271.5), Ca
79.1 (+/-23.5), Mg 54.2 (+/-28.1), K 26.2 (+/-21.3), NO(-3) 0.5 (+/-0.3)
and PO4(3-) 0.1 (+/-0.1) mg l(-1). Mean concentrations of trace metals
observed in MNWD water were Fe 14.9(+/-3.5), Cd 8.3 (+/-9.4), Pb 6.9
(+/-2.4), Cu 6.6 (+/-3.1), Zn 6.2 (+/-1.8), Co 4.5 (+/-2.7), and Ni 3.5
(+/-2.9) microg l(-1). The pH of both Manchar Lake and MNVD waters and
concentration of Pb in Manchar Lake and concentration of Cd in MNVD
water were higher than the World Health Organisation's guideline values
for the drinking water quality. The water quality of Manchar Lake was
found degraded.
http://europepmc.org/article/MED/17929187
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Studies on Water Chemistry and Fish Production of Manchar Lake, Dadu, Sindh (Pakistan)
2000
Abstract
An ecological survey of Manchar lake was carried out during 1998-99,
Water samples were analyzed, viz: water temperature, light penetration,
pH, alkalinity, conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, total
hardness, phosphates, chlorides and dissolved oxygen.
Water quality analysis indicated salinity (1.8-3.9 g/l), pH (7.4-8.7) and hardness (614-1000 mg/L).
Thirty Two fish species have been recorded, among these 13 commercial
species are harvested on regular basis. Fish production is estimated to
be 500 metric ton/year.
The physico-chemical
parameters of lake water are towards higher side for a typical fresh
water body. Thus the decrease in the fish population in Manchar lake may
be attributed to higher values of environmental factors.
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjbs.2000.2151.2153
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Manchar Lake pollution: Fish stocks deplete, "
July 04, 2013
General secretary of Friends of Indus Forum says only 200 families now live along Manchar Lake.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/572654/manchar-lake-pollution-fish-stocks-deplete
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Lake Manchar: Pakistan's floating village
July 15, 2015
Out here on the boathouses, every day, life begins with the sunrise and every day, with the sun, it sets.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1194545
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700 families around Lake Manchar forced to migrate
November 23, 2017
https://dailytimes.com.pk/145586/700-families-around-lake-manchar-forced-migrate/
DADU: At least 700 fishermen and their families, living on boats (locally called batelas) in six different villages around Lake Manchar, have migrated to different areas.
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Sindh: Manchar Lake & Poor Fisherfolk.
September 16, 2010
https://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2010/09/sindh-manchar-lake-poor-fisherfolk.html
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Comparison of Water Chemistry of Manchar Lake with Who Drinking Water Quality Standards
2015
https://www.academia.edu/26392981/Comparison_of_Water_Chemistry_of_Manchar_Lake_with_Who_Drinking_Water_Quality_Standards
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Photo story: The destruction of Pakistan’s Manchar lake
September 17, 2015
Fishing communities can no longer survive on Asia’s largest freshwater lake after a massive artificial drain has contaminated water and destroyed fish stocks
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/pollution/photo-story-the-destruction-of-pakistans-manchar-lake/
____________
New survey research done on degradation of Manchar Lake
March 7, 2020
https://dailytimes.com.pk/571513/new-survey-research-done-on-degradation-of-manchar-lake/
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Comparative Study of Water of Manchhar Lake with Drinking Water Quality Standard of World Health Organization
Apr. 20, 2014
http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/paperinfo.aspx?journalid=163&doi=10.11648/j.ajep.20140302.15
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Selection of the Most Feasible Wastewater Treatment Technology in Pakistan Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM)
24 September 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41101-020-00094-6
____________
Effluent Treatment Plant Pakistan
https://waterworldpk.com/effluent-treatment-plants/
____________
Water quality assessment of Ramser site, Indus Delta, Sindh, Pakistan
30 July 2018
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-018-6756-6
____________
Risk assessment of heavy metals and salts for human and irrigation
consumption of groundwater in Qambar city: a case study
2019
Abstract
The study investigated the water quality of groundwater for consumption of human beings and irrigation of taluka Qamber district Qamber-Shahdadkot, Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 21 representative groundwater samples were collected mostly used for human consumption. According to the research work, 81% samples were not suitable for drinking purpose with TDS above the maximum permissible limit of WHO (1000 mg/L). The pH, total phosphate-P, orth ophosphate-P, nitrate-N, nitrite-N, and arsenic were within WHO limits. The concentrations of essential metals more than half samples were higher than WHO guideline. The concentrations of trace metals like Mn, Fe, Co, and Cu of all samples were within WHO limits, but the values of Cr and Ni 52.38%, Cd 57.14%, and Pb 28.57% were above the WHO limits. The concentrations of fluoride in 81% were higher than permissible limits of WHO. The high consumption of water with concentration of salts and fluoride above the permissible limits may be a leading factor of a number of diseases in the area.
The water quality determined for irrigation based on Kelly index (KI), sodium percentage (Na%), chloride–sulfate ratio, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI), chloro alkaline indices1 (CAI-1), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and chloride bicarbonate ratio indicated that 25–90% samples were suitable for irrigation purposes.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24749508.2019.1571670
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Hydrogeochemical signatures and suitability assessment of groundwater with elevated fluoride in unconfined aquifers Badin district, Sindh, Pakistan
08 May 2020
Abstract
The fluoride pollution in the groundwater is a significant human health
risk around the world. However, many diseases including dental,
crippling and skeletal fluorosis cause due to high fluoride
contamination in the drinking water. The objectives of this study were
to investigate the occurrence of higher F− in the
groundwater, geochemical composition, water type mechanism for minerals
enrichment and groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Therefore, fifty-seven groundwater samples were collected for the
appraisal. The mean concentrations of physical parameters like depth,
Temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, power of
hydrogen ion (pH) and turbidity were observed as 28 m, 19.78 °C, 2283
uS/cm, 1456 mg/L, 7.4 and 21.80 NTU respectively. Whereas, the mean
concentrations of chemical parameters such as cations (Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+ and K+) were observed to be (92.12, 83.63, 251 and 12.40) mg/L and anions (Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, NO3− and F−)
were (375, 300, 285, 4.9 and 1.9) mg/L respectively. While the mean
concentration of total Fe in the drinking water samples of study are
were reported as 0.28 mg/L respectively. The range concentration of F−
were 0.23–6.8 mg/L shows that 47% of drinking water samples exceeded
the WHO limit (1.5 mg/L). The piper plot resulted in the dominance of
(NaCl), and Gibbs plot represents rock and precipitation dominance
ratios; while SAR and Sodium percentage (Na %) validates the salinity
and sodium risk to the use of groundwater for irrigation purposes.
Saturation indices expressed; the saturation of the fluorite mineral
found within the range of (− 2.3 to 1.24). PCA results reveals four
significant factors with total percentage contribution were 70.73%.
Whereas, the water quality index resulted with mean and standard
deviation as (2502.62 ± 2164). The overall quality of the groundwater is
unfit for human consumption and irrigation purposes to the local
population of the study area.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-020-2821-1
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Impact of Hairdin, Miro Khan and Shahdad Kot Drainage on Hamal Dhand, Sindh
2018
https://www.etasr.com/index.php/ETASR/article/view/2389
____________
Impact of Right Bank Outfall Drain-I (RBOD-I) / Main Nara Valley Drain (MNVD) on Manchar Lake, Sindh, Pakistan
2019
https://www.etasr.com/index.php/ETASR/article/view/3219
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Keti Bunder – A Wildlife Sanctuary at Thatha, Sindh
January 19, 2021
https://www.charismaticplanet.com/keti-bunder-a-wildlife-sanctuary/
____________
SPECIAL: Woes of Sindh to shake Pakistan’s fragile ecosystem
5th July, 2021
https://www.daily-sun.com/post/562775/SPECIAL:-Woes-of-Sindh-to-shake-Pakistan%E2%80%99s-fragile-ecosystem
____________
Depletion of mangroves in sindh presentation
Apr. 28, 2015
https://www.slideshare.net/khalidjamali/depletion-of-mangroves-in-sindh-presentation
____________
Distribution and dynamics of mangrove forests of South Asia
2014
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479714000358
____________
Depletion Of Mangroves: Ecosystem Posing Threat To Sea Communities, Biodiversity
https://www.pakistanpoint.com/en/story/1131490/depletion-of-mangroves-ecosystem-posing-threat-to-sea.html?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_f674f2dd730651302ca5cb3e4b29bae7c76c8ceb-1627382242-0-gqNtZGzNArijcnBszQj6
____________
Mangrove-related policy and institutional framework in Pakistan
2016
http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/rap/files/meetings/2016/161220_03_Pakistan_policy_presentation.pdf
____________
Mangrove plantation MoU signed between PTCL and WWF-Pakistan
September 19, 2018
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2018/09/19/ptcl-wwf-pakistan-mou-biodiversity/
____________
WWF-Pakistan and JS Bank initiate 100,000 mangroves plantation drive
14 August 2019
https://www.wwfpak.org/?uNewsID=353455
____________
South Asia’s abused wetlands surviving – just about
February 2, 2016
Considered unimportant and encroached upon, the wetlands that regulate water flow, and act as the living hearts of ecosystems are barely surviving as a crowded South Asia clamours for land
Pakistan
Pakistan now has a draft National Water Policy. Unfortunately it says remarkably little about preservation of its wetlands, be it in the Hindu Kush Himalayas or in the Indus delta.
And this is happening when flash floods are becoming more common in the mountains, while the country’s largest city, Karachi, is being repeatedly flooded due to choked waterways.
Pakistan has 19 Ramsar sites spread across all four provinces, including the entire Indus delta and a special dolphin reserve on the Indus. But even Asia’s largest freshwater lake has not been immune to an ill-conceived drainage scheme.
As in India, there are some very valuable wetlands in the desert region of Pakistan, and environmentalists in both countries have been striving to protect one wetland that straddles the border between the two countries. A Ramsar site in this region is the Deh Akro II Desert Wetland Complex.
This is one of the most important wetlands is the Indus river delta, which is as wide as 210 km where the Indus meets the Arabian Sea. The state of the delta has been of grave concern for many years, as upriver dams held back freshwater and the Indus actually stopped flowing to the sea.
In a way, nature addressed that problem through the 2010 floods that devastated Pakistan. The Indus is now flowing to the sea again, there is a major drive to plant mangroves in the delta, and there is some hope that this global heritage — home of the Indus dolphin and the world’s largest arid mangrove forest — will be preserved, unless more dams are built upriver.
The other threat to the Indus delta is the rising level of the Arabian Sea due to climate change. Of the million-plus people who live in the delta — dependent on farming and fishing — many have been forced to abandon their homes as salt water crept into their farms and wells.
Other coastal wetlands are also under threat. The construction of the Gwadar port endangers the Jiwani coastal wetland of Balochistan, another Ramsar site. Environmentalists have been insisting that the wetland should neither be drained nor filled up as the port is built, and the struggle with the project developers is on.
In the mountains of northern Pakistan, there are two Ramsar wetlands vital for migratory birds — Tanda dam and Thanedar Wala, both in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Officials say these wetlands are in good health, but it is difficult to find money for them, because tourism has been badly affected by terrorism.
Wetlands, swamps, marshes, call them what you will, it is clear that we need them, that we are not taking care of them as we should, and the situation needs to change quickly.
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/nature/south-asias-abused-wetlands-surviving-just-about/
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Pakistan's Coast and Encroaching Seas
July 11, 2013
https://coastalcare.org/2013/07/pakistans-coast-and-encroaching-seas/
____________
Thousands forced to migrate as sea swallows coastal belt
May 12, 2019
https://jahanzebtahir1991.wordpress.com/2019/05/12/climate-change-is-real/
____________
The Challenges of Water Pollution, Threat to Public Health, Flaws of Water Laws and Policies in Pakistan
2015
https://www.scirp.org/html/12-9402717_62511.htm
____________
Pakistan’s Water Resource Development Endangering Indigenous Ways of Life
July 24, 2003
https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/pakistans-water-resource-development-endangering-indigenous-ways-life
____________
ENVIRONMENT: THRASHING OUT THE TRASH ISSUE
August 25, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1501466/environment-thrashing-out-the-trash-issue
____________
Plastic driven pollution in Pakistan: the first evidence of environmental exposure to microplastic in sediments and water of Rawal Lake
2020 Feb 17
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32067172/
____________
Environmental impacts of improper solid waste management in developing countries: a case study of Rawalpindi City
2010
https://www.witpress.com/Secure/elibrary/papers/SW10/SW10035FU1.pdf
____________
Environmental Problems In Rawalpindi And Islamabad
2013
https://www.iamcivilengineer.com/2013/11/environmental-problems-in-rawalpindi-and-islamabad.html
____________
Transboundary Rivers of South Asia – The Case for Regional Water Management
August 6, 2019
https://impakter.com/transboundary-rivers-of-south-asia/
____________
List of lakes of Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lakes_of_Pakistan
____________
Impact of urbanization on water resources of Pakistan: A review
2019-06-01
https://journals.nust.edu.pk/index.php/njes/article/view/230
____________
Alarming Situation of Water Pollution in Pakistan
May 6, 2021
https://bexpress.com.pk/2021/05/alarming-situation-of-water-pollution-in-pakistan-2/
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Impact of textile wastewater pollution on the environment.
Aug 31, 2018
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Impact+of+textile+wastewater+pollution+on+the+environment.-a0560695714
The impact of textiles is considered to be the most polluting element in the textile industry. It affects the environment and in a developing country like Pakistan, this condition is more prominent. The wastewater becomes the main source of pollution of the environment. It pollutes the surface and subsurface water, soil and air. Today its proper management and remedial measures such as disposal systems have become the most serious challenges all over the world, including Pakistan.
Impacts of textile wastewater on the environment
The textile industries release a large amount of wastewater containing toxic and hazardous pollutants that badly degrade the environment [1]. Textile industrial wastewater also shows toxic effects on aquatic macrophytes and algae, as it is noticed that, aquatic macrophytes could hardly survive two days on textile effluent.
Soil Pollution
The textile wastewater pollutes the soil. The soil is the most important medium for growing plant, bushes, crops, etc. The quality of crops depends upon the quality of the soil. So, when the quality of the soil decreases due to polluted industrial wastewater, subsequently, the amount and quality of crops also decline. It is also seen that the lower lands become more polluted than the higher lands, as the effluents are ultimately deposited in the lower lands.
Water Pollution
The water pollution is considered to be the biggest environmental threat all over the world. Generally, surface water is used for dyeing, printing, sizing, bleaching and washing, and therefore, this water mixes with the water in rivers and thereby increases pollution.
Categories of Air Pollution
Air pollution is categorized by the emissions of Carbon dioxide, Aerosol fumes and gases, Toxic gases, Smoke and Dust.
Air pollution in textiles
Most processes performed in the textile mills produce atmospheric emissions. Gaseous emissions have been identified as the second greatest pollution problem (after effluent quality) for the textile industry.
The major air pollution problem in the textile industry occurs during the finishing stages, where various processes are employed for coating the fabrics. Coating materials include lubricating oils, plasticizers, paints and water repellent chemicals essentially, organic compounds such as oils, waxes or solvents, acid vapour, odors and boiler exhausts[2]. The cleaning and production changes result in sludge in the tanks with process chemicals, which may contain toxic compounds and metals[3].
Hazardous waste
Many chemicals, even when used properly can still harm human health and the environment. When these hazardous substances are thrown away without any proper disposal protocols or treatments, they become hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste is most often a by-product of a manufacturing process and some hazardous wastes come from our homes: our garbage can include such hazardous wastes as old batteries, bug spray cans, and paint thinner. Regardless of the source, unless we dispose of hazardous waste properly, it can create health risks for people and damage the environment.
How can hazardous waste effect us?
When hazardous wastes are released in the air, water, or on the land they can spread quite easily and thus contaminating even more of the environment and posing greater threats to our health. For example, when rain falls on soil at a waste site, it can carry hazardous waste deeper into the ground and thus polluting underlying ground water. If a very small amount of a hazardous substance is released, it may become diluted to the point where it will not cause injury. A hazardous substance can cause injury or death to a person, plant, or animals.
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Asian rivers are turning black. And our colorful closets are to blame
28th September 2020
Textile dyeing is one of the most polluting aspects of the global fashion industry, devastating the environment and posing health hazards to humans.
https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/dyeing-pollution-fashion-intl-hnk-dst-sept/index.html
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Recovery of Chromium from the Tannery Wastewater by Use of Bacillus Subtilis in Gujranwala, Pakistan
July 2012
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264309988_Recovery_of_Chromium_from_the_Tannery_Wastewater_by_Use_of_Bacillus_Subtilis_in_Gujranwala_Pakistan
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Water body in Baddi turns blue after industrial waste dumped
March 2020
HP pollution control board to act against erring pharma unit
Water in Malpur khud in the Baddi industrial area turned blue after a tanker dumped untreated toxic industrial effluents from a pharmaceutical unit into it on Sunday afternoon.
The khud or rivulet meets Sarsa river, whose water quality is already under the lens of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for failing to adhere to the laid down norms.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/water-body-in-baddi-turns-blue-after-industrial-waste-dumped-52859
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Open dumping of municipal solid waste and its hazardous impacts on soil and vegetation diversity at waste dumping sites of Islamabad city
2013
Abstract
Deteriorating soil quality and decrease in vegetation abundance are
grave consequences of open waste dumping which have resulted in growing
public concern. The focus of this study is to assess the contribution of
open waste dumping in soil contamination and its effect on plant
diversity in one of the renowned green cities of Pakistan. Surface soil
samples (n = 12 + 12) were collected from
both the open waste dumping areas allocated by Capital Development
Authority (CDA) and sub- sectors of H-belt of Islamabad city
(representative of control site). The diversity of vegetation was
studied at both sampling sites. Significant modifications were observed
in the soil properties of the dumping sites. Soils at the disposal sites
showed high pH, TDS and EC
regime in comparison to control sites. Various heavy metal
concentrations i.e., Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr)
and Zinc (Zn) were also found to be higher at the dumping sites except
for Cadmium (Cd) which had a higher value in control site. A similar
trend was observed in plant diversity. Control sites showed diversified
variety of plants i.e., 44 plant species
while this number reduced to only 32 plant species at the disposal
sites. This is attributed to changes in soil characteristics at disposal
sites and in its vicinity areas.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1018364713000517
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Pakistan selling counterfeit drugs in 2020
February 24, 2020
https://www.aboutpakistan.com/blog/pakistan-selling-counterfeit-drugs-in-2020/
____________
Inside the deadly Pakistan counterfeit drug trade
Aug 29, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqP_Pa_NgX0
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Inside the deadly Pakistan counterfeit drug trade
2015
In the alleys of the bustling markets in Pakistan, the counterfeit drug trade is in full swing. It's a deadly industry that kills 1 million people a year.
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/health/2015/08/29/pakistan-counterfeit-drugs.cnn
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Pakistan 'toxic syrup' kills 16 in Lahore
26 November 2012
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-20491707.amp
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Patients fooled by fake drugs made with poison and brick dust
2015
https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/30/asia/pakistan-fake-drugs/index.html
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2012 Pakistan fake medicine crisis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Pakistan_fake_medicine_crisis
During late January 2012, a fake medicine crisis at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) hospital in the Lahore region of Punjab, Pakistan, claimed the lives of over 100 heart patients. According to various reports, the incident involved patients who had been receiving treatment at the hospital and had been prescribed with counterfeit antihypertensive medicines.[1] The spurious medicine(s) triggered a serious adverse reaction by depositing itself in the bone marrow and ending the body's resistance. The generation of white blood cells stopped in the body. Among the symptoms of the disease were a severe chest infection, change in skin colour/pigmentation, low platelet count and blood vomiting.[2]
Suspect drugs include Isotab (isosorbide mononitrate), Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium), Cardiovestin (simvastatin), Alfagril (clopidogrel), Concort (amlodipine), and Soloprin (aspirin).
The medicines were being distributed by the hospital free of charge mainly to poor people. The total number of people who may be at risk after taking medicine from the hospital may be as high as 46,000 according to one report.
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Drugs flushed into the environment could be cause of wildlife decline
2014
New studies show antidepressants causing starlings to feed less and contraceptive drugs reducing fish populations in lakes
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/13/drugs-flushed-into-the-environment-could-be-cause-of-wildlife-decline
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The Effects of the Pharmaceutical Industry on the Ocean
October 28, 2015
https://oceancrusaders.org/pharmaceutical-ocean/
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Toxic Water Fears In Pakistan Region Infamous For Deformities
May 11, 2018
According to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 90 percent of factories in and around the city dump their waste untreated in open pits or discharge untreated water in streams.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/toxic-water-fears-in-pakistan-region-infamous-for-deformities-1850938
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Electrical and electronic waste in Pakistan: the management practices and perspectives
2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128170304000073
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E-Waste
Driven Pollution in Pakistan: The First Evidence of Environmental and
Human Exposure to Flame Retardants (FRs) in Karachi City
2017
Abstract
Informal e-waste recycling activities have been shown to be a major emitter of organic flame retardants (FRs), contributing to both environmental and human exposure to laborers at e-waste recycling sites in some West African countries, as well as in China and India. The main objective of this study was to determine the levels of selected organic FRs in both air and soil samples collected from areas with intensive informal e-waste recycling activities in Karachi, Pakistan. Dechlorane Plus (DP) and “novel” brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were often detected in high concentrations in soils, while phosphorus-based FRs (OPFRs) dominated atmospheric samples. Among individual substances and substance groups, decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) (726 ng/g), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) (551 ng/g), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE) (362 ng/g), and triphenyl-phosphate (∑TPP) (296 ng/g) were found to be prevalent in soils, while OPFR congeners (5903–24986 ng/m3) were prevalent in air. The two major e-waste recycling areas (Shershah and Lyari) were highly contaminated with FRs, suggesting informal e-waste recycling activities as a major emission source of FRs in the environment in Karachi City. However, the hazards associated with exposure to PM2.5 appear to exceed those attributed to exposure to selected FRs via inhalation and soil ingestion.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.est.7b03159
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Where Do 50 Million Tonnes a Year of Toxic E-Waste Go?
Sep 27 2017
http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/09/50-million-tonnes-year-toxic-e-waste-go/
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20 Countries that are Used as Dumping Grounds for Your Waste
https://whenonearth.net/20-countries-that-are-used-as-dumping-grounds-for-your-waste/
The safe disposal of waste, especially electronic waste, remains a challenge for many industrialized countries. Due to the difficulties and cost associated with the proper disposal of waste that contains hazardous components, it is often simply shipped to developing countries as used products.
A lot of effort has been made to curb the dumping of waste in countries without the proper facilities to handle these products, but in many places, the practice continues.
8. Pakistan
According to the Basel Action Network, more than 500,000 used computers are still sent to Pakistan each year from developed countries. The e-waste is finding its way to Pakistan from countries such as Singapore, the USA and also a few European countries, despite the fact that is in clear violation of international laws.
Only an estimated 15 to 40 percent of the computers are in a usable condition while the rest are recycled by women and children working in extremely hazardous conditions.
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Illegal waste trafficking: more data is key to getting a better grip on this trade
https://mag.wcoomd.org/magazine/wco-news-88/illegal-waste-trafficking-more-data-is-key-to-getting-a-better-grip-on-this-trade/
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Factory owners illegally dumping industrial waste in Karachi face legal action
Feb 24 2018
https://www.geo.tv/latest/183461-factory-owners-illegaly-dumping-industrial-waste-in-karachi-face-legal-action
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Assessing Pollution Levels in Effluents of Industries in City Zone of Faisalabad, Pakistan
2005
Abstract
In present study, assessment of the effluents from seven industries
including ghee, Ni-Cr plating, battery, tannery: Lower Heat Unit (LHU),
tannery: Higher Heat Unit (HHU), textile: Dying Unit (DU) and textile:
Finishing Unit (FU) in city zone of Faisalabad, Pakistan showed that
some of them were high in some water pollutants while some were high in
other types of water pollutants. Environmental pollutants quantitatively
analyzed include nickel, zinc, copper, iron, temperature, pH,
conductivity, hardness, turbidity, salinity, sulfate, total acidity as
CaCO3, total alkalinity as CaCO3, chloride,
fluoride, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), nitrate, nitrite, Dissolved
Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand
(COD), phosphorous, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The
results of present study revealed that effluents from all industries
causing severe toxic metal pollution. While analysis of physico-chemical parameters showed that although all industries causing some type of physico-chemical pollution but textile industry (FU) effluents were above permissible limits in most of physico-chemical
parameters analyzed. These wastewaters are normally discharged into
neighboring water bodies. The treatment of any form of waste before
disposal into the environment is important and ensures safety of the
populace and assessment of pollution caused by effluents is therefore
necessary for appropriate selection of treatment plan.
https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=jas.2005.1713.1717
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Up to 90% of world's electronic waste is illegally dumped, says UN
2015
PCs and smartphones adding to ‘e-waste mountain’ that could reach 50m tonnes by 2017, much of it dumped and traded in developing countries, reports BusinessGreen
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/12/up-to-90-of-worlds-electronic-waste-is-illegally-dumped-says-un
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Pakistan Government Urged To Take Action Against Alleged Indian Fabric Dumping
17th May 2017
https://www.textileexcellence.com/news/industry-news/pakistan-government-urged-to-take-action-against-alleged-indian-fabric-dumping/
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LWMC enforcement wing working to deal with illegal dumping of solid waste.
Apr 11, 2019
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/LWMC+enforcement+wing+working+to+deal+with+illegal+dumping+of+solid...-a0581977245
LAHORE -- The enforcement wing of Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) is working tirelessly to deal with illegal dumping of solid waste and to regulate the solid waste management rules in the city.
According to LWMC sources on Wednesday, LWMC enforcement team paid visit to multiple areas and markets of the city and imposed more than 4,991 fines from January till now for illegal dumping, burning and violating the solid waste rules.
Illegal dumping followed by improper disposal of solid waste led to impose these challans, worth nearly Rs 8.4 million.
LWMC Managing Director Khalid Nazir said, "LWMC has been working day and night to provide exceptional cleanliness services to the citizens."
Practice of illegal dumping and improper disposal of waste would not be tolerated, he maintained.
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LWMC swings into action against illegal dumping
May 24, 2021
As per the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, the Lahore Waste Management Company’s vigilance department is up and alert to deal with illegal dumping of solid waste across the City...
https://pakobserver.net/lwmc-swings-into-action-against-illegal-dumping/
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Drive against illegal waste dumping launched
May 24, 2021
https://nation.com.pk/24-May-2021/drive-against-illegal-waste-dumping-launched
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Pakistan pursues transformative chemicals and waste management project
17 Oct 2019
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/pakistan-pursues-transformative-chemicals-and-waste-management-project
Strong economic growth and continuing industrialization in Pakistan has led to an uncontrolled increase in waste production. The country generates about 20 million tonnes of solid waste every year, which has been increasing at a rate of over 2 per cent annually. Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, generates over 13,500 tonnes of solid waste every day. Much of this waste is burned or dumped in open-air landfills, creating a serious risk to the environment and public health.
Among the biggest challenges facing Pakistan as it seeks to confront this issue is a lack of legislation or substantial policy for the management of hazardous waste, as well as an absence of adequate inventories of chemicals present in the country. Pakistan has ratified the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, but weak institutional capacity continues to be a hurdle in the implementation of these international agreements.
To help tackle this problem head on, Pakistan is partnering with the Chemicals and Waste Management Programme on an ambitious three-year project to strengthen institutional capacity and also develop, adopt, monitor and enforce a sustainable chemical and hazardous waste management policy. The project will also see Pakistan gain greater access to financial and other resources for effective adoption and implementation of the conventions relevant to the sound management of chemicals and hazardous wastes throughout their life cycle...
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Solid Waste Management in Pakistan
April 23, 2021
https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/solid-waste-management-in-pakistan/
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Solid Waste Management Practices in Pakistan
2020
https://www.academia.edu/45671277/Solid_Waste_Management_Practices_in_Pakistan
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Three new sites for garbage dumping
October 31, 2015
https://nation.com.pk/31-Oct-2015/three-new-sites-for-garbage-dumping
LAHORE - The Punjab capital city is to get three new landfill sites to stop illegal garbage dumping, officials told The Nation yesterday.
The government disclosed this plan amid reports that more than half a million people living close to 11illegal dumping sites are facing serious health risks due to pollution and improper sanitation.
The illegal dumps have sprung up through the south of the city because of the severe shortage of waste disposal sites.
Senior Environmental Protection Agency officials told The Nation that three new official sites will be created in the south Lahore to stop illegal dumping of garbage.
Purpose built dumping sites will facilitate private and cooperative housing societies and they will not need to travel 30-40 kilometre for disposal of garbage at Mehmood Booti.
For avoiding such a long travel in traffic congestion, the private contractors dump garbage in open fields, exposing people residing nearby to skin, lungs and stomach diseases.
To the hue and cry of affected people, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif recently ordered action against illegal dumping and identification of suitable places for establishment of legal landfill sites in the south.
“Mehmood Booti dumping site has almost reached to its capacity. However, garbage generated in the north could go to Lakhodair Landfill Site. The real problem is proper disposal of garbage in the south. The problem will go bigger and bigger as the Lahore is expanding in the south,” said EPA Director Nasimur Rehman Shah.
“We are carrying out survey for identifying suitable places for establishing three dumping sites in the south. One each dumping site will be established on Raiwind Road, Ferozepur Road and Multan Road. These sites will facilitate housing societies in the south to dump garbage at a short distance. The new sites will definitely help stopping illegal dumping of garbage,” he added.
Regarding measures for checking illegal dumping, he said that local governments could take action under Punjab Local Government Act 2015. Hopefully, the process will start after the new local bodies come into power, he said.
“The law already exists. Local governments will assume powers after completion of election process. They will formulate strategy for implementation of relevant clauses of the PLGA 2015 for checking illegal dumping of waste. Enforcement of law and availability of legal sites nearby will help stopping illegal dumping of garbage,” Nasim said.
Officials estimate that two out of the city’s 8.5 tonnes of solid waste generated every day are dumped illegally. The illegal sites include Goppay Raye near Kattar Bund Road, opposite WASA Disposal Station Sabzazar, along Sherakot Drain near F, J and L blocks of Sabzazar, Turkey Camp near C-Block Marghazar, Audit and Accounts Society College Road, opposite Nisar Spinning Mill Sundar-Raiwind Road, Kacha near Ferozepur Road, Kamaha Road near Azam Chowk and Gawala Colony near Harbanspura.
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Safety and Health Hazards of Open Garbage Dumping
March 27, 2013
https://udbarry.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/safety-and-health-hazards-of-open-garbage-dumping/
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Assessment of Groundwater Quality Affected by Open Dumping Site in Hyderabad Pakistan
2019
Abstract
The present study has been conducted to evaluate the different samples of groundwater, surface leachate and Soil, for the determination of chemical parameters of surface leachate and their effects on soil using X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopic (XRF) technique. Samples were collected from the vicinity of unregulated dumping site area of Hyderabad, Pakistan. Different chemical and elements including essential trace and toxic were determined. The impact assessment of leachate on the quality of surface water and ground water around the Hyderabad disposal site was conducted by means of physical, chemical and biological analysis of water. In present study it was concluded that the municipal solid waste leachate is affecting the irrigated soil and ground water quality with the highly toxic chemicals and elements; and the comparative findings on the similar aspects reported from different parts of the world linearly supported the results of the present study. In conclusion, the impact of surface leachate indicated that the surface water is more polluted than groundwater. Keywords: Soil, Elements, Leachate, XRF, Groundwater, Pollution.
https://chemical.journalspub.info/index.php?journal=JCPDS&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=788
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Pakistan imposes anti-dumping duties on products imported from Canada & Russia
October 2, 2019
https://customstoday.com/pakistan-imposes-anti-dumping-duties-on-products-imported-from-canada-russia/
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A Study of Solid Waste Management in Karachi City
2016
https://geistscience.com/papers/view/JESS1604205
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Illegal dumping of coal spreads to parts of Malir district
February 17, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1464235/illegal-dumping-of-coal-spreads-to-parts-of-malir-district
KARACHI: A number of companies importing coal through the Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) in the Port Qasim area are dumping their hazardous consignments in different parts of Malir district, violating environmental laws and endangering public health, it emerged on Saturday.
Health hazards
Impacts of unsafe handling and burning of coal on health and environment are well documented.
Recent studies have showed that coal stockpiles emit fine particulate pollution in several ways. First, wind blowing over uncovered coal piles results in fugitive coal dust emissions that are a source of PM2.5 (particles less than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter are so small that they can get into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems).
Second, coal stockpiles emit volatile gases that can also lead to the formation of PM2.5 and when coal is delivered to a power plant, it goes through a lot of handling, including unloading, separating “light dust” from the coal and crushing the coal to make it suitable for burning. These processes all generate fine particulates.
Experts have linked exposure to fine particulate pollution to increased deaths and ailments caused by cardiovascular diseases and respiratory infections.
A 2017 United Nations Children’s Fund report found that air pollution is associated with pneumonia, which is responsible for the death of 920,000 children under the age of five years ever year.
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DMCs dumping garbage in Malir, Lyari riverbeds
December 23, 2016
KARACHI: Central, Korangi and East District Municipal Corporations (DMCs) have started dumping garbage and debris into Malir Riverbed and on different sites in Lyari Riverbed...
https://dailytimes.com.pk/38935/dmcs-dumping-garbage-in-malir-lyari-riverbeds/
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Study shows Karachi coastline faces severe pollution
Sep 16, 2001
http://gasandoil.com/news/south_east_asia/799ad16ff43aa1fae40e00cd02fea521
The Karachi coastline, which is more than 135 km-long, is facing severe pollution due to a combination of factors resulting from industrial, port, municipal, and transportation activities in the area, a survey shows. A study found that some of the marine life was contaminated with lead, which if consumed by humans through seafood, has been linked to anaemia, kidney failure and brain damage.
The study also revealed that even the mangrove forests - protecting the feeder creeks from sea erosion as well as a source of sustenance for fishermen - are threatened by this pollution. Pakistan is heavily dependent on these mangrove forests to maintain ecological balance. The mangrove leaf litter provides a major source of nutrients.
The mangroves provide a diverse habitat for a complex and interdependent community of invertebrates, fish, birds, and reptiles; and the primary productivity of these mangrove-covered dialytic areas is four to seven times those of coastal areas without mangroves. The shipping industry, through its discharges, water pollution, and possible leakages and spills, impacts on this environment.
The greatest pollution occurs at Karachi Port -- because of its high usage -- from vessels illegally pumping out bilges and refuse at the port's oil terminal. Sewage and garbage from visiting vessels are often uncontrolled, and though the offenders are often fined by port authorities, this has not proved an effective deterrent. Moreover, port authorities are ill-equipped and inadequately trained to recognize other hidden toxic dumping activities, such as dumping toxic waste at sea or by leaving wrongly labelled containers on land.
The World Bank noted in an environmental study that "sewage and toxic matter (pollution at the Karachi Port) includes:
(i) toxic effects either direct or indirect by bio-accumulation of oil, DDT, PCB, and various metals;
(ii) avoidance reaction by fish and shrimp because of poor water quality;
(iii) distortion of organisms and reduction in their reproduction because of poor water quality and the fact that parts of the mudflat areas are being covered with oil; and
(iv) increased erosion because dying mangroves can no longer reinforce the banks with their roots."
The port is also affecting the environment with its heavy shipping of oil and subsequent dredging activities: traits common in the shipping industry. Due to the country's spiralling dependence on oil imports, oil is one of the major cargoes imported at the port. However, an estimated 90,000 tpy of oily discharges are pumped out within port limits and there exists no oily ship waste reception or treatment facility within the port.
In addition, a common environmental problem associated with the shipping industry, dredging, is having a major impact. Dredging is the process of removing silt build-up in the port from entering and exiting of ships. The dredged material is dumped out to sea to maintain the port. However, there is no system for monitoring trace metal in the dredged spoil which is further deteriorating the environment.
A significant percentage of coastal pollution is contributed when the export industries ship their goods through the Karachi Port. The port induces polluting industries to set up shops nearby in order to expedite exportation. The pollution from these industries is affecting the environment because much of the factories' effluents are untreated and released directly into the port area.
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Environment of Karachi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_of_Karachi
Karachi has many environmental issues, severely affecting its biophysical environment as well as human health. The industrialization as well as lax environmental oversight have contributed to the problems. The various forms of pollution have increased as Karachi which has caused widespread environmental and health problems. Air pollution, lack of proper waste management infrastructure and degradation of water bodies are the major environmental issues in Karachi...
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Impact of climate change on health in Karachi, Pakistan
2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278221000110
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SHC moved against dumping of sewage, industrial waste at Sea View
August 10, 2017
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/222585-SHC-moved-against-dumping-of-sewage-industrial-waste-at-Sea-View
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Hundreds of dead newborn girls have been found dumped in garbage piles in Pakistan over the last year as cultural preference for boys drives more parents to murder babies
1 May 2018
345 babies found in garbage in Karachi since January last year, charities reveal
99 per cent found to be girls amid a cultural preference for boys, report says
In one horrifying case in, a four-day-old was found dead with her throat slit
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5678025/Hundreds-dead-newborn-girls-dumped-garbage-piles-Pakistan-year.html
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Pakistan continues its kill and dump Policy in Balochistan
August 9, 2019
https://thebalochistanpost.net/2019/08/pakistan-continues-its-kill-and-dump-policy-in-balochistan/
The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB), an NGO based in France and Sweden, recently published a Bi-annual report titled 2019 Balochistan: The State of Human Rights. This report was published one week after the HRCB had issued a message of appreciation to Members of the European Parliament for “raising the issue of an ethnic cleansing in Balochistan” and hoped that “the civilized world would take steps to bound Pakistan of the instruments it has signed/ratified”.
It is a chilling read. In just six months, 371 people have disappeared and 158 have been killed across 6 districts of Balochistan. Thousands of people have gone missing from the region since the early 2000’s, and hundreds of those who have disappeared are often found later, dead on a roadside. The Pakistani government is known to operate a policy of kill and dump in Balochistan. On the 8th of January 2019, ten bodies that were decomposed ‘beyond recognition’ were brought for burial by the Edhi foundation to Teramil Graveyard, Dasht. These bodies were buried without DNA analysis despite the fact that the Pakistani courts have ordered DNA analysis of all “beyond recognition bodies”.
The Balochistan region is under the control of Pakistan’s military and has become a battlefield between security forces and armed groups, including hard line nationalists. In 2014, three mass graves were discovered containing more than one hundred bodies, in Tootak, Khuzar and another was discovered in July 2018, in Panjgur. Some bodies in the mass graves bore signs of torture. Unlike most war zones, this region is inaccessible for both Pakistani and foreign media, and the stories of the oppressed Baluchi people has no way to be shared with the rest of the country, and the world.
The tortured body of an 8-year-old child was found dumped in a sewage line in Pashin on the 6th of March. According to the police, the body bore clear marks of torture. During March 2019, sixty people were forcibly disappeared by security forces, fifteen were shot dead and seventeen unidentified bodies were recovered. The abductions include women and children, particularly those who are related to campaigners and political workers. These people are often taken from their homes by the military and kept in isolation for weeks, sometimes even months. They are then moved to illegal detention centres, run that by death squads, but supervised and sponsored by the military. These cases came into light in April 2018, after a woman named Naz Gul, who was five months pregnant at the time of her detention, died in one of the illegal detention centres after repeatedly being denied medical assistance for pregnancy-related complications.
A well-known Balochi writer and author of five books Nazar Mohammad was abducted by security forces on the 5th of March, 2019. He is a serving sergeant in the Royal Oman Army, in Sultanate of Oman. He was on his vacation and reached Turbat on the 26th of January, 2019, to spend his vacation with his family and friends, and was supposed to resume duty on the 20th of March. His whereabouts since his abduction are still unknown.
Lucrative access and resource agreements exclude the Baluch people from the rightful ownership of their assets. The construction of the Gwadar deep sea port and road infrastructure between Gwadar to Kashghar, in China, part of the planned China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has resulted in untold human rights abuses that the Baloch people liken to “ethnic cleaning”. The Pakistani military has used a heavy hand to seize the resources of Baluchistan for itself and its cronies, especially its oil, gas and rare earth metals. Additionally, the Pakistan military regularly carries out strategic military exercises in the region, including nuclear testing and storage. Villages that block any proposed route are burnt to ashes and the people forcefully removed. It is generally believed that the military of Pakistan is beyond the accountability, and cannot be controlled by any civilian institution, including the Pakistan Parliament and judiciary.
Protests, campaigns and calls for local justice and international support has had little effect. Women and children set up a protest camp in front of Quetta press club, in the capital city of the province in 2009, and have maintained their vigil even to this day, such is the resilience of the Baloch people in fighting for their justice. In January 2019, 70 previously missing people were released due to the pressure from the families of missing people’ , but these families are also exhausted from a seemingly unending series of protests and visits to the courts, which bring few, if any, results.
Hundreds of thousands of Baluch people are displaced daily due to continuous military operations. These internally displaced persons are living without shelter in the harsh weather of Balochistan, often without food and drinking water. Many others have fled to Afghanistan and Iran living a similarly miserable life. No humanitarian organization has proffered any aid thus far, or has published registers of these displaced, war-effected, people. Millions of people are suffering. The issue of forced disappearances and missing people, and the extra judicial killings, must be investigated. There is an urgent need for humanitarian aid to be provided to the hundreds of thousands of people being displaced by this war. Pakistan is a recipient of the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). As such, the European Commission has a responsibility to monitor and evaluate the situation across the whole of Pakistan and ensure that Pakistan is complying with the obligations of the 27 international core conventions, including those on human rights. Ironically, the European Commission has not visited Balochistan. This oversight speaks to the Commission’s failing in their responsibility to tax payers, as well as failing the people of Balochistan, by allowing these human rights abuses to continue.
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Balochistan: Pakistan’s “Kill and Dump” Policy
Mar 29, 2016
https://unpo.org/article/19046
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When will UN open its eyes to Pakistan’s atrocities in Balochistan?
May 8, 2020
https://www.newsintervention.com/when-will-un-open-its-eyes-to-pakistans-atrocities-in-balochistan/
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‘Systematic genocide by Pakistan’: Baloch human rights groups urge G7 to investigate
June 13, 2021
London [UK], June 13 (ANI): Claiming a systematic genocide in Balochistan by Pakistani security forces, the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) urged the Group of Seven (G7) leaders to investigate the heinous crimes by Pakistan in the region.
https://www.zee5.com/zee5news/systematic-genocide-by-pakistan-baloch-human-rights-groups-urge-g7-to-investigate
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Human rights situation remains alarming in Pakistan says report
2nd July, 2021
https://www.daily-sun.com/post/562224/Human-rights-situation-remains-alarming-in-Pakistan-says-report
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When will UN Open its Eyes to Pakistan's Atrocities in Balochistan
https://www.newsintervention.com/when-will-un-open-its-eyes-to-pakistans-atrocities-in-balochistan/
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Human rights situation remains alarming in Pakistan says report
2nd July, 202
https://www.daily-sun.com/post/562224/Human-rights-situation-remains-alarming-in-Pakistan-says-report
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Judges put scandal of Pakistan’s toxic water under microscope
December 9, 2017
https://asiatimes.com/2017/12/judges-put-scandal-pakistans-toxic-water-microscope/
The Supreme Court has taken up an issue of life and death that the political establishment has shown no interest in addressing
Where Pakistan’s elected government has failed to check the alarming contamination of drinking water and exposure of millions to pollution-related disease, it has fallen to the country’s Supreme Court to step in.
The apex court this week summoned Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of Sindh, to express deep concern over his government’s indifference to water pollution in the province, including human refuse being found in channels supplying drinking water.
During proceedings, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nasir commented: “This is a matter of people’s lives which cannot be ignored. As the government failed to fulfill its responsibility, the judiciary has to intervene.”
Advocate Shahab Usto, who was among the petitioners, told Asia Times that 29 districts in Sindh alone were affected by contaminated water, adding that “80% of water in Karachi, 85% in Hyderabad, 88% in Larkana and 78% in Shikarpur is polluted, containing highly toxic ingredients which are injurious to public health.”
He said that half of all educational institutions in Sindh were devoid of potable water facilities, while the rest are supplied with unfiltered, untreated water. He revealed that waste from hospitals, factories, and municipal buildings in the province is commonly disposed of in water sources.
Last year, the Pakistan Senate was told that more than 80% Pakistanis had no option but to drink contaminated water. The findings were based on a study by the Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) which collected water samples from 2,807 villages in 24 districts across the country and found that 82% of water was polluted with bacteria, toxic metals, turbidity, total dissolved solids, nitrates, and fluoride. In all, 84% of the water supply was found to be not fit for consumption.
“This is a matter of people’s lives which cannot be ignored. As the government failed to fulfill its responsibility, the judiciary has to intervene”
The PCRWR study revealed that microbiological contamination was one of the leading causes of cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid, while arsenic pollution in water causes various types of diabetes, hypertension, birth defects, multiple types of cancer, as well as skin, kidney, heart and vascular diseases.
The ministry told the upper house that 24 state-of- the-art water testing laboratories has been set up around the country at a cost of Rs.1.2 billion (US$11.338 million) and other measures had been taken, including the introduction of microbiological testing kits, low-cost arsenic detection kits and the distribution of chlorination and disinfection tablets.
The labs, which are supposed to identify contamination in drinking water, remain ineffectual in improving the quality of potable water, however. Staff members’ salaries are not paid regularly – which has resulted in a drain of staff with relevant qualifications, including PhDs, who have moved on to greener pastures.
In August this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned the Pakistani authorities that 60 million people in the country were exposed to arsenic contamination, with Punjab and Sindh being the highest-risk areas. Arsenic levels in those provinces was at between 70 and 100 micrograms per liter, as against the WHO’s “safe level” of 10 micrograms. The WHO report noted that “higher concentrations of arsenic in drinking water have hazardous effects on the human body,” including causing cardiovascular diseases, skin cancers, skin lesions and neuro-developmental delays.
Any hopes that the WHO’s findings might motivate policymakers in Pakistan to take steps to remedy the situation have proved unfounded. The political class has all but laughed off the WHO report, preferring to take a head-in-the-sand approach that has only resulted in further deterioration of supplies. In Punjab and Sindh in particular, the situation has gone from bad to worse.
The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), in Punjab, and the Pakistan People’s Party, in Sindh, have been in power for decades. The PML (N) stronghold of Lahore, and the Bhutto family’s hometown, Larkana, each have water contamination levels of over 88%. The political establishment prefers to remain in deep slumber, however.
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Water pollution case: Murad Ali Shah, Mustafa Kamal appear in SC
Dec 6, 2017
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal appeared before three-member Supreme Court bench that resumed hearing of a case pertaining to air and water pollution.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar is heading the bench hearing a plea filed by Advocate Shahab Usto last year concerning provision of clean drinking water and safe environment in Sindh.
https://www.samaa.tv/news/2017/12/water-pollution-case-cm-sindh-likely-appear-sc-today/
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Pollution at Karachi Fish Harbour: SWC summons top officials on June 30
Jun 27th, 2018
https://fp.brecorder.com/2018/06/20180627385127/
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KARACHI: Pollution adds to health hazards: Symposium told
December 14, 2003
KARACHI,
Dec 13: Domestic environment with low quality of houses, poor hygienic
conditions, cooking system used in rural areas, inadequate garbage
disposal, heavy indoor pollution and lack of drainage cause 30 per cent
of the total burden of diseases in the developing counties.
https://www.dawn.com/news/129461/karachi-pollution-adds-to-health-hazards-symposium-told
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KARACHI: Research institute warns of high pollution at beach
September 8, 2005
https://www.dawn.com/news/155731
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ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCES IN THE COASTAL AREAS OF PAKISTAN AND KARACID HARBOUR
1995
http://aquaticcommons.org/17785/1/PJMS4.2_159.pdf
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‘Does Karachi belong to anyone?’
July 12, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1493523
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Karachi’s catastrophic pollution of the sea
Jun 9, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR0hGuxUrdI
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METAL POLLUTION ASSESSMENT IN SEDIMENTS OF
KARACHI COAST, PAKISTAN
2011
http://thenucleuspak.org.pk/oldsite/Fulltext/7%20MS-817%20A%20Mashiatullah_p223.pdf
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Accumulation of Heavy Metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr) in Tissues of Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Family-Scombridae) Fish Marketed by Karachi Fish Harbor
2015
https://benthamopen.com/FULLTEXT/BIOLSCI-1-20
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Heavy metal concentration in dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758) from Karachi Harbour, Pakistan
2015
https://www.fisheriesjournal.com/vol2issue5/Pdf/2-5-30.1.pdf
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Confrontation With ‘Nature’ That’s Actually Destroying Karachi
Mar 11, 2021
https://www.voiceofsindh.com.pk/confrontation-with-nature-thats-actually-destroying-karachi/
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Marine and coastal ecosystem challenges in Pakistan
July 9, 2018
Another major issue is the discharge of hazardous waste into the sea. This waste includes hospital wastages, plastic pollution, and oil spills from ships. A study by WWF indicates that 65 per cent of litter on coastal area consists plastic bottles, wrappers, bags, disposable utensils etc
https://dailytimes.com.pk/264566/marine-and-coastal-ecosystem-challenges-in-pakistan/
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Coastal development and its direct impact on Pakistan
March 18, 2020
https://dailytimes.com.pk/578677/coastal-development-and-its-direct-impact-on-pakistan/
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Assessing the relationship and influence of black carbon on distribution status of organochlorines in the coastal sediments from Pakistan
2014
Abstract
Levels of total organic carbon (TOC) and black carbon (BC) were determined together with those of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the selected eighteen coastal sites (n = 285) along the Arabian Sea from Pakistan. Results showed that the total concentration of TOC, BC, ∑OCPs and ∑26PCBs ranged between 0.3 and 2.9% dw, 0.1–0.2% dw, 0.9–110 ng g−1 dw and 6.2–1200 ng g−1 dw, respectively. Correlation analysis of BC (r = 0.26–0.89) and TOC (r = 0.06–0.69) revealed a stronger association with studied compounds. The sedimentary depositional fluxes (D) for ∑OCPs and ∑26PCBs were calculated as 1.7 and 4.9 tons yr−1, respectively. In the coastal belt of Pakistan, sedimentary mass inventories (I) indicated the presence of 13 and 37 metric tons of ∑OCPs and ∑26PCBs, respectively.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749114001158
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Sources
of laminated sediments in the northeastern Arabian Sea off Pakistan and
implications for sediment transport mechanisms during the late Holocene
October 17, 2018
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0959683618804627
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Trace metals health risk appraisal in fish species of Arabian Sea
24 June 2016
https://springerplus.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40064-016-2436-6
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Kashmir: The Decline of Wular Lake
2014
https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/kashmir-decline-wular-lake
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Chromium contamination in water, sediment and its bioaccumulation in
Indian major carps in River Chenab, Pakistan
2016
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/zology/PDF-FILES/13-Chromium_V31_1_2016.pdf
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Toxic Trace Metals Assessment in Selected Organs of Edible Fish Species, Sediment and Water in Head Punjnad, Punjab, Pakistan
2020
http://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Toxic-Trace-Metals-Assessment-Selected-Organs-Pakistan/26/1/2911/html
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Pollution Loads and Ecological Risk Assessment of Metals and a Metalloid in the Surface Sediment of Keenjhar Lake, Pakistan
2020
http://www.pjoes.com/Pollution-Loads-and-Ecological-Risk-Assessment-nof-Metals-and-a-Metalloid-in-the,117659,0,2.html
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Heavy metals contamination and ecological risk assessment in surface sediments of namal lake, Pakistan
2018
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Heavy-metals-contamination-and-ecological-risk-in-Javed-Ahmad/9413ca104924e7ce3d14e7e61b09bf8d6abbbec6
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Metal pollution and ecological risk assessment in marine sediments of Karachi Coast, Pakistan
2012
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-012-2650-9
____________
Water preservation solution for Pakistan.
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/water-preservation-solution-for-pakistan.576567/
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Shortage of Water in Gwadar, the port at the end of corridor China/ Pakistan
2018
Gwadar’s
port city, a hub of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, suffers from
continuous water crisis. There is citizen unrest against the authorities
and the "tanker mafia".
https://ejatlas.org/conflict/shortage-of-water-in-gawadar
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A
comprehensive assessment of environmental pollution by means of heavy
metal analysis for oysters' reefs at Hab River Delta, Balochistan,
Pakistan
2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X20300886
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Spatial
distribution and provenance of heavy metal contamination in the
sediments of the Indus River and its tributaries, North Pakistan:
Evaluation of pollution and potential risks
2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S235218642031484X
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Evaluation of morphodynamics of Miani Hor, a coastal lagoon of Lasbela, Balochistan, Pakistan
2019
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0078323419300636
____________
Miani Hor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miani_Hor
Miani
Hor is a swampy lagoon lying on the coast of Lasbela District of
Balochistan, Pakistan. Covering an area of 7,471 hectares, it was
designated a Ramsar site in May 2001.
Threats
It faces two threats, namely domestic waste disposal and accumulated solid waste debris.
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Drinking water quality assessment in Southern Sindh (Pakistan)
2010 Jul 27
The southern Sindh province of Pakistan adjoins the Arabian Sea coast
where drinking water quality is deteriorating due to dumping of
industrial and urban waste and use of agrochemicals and yet has limited
fresh water resources. The study assessed the drinking water quality of
canal, shallow pumps, dug wells, and water supply schemes from the
administrative districts of Thatta, Badin, and Thar by measuring
physical, chemical, and biological (total coliform) quality parameters.
All four water bodies (dug wells, shallow pumps canal water, and water
supply schemes) exceeded WHO MPL for turbidity (24%, 28%, 96%, 69%),
coliform (96%, 77%, 92%, 81%), and electrical conductivity (100%, 99%,
44%, 63%), respectively. However, the turbidity was lower in underground
water, i.e., 24% and 28% in dug wells and shallow pumps as compared to
open water, i.e., 96% and 69% in canal and water supply schemes,
respectively. In dug wells and shallow pumps, limits for TDS,
alkalinity, hardness, and sodium exceeded, respectively, by 63% and 33%;
59% and 70%, 40% and 27%, and 78% and 26%. Sodium was major problem in
dug wells and shallow pumps of district Thar and considerable percent in
shallow pumps of Badin. Iron was major problem in all water bodies of
district Badin ranging from 50% to 69% and to some extent in open waters
of Thatta. Other parameters as pH, copper, manganese, zinc, and
phosphorus were within standard permissible limits of World Health
Organization. Some common diseases found in the study area were
gastroenteritis, diarrhea and vomiting, kidney, and skin problems.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20658360/
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SHC report finds 77pc of Sindh's water unsafe for human consumption
July 15, 2017
At least 77 per cent of the water in 14 districts of Sindh was found to be unsafe for human consumption, according to an inquiry report submitted before the Sindh High Court (SHC)...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1345508
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In Pakistan's Sindh province, most residents don't have access to clean drinking water
Aug 16, 2016
Though there is no authoritative data on this, all available records indicate that the water in the region is contaminated and unsafe, posing a health hazard.
https://scroll.in/article/813571/in-pakistans-sindhs-province-most-residents-dont-have-access-to-clean-drinking-water
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Dirty water takes heavy health toll in Sindh, Pakistan
Aug. 10, 2016
https://www.eco-business.com/news/dirty-water-takes-heavy-health-toll-in-sindh-pakistan/
By all records available Sindh province in Pakistan shows high levels of pollution, and the current steps being taken are inadequate to deal with the challenge.
While major international forums have advocated for safe drinking water, and many developing countries are striving to provide safe drinking water, the quality of drinking water in urban cities, secondary cities and in rural towns of Sindh in the Indus basin is unsafe to drink.
Figures of access to safe water in Pakistan and in Sindh are variable. According to the WaterAid’s Pakistan Country Strategy 2010-2015, around 50 per cent of the population has adequate access to drinking water and a mere 15 per cent to sanitation.
In December 2015, the federal minister for science and technology said that 82 per cent of Pakistanis consume dirty water. A recent report in Dawn said that 40 per cent of water samples collected from different parts of Karachi were not properly chlorinated.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in 2012, only 36 per cent of Pakistan’s population had access to piped water.
This has serious implications for the health of the people in Sindh. Environmental degradation costs Pakistan PKR 365 billion (USD 3.5 billion) per year, and these costs fall disproportionately upon the poor. About a third of this cost is the result of expenditure incurred on death and diseases due to inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
According to a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report titled, “Pakistan’s Waters at Risk”, 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the hospital beds in Pakistan are occupied by patients suffering from water-related diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis, which are responsible for one third of all deaths.
The WWF report further says: “poor water and sanitation is a major public health concern. Waterborne diseases are responsible for substantial human and economic losses. These include loss of millions of working hours of productivity annually, and associated costs for health care. Reduction in the occurrence of water borne diseases will go a long way in the efforts to alleviate poverty.”
Unfortunately, proper and authoritative data on drinking water quality for Sindh is not readily available. Whatever little data is available shows that the drinking water quality in all cities and towns of Sindh is unsafe and does not meet the WHO’s drinking water guidelines.
In 2013, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) collected and analysed 28 samples of water, collected from different localities of Karachi. Of them, only two were fit for consumption, and the rest 26 samples had bacterial contamination.
PCRWR conducted bacteriological tests on drinking water in Hyderabad, and found that all the 15 sources monitored in Hyderabad city were found unfit to drink mainly due to bacteriological contamination (93 per cent), excessive levels of iron (47 per cent) and turbidity (93 per cent).
A local study collected 52 domestic water samples in Karachi and analysed them for presence of bacterial contamination. The results showed that 50 out of 52 samples had bacteriological contamination. In Karachi, more than 20,000 children die annually, with the majority of deaths caused by drinking contaminated water.
Another study examined water quality in Thatta, a town about 100 km east of Karachi, in 2014. The study found elevated levels of some heavy metals. Presence of bacterial contamination and heavy metals that exceeded the WHO drinking water guidelines was also noted in Karachi and Hyderabad tap waters, in 2014, under a separate study.
Water treatment plants in various towns in Sindh draw their raw water from the Indus River, or from canals, depending on their location. The surface water bodies in Sindh are polluted, with the degree of pollution varying from one location to another.
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Assessment of Physico-chemical parameters in the amphibian environment in District Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan
2014
Abstract
Amphibians are integral part of global diversity since these wild animals play a significant role in
maintaining ecosystem within balanced state and occupy a distinct position of economic importance. Therefore their decline is a main issue caused by many reasons including environmental contamination. In the perspective of non-optimal impact of contaminants on amphibians, present study proposed to evaluate Physico-chemical parameters in their environment for the period of one year (2013) in District Hyderabad. The parameters: pH, electric conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were analyzed by using pH meter and conductivity meter. The results indicated water contamination in all eight amphibian dwellings due to EC (3277.9±1301.2) and TDS (2071.7±562.7), while pH was within normal value. This unsuitable environmental condition may make amphibian survival difficult in the study area.
https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2014/vol2issue5/PartD/77.pdf
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Nematode community structure and trophic group composition of fresh water nematodes from Sindh, Pakistan
2017
http://www.pjn.com.pk/papers/1515992162.pdf
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Assessment of Water Quality of Groundwater of Thar Desert, Sindh, Pakistan
January 05, 2019
https://www.scitechnol.com/peer-review/assessment-of-water-quality-of-groundwater-of-thar-desert-sindh-pakistan-Rr1A.php?article_id=8364
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Illegal water abstractions running Lahore dry
June 2, 2016
https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/06/02/illegal-water-abstractions-running-lahore-dry/
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An unintended challenge of microplastic pollution in the urban surface water system of Lahore, Pakistan
2020
Abstract
Plastics are widely considered to be a major threat particularly in the
urban areas owing to extensive use of plastic products. The current
study is the first investigation to highlight the microplastics (MPs)
pollution from the freshwater (Ravi River) located in the predominant
urban center, i.e., Lahore, Pakistan. The concentration profile was
quantified from surface water (n = 19) and sediments (n = 19) collected
from different drains and canals of predominant freshwater resources in
Lahore, Pakistan. The highest content of MPs was observed in the sullage
carrier with mean concentration of 16,150 ± 80 MPs/m3 and 40,536 ± 202 MPs/m2
in the water and sediments respectively. The lowest level was detected
in the link canals with mean concentration of 190 ± 141 MPs/m3 in the water and 683 ± 479 MPs/m2
in the sediments. The proportion of large size MPs (300 μm-5 mm) was
maximum in the upstream section of Ravi river, whereas fine size MPs
(50-150 μm) were dominant in the downstream section. In terms of shapes,
the fragments were predominant with a relative abundance of 56.1% and
83.1% followed by fibers with a relative abundance of 38.6% and 11.8% in
the water and sediments respectively. The chemical composition analysis
showed that most of the fibers, fragments, and beads were polyethylene
while the sheets were composed of polypropylene. Nevertheless, the foams
isolated from the samples were composed of polystyrene. Within 24 h,
about 2.4 ± 2.4 billion microplastic pieces were estimated to be
transported from a single water channel into the river. The highest
discharge of MPs was estimated from the sullage carrier with about 7
billion pieces/day.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32133610/
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Spatial patterns of pollutants in water of metropolitan drain in Lahore, Pakistan, using multivariate statistical techniques
09 February 2018
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-018-6504-y
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Not just Bengaluru lakes, Hyderabad's Musi River too sees rise in pollution
2017
After Bengaluru lakes hogging the limelight for pollution concerns, the Musi river, which meanders through Hyderabad is dying a slow death contaminating its surroundings just as the locals are dumping their waste into it.
https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-not-just-bengaluru-lakes-hyderabad-s-musi-river-too-sees-rise-in-pollution-2310802
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Impact of Sewage Water on Quality of Fullali Canal Water, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
30 July 2011
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-7091-0109-4_19
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Pollution and Encroachment of Phuleli Canal along the Periphery of
Hyderabad City of Pakistan
2014
http://nwpii.com/ajbms/papers/AJBMS_2014_2_02.pdf
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Probabilistic risk assessment of water distribution system in Hyderabad, Pakistan reveals unacceptable health hazards and areas for rehabilitation.
28 Jan 2020
Abstract
Poor water quality exacerbates multidimensional poverty in developing
nations. Often centralized treatment facilities generate acceptable
water quality, but the water is contaminated during distribution.
Methods to assess sources of contamination in water distribution systems
are lacking. A case study of two methods, human risk assessment linked
to water distribution system sampling was conducted in Hyderabad,
Pakistan to determine areas requiring infrastructure rehabilitation.
Water samples from source water (i.e., the Indus River), treatment plant
effluent and from taps in the water distribution system were analyzed
by atomic adsorption spectroscopy for metals and metalloids (As, Cd, Cr,
Hg, and Pb) and water quality parameters (dissolved and suspended
solids, pH, conductivity, and total organic carbon). Source water
exceeded acceptable drinking water levels for As, Cd, total Cr, and Pb,
while the treatment plant effluent concentrations were acceptable.
Concentrations of all metals and metalloids, except Hg, increased in the
water distribution system post-treatment, exceeding safe drinking
limits in at least one location, suggesting contamination of the water
during distribution. A deterministic and a probabilistic risk assessment
were conducted to evaluate two scenarios: (1) unrestricted use of piped
water for all household purposes, including as drinking water and (2)
restricted use of the water for purposes other than drinking in the
household, including only dermal and inhalation exposure pathways. The
water was deemed unsafe for unrestricted use as the sole source of
drinking water by both risk assessment methods. Yet when an alternative
source of drinking water was assumed and the piped water was used only
for bathing and dish washing, the probabilistic risk assessment revealed
acceptable health risks to the population, while the overly
conservative deterministic risk assessment suggested unacceptable risks.
The combined methods of water sampling, risk assessment and correlation
analysis suggested areas for rehabilitation of the water distribution
system in Hyderabad, Pakistan and these methods can be adopted in other
developing nations to target limited funds for infrastructure
rehabilitation.
https://europepmc.org/article/MED/32004944
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Spike in water-borne diseases in Hyderabad
August 14, 2019
https://www.healthissuesindia.com/2019/08/14/spike-in-water-borne-diseases-in-hyderabad/
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IMPACT OF URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT OF HYDERABAD CITY ON FRESH WATER PINYARI CANAL
2015
http://publications.quest.edu.pk/downloads/qrj_split_issues/Vol14_2/paper10.pdf
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Tap water safety in Hyderabad (Pakistan)
https://www.iswatersafetodrink.in/pakistan/Hyderabad
____________
No water supply in some areas of Hyderabad on June 25
June 2021
https://www.en.etemaaddaily.com/world/hyderabad/no-water-supply-in-some-areas-of-hyderabad-on-june-25:97671
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Hyderabad recorded highest number of annual dry days in Telangana
Jul 15, 2021
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/hyderabad-recorded-highest-number-of-annual-dry-days-in-telangana/articleshow/84429424.cms
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Pakistan named among top countries dumping plastic in rivers
June 6, 2018
ISLAMABAD: The world is discarding billions of tons of plastic into the oceans – and to your surprise, Pakistan is among the top countries contributing to this pollution, according to UN report.
The United Nations says that around a million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute around the world, while up to five trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year —half of which are designed to be used only once and then thrown away.
Till now, 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced every year — nearly the weight of the entire human population. Of this, a staggering eight million tonnes of plastic ends up in the world’s oceans every year.
The report mentioned that out of the world’s rivers, 10 carry more than 90 per cent of the plastic waste which ends up in the oceans.
Chinese Yangtze River leads with 1.467 million tonnes while Pakistan’s Indus River is at second place with 164,332 tonnes and Chinese Yellow River is at third place with 124,249 tonnes.
Referred among the ‘river of plastics’, UN says about the Indus River: “The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found 90 percent of plastic flowing into oceans can be traced to 10 rivers. The Indus ranks second on the list. One of Asia’s largest rivers, it flows through parts of India and Pakistan into the Arabian Sea, supporting millions of people. While much plastic enters rivers because of a lack of waste infrastructure, sewage systems contribute too.”
Municipal authorities in Pakistan haven’t been able to implement relevant laws to ensure proper disposal of garbage into rivers.
https://arynews.tv/pakistan-among-top-countries-dumping-plastic-rivers/
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Rivers of waste: Pakistan's recyclers go out on patrol – in pictures
2019
About half of the 20m tonnes of rubbish produced by Pakistan each year is burned or thrown into rivers, causing pollution, disease and flooding. A recycling hub in Islamabad is trying to tackle the problem
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2019/feb/27/rivers-of-waste-pakistans-recyclers-go-out-on-patrol-in-pictures
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Plastic Pollution in Pakistan: Environmental and Health Implications Muhamm
September 07, 2020
https://www.longdom.org/open-access/plastic-pollution-in-pakistan-environmental-and-health-implications.pdf
____________
“Plastic Pollution in Pakistan”
2021
https://thefrontierpost.com/plastic-pollution-in-pakistan/
____________
The good, the bad and the ugly of plastics in Pakistan
March 4, 2020
https://www.pk.undp.org/content/pakistan/en/home/blog/2020/the-good--the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-plastics-in-pakistan.html
____________
Prevailing Plastic Pollution in Pakistan
May 21, 2019
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2019/05/21/prevailing-plastic-pollution-in-pakistan/
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How Bad Is Pakistan's Plastic Bag Problem? See For Yourself
August 13, 2019
____________
In Pakistan's northern mountains, plastic bags face the bin
June 26, 2019
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-environment-plastic-feature-idUSKCN1TR144
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Sustainable and Community Waste Management in Eco Fragile Mountain Areas, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
https://www.theuiaa.org/uiaa/sustainable-and-community-waste-management-in-eco-fragile-mountain-areas-gilgit-baltistan-pakistan/
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Call to protect mountains from pollution
December 10, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1594984
____________
Rosie Gabrielle lashes out at tourists for polluting northern areas of Pakistan
June 16, 2021
https://jang.com.pk/en/news/3733-rosie-gabrielle-lashes-out-at-tourists-for-polluting-northern-areas-of-pakistan
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Level of pesticides contamination in the major river systems: A review on South Asian countries perspective
2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021013736
____________
Pakistan Facing Deadly Water Contamination
Jan 11, 2019
https://www.fluencecorp.com/pakistan-water-contamination/
____________
The Cataclysm of Water Pollution in Pakistan
https://wbmfoundation.org/blog/the-cataclysm-of-water-pollution-in-pakistan
____________
Water Pollution in Balochistan Province of Pakistan
2015
https://www.ijeas.org/download_data/IJEAS0206018.pdf
____________
Water Pollution in Pakistan
Apr. 18, 2016
https://www.slideshare.net/Arjmandmunir/water-pollution-in-pakistan-61049120
____________
Water pollution in pakistan
https://www.coursehero.com/file/70876706/Water-pollution-in-pakistandocx/
____________
Water pollution in Pakistan and its impact on public health--a review
2010
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21087795/
____________
The Crisis Potential of Pakistan’s Increasing Water Stress
June 19, 2020
By taking measures to increase storage and improve efficiency, Pakistan can control how acutely it feels a reduction in water.
https://www.stimson.org/2020/the-crisis-potential-of-pakistans-increasing-water-stress/
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Making Every Drop Count: Pakistan’s growing water scarcity challenge
September 29, 2016
https://www.iisd.org/articles/making-every-drop-count-pakistans-growing-water-scarcity-challenge
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Water pollution can reduce economic growth by a third: WB
August 21, 2019
https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/08/21/water-pollution-can-reduce-economic-growth-by-a-third-wb/
WASHINGTON:
Heavily polluted water is reducing economic growth by up to a third in
some countries, a World Bank report said, calling for action to address
human and environmental harm.
The report relied on what the bank
said was the biggest-ever database assembled on global water quality
using monitoring stations, satellite data and machine learning models.
“Clean
water is a key factor for economic growth. Deteriorating water quality
is stalling economic growth, worsening health conditions, reducing food
production, and exacerbating poverty in many countries,” said World Bank
Group President David Malpass.
The report found that when
Biological Oxygen Demand — an index of the degree of organic pollution
and a proxy for overall water pollution — crosses a threshold of 8
milligrams per liter, GDP growth in downstream regions drops by 0.83
percentage points, about a third for the mean growth rate of 2.33
percent used in the study.
This is because of impacts on health,
agriculture, and ecosystems and a “stark indication that there often
trade-offs between benefits of economic production and environmental
quality, and that the externalities… can be circular,” the report said.
A
key contributor to poor water quality is nitrogen, essential for
agricultural production but which leaches into rivers and oceans where
it creates hypoxia and dead zones, and in the air where it forms nitrous
oxide, a greenhouse gas.
The report said that early exposure of
children to nitrates affects their growth and brain development,
reducing their health and earning potential.
For every additional
kilogram of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare, yields may rise up to five
per cent, but childhood stunting increases as much as 19pc and future
adult earnings fall by up to two per cent compared to those not
affected.
And increased salinity as a result of manmade pressures
such as irrigation, stormwater runoff, leaching of fertilizer, and
urban wastewater discharge is pushing down agricultural yields.
The
report estimated enough food is lost to saline water each year to feed
170 million people, about the population of Bangladesh.
The
authors divided their recommendations into three main areas: information
campaigns to raise awareness, prevention efforts to stem some of the
worst problems and investments to treat pollution once it has occurred,
with more modern technologies like reverse-osmosis offering new
pathways.
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Causes Of Waterlogging In Pakistan
2012
https://www.ipl.org/essay/Causes-Of-Waterlogging-In-Pakistan-FK9ANXH4SCFR
____________
Polluted water causes 40% of deaths in Pakistan annually
April 17, 2012
____________
Water Pollution in Lahore, Pakistan
May. 08, 2018
https://www.slideshare.net/UsamaAhmad69/water-pollution-in-lahore-pakistan
____________
Pollution of Lahore canal water in the city premises
Dec 31, 1997
https://www.osti.gov/etdeweb/biblio/693415
____________
Contaminated Water Rings Alarm Bells in Lahore
February 8, 2009
https://www.opfblog.com/6750/contaminated-water-rings-alarm-bells-in-lahore/
____________
Cancer risk assessment and modeling of groundwater contamination near industrial estate, Lahore, Pakistan
February 15 2021
____________
Toxic
fluoride and arsenic contaminated groundwater in the Lahore and Kasur
districts, Punjab, Pakistan and possible contaminant sources
2006 Jun 13
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16777300/
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PAKISTAN’S WATER PROBLEMS: DO WE CARE ENOUGH TO ACT?
July 10, 2013
https://www.agribusiness.com.pk/pakistans-water-problems-do-we-care-enough-to-act/
____________
A review of policies in groundwater management in Pakistan 1950–2000
2002
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1366701702000065
____________
Water development for irrigated agriculture in Pakistan: past trends, returns and future requirements - Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa
http://www.fao.org/3/ac623e/ac623e0i.htm
____________
Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries. 2nd edition.
2006
Chapter 43: Air and Water Pollution: Burden and Strategies for Control
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11769/
____________
Bridging the development-versus-pollution gap in Pakistan
18 June 2013
A boy passes through the heap of garbage in western Karachi (Nov 2012)
https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2013/06/18/bridging-development-versus-pollution-gap-pakistan
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Sialkot industrial, urban waste: groundwater pollution causing serious health Issues
Aug 12th, 2011
Sialkot is known as Pakistan's largest sports and leather goods
producing city along-with leather related industries, textile,
metallurgical and pharmaceutical industries. It earns annually 1.2
billion dollars annually and contributes to the national exchequer.
There are over 264 tanneries, 244 leather garments/products
manufacturing and 900 leather sports good manufacturing units are
scattered in and around the city.
A total of 52 million litres
per day of wastewater along with 1.1 million wastes from tanneries is
discharged into Nullah Aik and Pulkhu, sewerage drains, ponds and open
agricultural lands from the Sialkot city. According to different
estimate, each tannery in the district generates 547-814 m3/day volume
of wastewater. The industrial units have no wastewater treatment
facilities.
This large volume of industrial and urban waste is
considered as the major threat to ground and surface water of the area.
Quality of the groundwater - main source of drinking and irrigation is
getting deteriorated due to untreated discharge of industrial and urban
effluent and chemical substances in agriculture. Untreated industrial
process water, irresponsible dumping of the solid and sludge waste has
become the deadliest threat for the health and safety of the people
living in the areas directly effected by such practices.
The
drinking water in the area contains highly volumes of arsenic, sulphates
and chromium and by any standard this is not fit for drinking for human
beings and animals. Despite being fatal in its essential
characteristics it is being used for irrigation to become a part of the
food chain for human beings and even for the livestock to eventually
play havoc with the life and health of the voiceless souls living here.
Dr
Abdul Qadir, a well known environmental scientist, enlightened the
participants with his views of a seminar "health hazards generated by
industrial solid and fluid waste" arranged by Baidarie Sialkot, here on
Thursday. He said that the number of patients admitted in hospitals of
Pakistan with waterborne diseases has increased about 200 percent in the
last two decades. National Conservation Strategy (NCS) report tells
that about 40 percent of deaths are related to water-borne diseases.
About 25 to 30 percent of all hospital admissions are connected to
water-borne bacterial and parasitic conditions with 60 percent of infant
deaths associated with the same infections.
Drinking and bathing
in polluted water and the sanitation problems are the most common
routes for the spread of diseases with symptoms like abdominal pain,
hair loss, numbness in hands, loss of appetite, eye infections,
irritation of skin, fever, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis,
cryptosporidiosis and guinea worm infections.
Dr Abdul Qadir said
that a "assessment of groundwater contamination in an industrial city"
was conducted by the Environmental Biology, Department of Plant
Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. In the preliminary survey
of tap water used for drinking in the areas hit by tanneries, most of
the samples were found contaminated with coliforms. These coliforms are
major contributors in gastro-intestinal problem. The drinking water
contamination due to municipal sewage and tanneries effluents cause over
82 percent diseases of bowel diseases like dysentery, cholera, typhoid,
and other ailments in Sialkot and its surrounding areas.
Since a
substantial faction of the rural population depends on natural water
bodies for daily water requirements for themselves, and the livestock,
serious health and material losses can be expected in the down stream
areas of Sialkot as tannery effluent has residual effects that can
transmit into food chain.
The expert cautioned about the
extensive use of fertilisers and pesticides and said this is also
contributing to increase groundwater pollution level in vicinities of
Tehsil Sambrial. Nitrogenous fertilisers are used to increase the
fertility and nitrate level in soil. After heavy irrigation nitrates
percolate down in ground water. He revealed that high level of nitrates
in groundwater has been reported at many places in Roras union council.
The
concentration of nitrates in ground water is continuously increasing,
which is an alarming threat for local people. Pregnant women are the
most concerned to harmful impacts of ground water contamination.
Elevated level of nitrates in drinking water can cause abnormalities in
blood circulatory system of developing foetus inside mother womb. This
situation needs urgent steps to provide clean and safe drinking water to
local community, he concluded.
Hina Noureen, President Baidarie
demanded immediate action to save people from ruining of their health.
She said that the innocent poor are being penalised for those faults,
which are not committed by them. One day they learn that they have
become incurably sick but they never know that it is the water
contaminated by the venomous metallic pollutants which they have been
drinking and it is going to swallow their health, domestic economy and
social well-being she said.
She made an emphatic plea with the
government and other stakeholders that immediate arrangements should be
made to provide easy access to purified drinking water to the people.
She said that there is an urgent need to control heavy metals
contamination of groundwater and if this issue is left unattended, this
will pose problems to provide safe drinking water for the human beings.
Speaking
on the occasion, Chaudhry Shabbir-ul-Hassan advocate said that there
exists dire need for environmental awareness; adequate regulations and
proper management of waste sites by the local municipal authorities.
There should be rigorous check on industrial water pollution by
implementing strictly the pollution control laws. The government should
move forward to ensure control on the disposal of untreated effluents
around the industries. Professor Arshad Mehmood Mirza, also, shared his
knowledge with the participants of the seminar.
Concluding the
deliberations during the seminar, Chaudhry Omar Abudullah Ghumman
endorsed that in the best public interest, high concentration of heavy
metals and other hazardous substances in the groundwater quality in the
country in general and Sialkot city in particular should be evaluated.
Through this, a better balance should be achieved by minimising the
seepage of concentrations and anthropogenic contaminants into the water
table and open areas.
https://fp.brecorder.com/2011/08/201108121221849/
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As water disappears, parched southern Pakistan farmers march north
Jul 09 2019
https://www.geo.tv/latest/242624-as-water-disappears-parched-southern-pakistan-farmers-march-north
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Five myths about water in Pakistan
November 15, 2017
https://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/five-myths-about-water-pakistan
Persistent myths, which can misguide policy, are barriers to improving water security for the people of Pakistan. Here are five:
First,
this problem of water security is often presented as one of water
scarcity. But Pakistan is a water-rich country – only 35 countries have
more renewable water. It is true that measured for each person, Pakistan
is approaching a widely recognized scarcity level of 1000 cubic meters
each year. But there are 32 countries that have less water for each
person and most of these countries are much wealthier and use less water
for each person. Pakistan needs to shift its focus from scarcity to
managing water demand and producing more from each drop of water. It
needs to make water allocation more efficient and fair, and offer
incentives that reflect how scarce water is to encourage wise use.
Second,
Pakistan worries about a lack of reservoir storage. Common but
misleading measures cited are “storage volume per person” and storage in
terms of “average days of water demand”, typically compared to other
countries, while ignoring differences in flow variability. Storage is
used to buffer the variability of flows to match the time varying
pattern of demand. In the Indus flows do not vary greatly between years,
partly because of the significant storage the glaciers represent – an
asset most countries lack. Thus, Pakistan has little need for reservoir
storage from one year to the next. Rather, it needs storage to even out
within year variations associated with the monsoon. However, unlike many
countries, in Pakistan the timing of flows is not vastly different to
the timing of demand, although some storage is needed to capture the
monsoon peak and release this water later in the Kharif season and in
the early Rabi season. Additional storage would certainly yield
additional useable water, but any increase in water use will inevitably
reduce the flow to the sea, which is already at an environmentally
unsustainable low level. Given Pakistan’s low economic productivity of
water in irrigation and rapid rates of reservoir sedimentation, it is
hard to justify the costs of major new storages. Hydropower generation
does justify new dams, but these could be run-of-the-river facilities
(not storage), with lower social and environmental impacts.
Third,
there is concern over the loss of the Indus basin glaciers. Upper Indus
flows are strongly dependent on snow melt (22 percent) and glacial melt
(41 percent). Climate change appears to be affecting rainfall, snowfall
and glacier melt but in complex ways with no clear trends. No
significant changes in river flows are projected before 2050. Under
different climate change scenarios average flows either increase
slightly or decrease slightly. Glacial melt is expected to increase, but
be offset by snowmelt reductions. A 20-28 percent reduction in ice
volume is projected, mostly at lower elevations. The Indus has a greater
share of glacial ice at higher elevation than other Himalayan basins,
and although faster rates of warming are expected higher up, the
absolute temperatures projected would not be enough to drive rapid
melting there.
Fourth, irrigation is commonly believed to be
highly inefficient in the Indus leading to a common belief that much
water could be “saved” by capturing “losses”. At the basin-scale
irrigation is estimated to be more than 80 percent efficient, with only a
relatively small proportion of irrigation water lost through
evaporation and non-productive plant use. The big “losses” are drainage
returns to the river and seepage to groundwater, both of which are then
used through diversion downstream or through groundwater pumping.
Indeed, it is canal seepage and percolation to groundwater that supports
the high and increasing levels of groundwater use in the basin. The
problems in irrigation are more to do with inefficient and unfair
distribution of the water, and low productivity in terms of the yield
and value of crops a unit of water used.
Fifth, the flows to the
sea are commonly seen as wastage. Average flow to the sea has been
falling for more than 80 years. Firstly, the eastern rivers were
diverted to India and then storages were constructed in Pakistan.
Average annual flow to the sea has been reduced by more than 80 percent.
There is strong evidence that declining flows (as well as pollution,
reduction in sediment loads and fragmentation of the river by multiple
barrages) is contributing to the declining health of the lower river and
delta and underminging the valuable services these ecosystems provide
including fisheries and coasal protection. The economic value of these
ecosystem services has not been properly assessed.
The Indus
basin is most likely over-developed from an environmental sustainability
perspective in terms of volumes of water diverted for use. There needs
to be more focus on better irrigation service delivery and better
on-farm water management, coupled with improvements to boost
productivity. With a rapidly growing population, Pakistan will
inevitably become more water scarce in a relative sense. But Pakistan
can become water secure through efficient and sustainable resource
management, improved service delivery, and better risk mitigation.
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Pollution-free Peshawar still a pipe dream
April 3, 2016
Rehan Khan Khattak, a resident of Hayatabad, a posh locality of Peshawar, complains that in this modern age household waste collection in the area is carried out by donkey carts while dirt, littered in the streets, markets, parks and around dumping points is a common sight.
He says that filth causes occasional diseases in the area and stinking smell arising out of it makes lives of surrounding dwellers even miserable. “Every day we see sight of donkey carts and swarms of scavengers at our doors. Dirt around bins and dumping sites poses serious threats not only to our environment but also to public health,” he adds.
Mr Khattak says that every political government in the province makes tall claims and design some plans but only ends up with cosmetic changes.
His woeful story has no different tinge than thousands of other citizens of the urban areas of Peshawar, home to population of four million people with no proper and effective civic services delivery system in place to provide a clean and healthy environment to its dwellers.
The condition of cleanliness in Tehkal, Board, inner city, Gulbahar, Bashirabad, Yakatoot, Charsadda Road, Warsak Road, Kohat Road and areas near canals where generally people throw filth and waste is even worse.
Dr Wasim Khan, a senior doctor at Lady Readying Hospital (LRH), while talking about hazardous effects of garbage in the city said that solid waste whether collected from household or hospitals cast serious impacts on public health.
He said that most children and scavengers caught fatal diseases while surfing reusable items in the filth. “We receive children with strange diseases almost every day. Most often incinerators remain out of order. Solid waste management, I believe is a big issue which needs immediate attention,” said Dr Wasim.
Successive provincial governments have failed to restore beauty, serenity and greenery of Peshawar city. The so-called city administrators in the past had devised various plans to bring back old identity and beauty to the historic walled-city.
According to the World Economic Forum, Peshawar once the city of flowers has earned the title of being one of the three most pollutant cities -- other two being Karachi and Rawalpindi in Pakistan. Poor civic services system has multiplied citizens’ problems about healthcare and pollution-free environment.
A reliable source told this scribe that a large number of municipal corporation employees still worked at homes and private offices of influential individuals. “Appointed on political basis at different times, most employees are untrained. Many have never turned up for duty even once in their life while a large number of them work at homes and private offices of influential people in the city. Yet a few do their own business. They come here only for salaries,” said the source.
The previous plans included beautification of the city, removal of encroachments, setting up of green parks, tree plantation drive and pollution-free city campaign but unfortunately none of these seemed to work.
Over the past several years, civic services system in and around Peshawar city went down the drain owing to increasing population, poor waste management and encroachments.
Experts believe that generation of solid household waste in large quantity in urban areas plays a significant role in polluting the provincial metropolitan in addition to many other factors. They said that there was lack of public awareness about proper disposal of solid waste.
Prof Shafiqur Rehman, a senior teacher at the department of environmental sciences, University of Peshawar, told this scribe that he had written a letter to the provincial chief secretary to set up a task force to take some practical steps regarding the adverse effects of pollution.
He said that he had advised the provincial government to devise a comprehensive plan imposing complete ban on vehicles emitting smoke, monitor brick kilns and local factories for violating rules and also chalk out a strategy for scientific disposal of solid wastes.
“I think the proposed plan should also include big cities of the province. Our students and teachers have carried out several surveys of the urban and rural Peshawar city covering almost every aspect. Complete data is available with us. I am yet to receive a positive response from the government,” said Prof Rehman.
Taimur Ahmad Shah, media manager for the Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP), when contacted, said when WSSP was set up in September, 2014 it had many difficult challenges.
“Around 1,500 employees were pulled out from private homes and offices. They were properly trained on the delivery of civic services. Peshawar city was divided into four zones. Around 5,000 trained workers serve under WSSP and are working on several projects to provide better civic services to Peshawarites,” he said.
Mr Shah said that about 100 donkey carts, permitted by Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), were collecting household waste and would be soon replaced by vehicles and small bins. He said that 69 modern vehicles had been commissioned for the purpose.
Mr Shah said that 810 tonnes of waste was being generated per day and a modern system would be introduced to convert solid waste into energy that would produce 10 to 13 megawatts electricity.
“Attendance of workers is being ensured through installation of android phone system. Our rehearsal of public complaints is 98 per cent. The collection of solid waste has risen to 76 per cent from 56 per cent. Five canals passing through the city will be kept clean of garbage as nobody will be allowed to throw garbage into rivers,” said Mr Shah.
He said that mass awareness campaign would be launched through students, teachers, religious scholars and civil society members. “We have planned to penetrate all educational institutions to engage students, researchers and faculty members through banners, pamphlets and billboards to create public awareness,” he said.
Inayatullah, minister for local government and rural development, told this scribe that his department would introduce legislation after examining international practices regarding civic responsibilities.
He said that work was in progress to frame rules to define and fix civic duties and penalties for harming environment and public safety. He said that key performance indicators (KPI) were also being checked to evaluate the performance of WSSP. “We get suggestions from various quarters and stakeholders to restore real identity of Peshawar city. This time around, it will not be a cosmetic change but real civic change,” the minister promised.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1249675
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480mn gallons of polluted water flowing into Karachi sea daily
Apr 03, 2017
ISLAMABAD: About 480 million gallons of polluted water and waste of Karachi city was daily flowing into the sea, causing destruction of marine life.
This was stated by senior officials of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping in a meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping held at Parliament House.
Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Chairman Karachi Port Trust and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The committee was informed that sea pollution is not only affecting marine life but also causing health problems for the city’s residents.
Bizenjo said that his ministry has conducted two meetings with Sindh government to discuss issues related to water pollution. He proposed a jointly devised plan to contain the issue and to protect marine life.
The committee has decided to invite officials of Karachi Water Sewerage Board and other concerned departments in its next meeting.
Senator Taj Haider said that the provincial government initiated water desalination and is currently cleaning 250 million gallons of water under the TP1 and TP3 project.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/136623-480mn-gallons-of-polluted-water-flowing-into-Karachi-sea-daily
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Waste Dumping Dilemma at Karachi Coast
April 25, 2015
https://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/waste-dumping-dilemma-at-karachi-coast/
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Karachi’s polluted sea
October 14, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1510742
PLASTIC isn’t the only issue we are faced with along our coastline; it is also the industrial effluent and untreated sewage. It is estimated that almost 500 MGD of untreated effluent is released into the Arabian Sea. The Karachi Port contributes a shameful 275 MGDs, Karachi’s Lyari River another 100 MGDs, while recent figures showed that 136 MGDs is dumped by the Defence Housing Authority; the rest comes from other tributaries including Nehr-i-Khayam, Malir River, and the Korangi Industrial Area. This has resulted in a staggering drop in marine life populations by 40 percent...
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Study on pollution affecting Karachi coast launched
September 24, 2017
KARACHI: A comprehensive study was launched to assess the scale of pollution affecting the entire city coast, officials at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) told Dawn on Saturday.
“It will be the first time that we will have a complete picture of Karachi’s coast in terms of pollution affecting it,” said Hina Baig, a senior scientist at the NIO.
According to her, the work was initiated after a recent analysis showed presence of disease-causing bacteria in large numbers at various spots of Karachi coast. “Apart from the steps required at the government level, it is important that beach visitors avoid littering and adopt basic hygiene practices, for instance, washing hands before eating, to prevent infection,” she explained.
NIO Director General Dr Asif Inam said the ministry of ports and shipping was requested to facilitate the research. “The study will help the government prioritize areas for action and guide on policy,” he said, adding that Pakistan was a signatory to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 under which it had the obligation to control land-based pollution.
Referring to beach cleaning activities, he said such steps were meaningless unless the sources causing pollution were checked. “Everybody knows the city has no sewage treatment plant as the entire effluent, including the hazardous industrial waste, is being discharged into the sea.
“The case of Clifton beach, however, is more serious as it is frequented by huge crowds. Besides the waste coming from the Lyari river, untreated waste from nearby residential areas as well as restaurants directly goes into the sea here,” he said.
These conditions, he said, aggravated in winters when waste from the Gizri creek also entered the Clifton beach due to change in current movement.
Continued dumping of waste into the sea often caused a navigational hazard in the deep sea. In 2006, he said, plastic bags in the deep sea stuck in the air conditioning system of a cruise and failed it. “That was in 2006 so you can imagine what would be the state of sea pollution right now [in the absence of any government efforts to develop a mechanism for waste treatment and disposal],” he said.
Polluted Clifton beach
A 2016 study conducted by the NIO in collaboration with the Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education, Karachi, showed presence of pathogenic bacteria at nine sites along the coast including three sites representing Korangi creek, Gizri creek and Chinna creek.
The study based on the analysis of sediments, water, flora and fauna found the Korangi creek station most polluted with coliform and other pathogenic bacteria. It also specifically mentions beach spots, such as McDonald’s, Sea view, Village, Sahil Avenue 2 and Do Darya, where coastal water was found to be contaminated with domestic and industrial effluent.
“These spots can’t be considered safe for public use. The situation urgently demands community participation to improve quality of coastal waters,” the study pointed out, citing examples of industrialized countries where water-borne diseases had been effectively controlled through improved means of sewage collection, treatment and disposal.
The study found that industrial effluent and untreated municipal waste and sewage were polluting the creek areas through the Malir and Lyari rivers.
The research, authored by Aneela Shaheen, Hina Saeed Baig and Prof Dr Shahana Urooz Kazmi, highlighted that the contaminated water could not only cause infection but also affect marine animals and, consequently, adversely affect human health.
Turtles under threat
Meanwhile, a number of students, civil society representatives and government officials participated in a beach cleaning activity at Sandspit to mark the International Coastal Clean-up Week.
The event was organized by World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P).
Mohammad Moazzam Khan, technical adviser to the WWF-P, said the Sandspit beach could be a rich habitat for green turtles if the site remained undisturbed and safe as more than 3,000 turtles nest here. “The beach has become very vulnerable due to unregulated developmental activities, encroachments as well as plastic litter, discarded glass and leather that interfere with their nesting cycle,” he explained. According to him, Karachi generates around 12,000 metric tonnes of solid waste a day, with most of it finding its way into the sea through drains and rivers.
Engineer Zahoor Ahmad, assistant director of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, said that though his organization had limited resources, it was trying to devise a better system for waste collection and disposal.
Dr Babar Khan, regional head of Sindh and Balochistan WWF-P, spoke about the role turtles played in marine ecology. “They maintain healthy sea-grass beds and coral reefs, providing key habitat for other marine life, helping to balance marine food webs,” he observed, adding removing turtles from waters negatively impacted the marine ecosystem.
He also called for government measures to protect beaches and create awareness on the rationale use of plastic and to promote the use of recyclable materials.
Dr Mohammad Khursheed, Director General of South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP), Sri Lanka, also took part in the drive that concluded with the distribution of certificates among students.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1359569
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Toxic seawater causing skin diseases in Karachi
2018
The
seawater at Karachi’s Clifton beach has become toxic. It’s causing skin
diseases, according to a study by Pakistan Council of Research in Water
Resources. The sun-kissed Clifton beach is being polluted, with sewage
water directly discharged into the sea through two major sewage nullahs.
But thousands of citizens daily visit the beach without knowing...
https://www.samaa.tv/video/2018/05/toxic-seawater-causing-skin-diseases-in-karachi/
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How Karachi’s waste is poisoning Pakistan
April 4, 2015
https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/04/04/how-karachis-waste-is-poisoning-pakistan.html
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Karachi's Clifton Beach swamped by syringes and medical waste
3 September 2019
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49562462
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Heavy metal pollution from medical waste incineration at Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2008
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026265X08000416
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Comparison
of heavy metal contamination during the last decade along the coastal
sediment of Pakistan: Multiple pollution indices approach
2016
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X16300704
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Pakistan's Coastal and Marine Resources
2016
https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/pk_coastal_resources_handbook.pdf
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‘Karachi among five most polluted cities in the world’
June 04, 2016
SEPA calls upon government to revisit policy to declare 32 main roads of city commercial
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1116509/lets-clear-air-karachi-among-five-polluted-cities-world
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‘Neglect and pollution will destroy breathtaking spots off Karachi’s coast’
2012
Yousaf Ali has been taking care of the coral reef near Churna Island for over 30 years.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/444183/neglect-and-pollution-will-destroy-breathtaking-spots-off-karachis-coast
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Chemical composition of wet precipitation of air pollutants: A case study in Karachi, Pakistan
2013
Abstract
Air pollution has been considered one of
the most important environmental challenges because of its direct effect
on ecosystems and human health. Temporal changes in the composition of
20 samples of rainwater in the arid region of Karachi, Pakistan during
the southwest monsoon of 2009 have been monitored to carry out the
indirect assessment of air quality. The study has been fulfilled with
the aim of identifying the level of air pollution, and the relative
contribution of possible anthropogenic activities. Metal ions were
analyzed to predict health risks. Rain samples were found to be alkaline
(pH 5.55-7.55) due to the influence of calcium and magnesium rich
particles. Continuous rains in consecutive days showed a remarkable
decline in air pollution while the dry season boosted up the level of
pollution. Strong correlations of total dissolved solids with K+, Na+,
Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl- were observed. A
relatively weak correlation of total suspended particles with metals
showed the possibility of some other particulate matters being suspended
in the air. Principal component analysis and analysis of means were
used to predict the anthropogenic source of pollution. This study will
be helpful to formulate strategic planning and policies for controlling
the level of air pollution in the city.
http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0187-62362014000100004
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Dirty old town: tackling air pollution in Karachi
18 January 2021
Government
officials put green stickers on vehicles fit for the road while owners
of unfit vehicles are fined and given red stickers
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/monitoring-vehicles-for-harmful-gas-emissions-in-karachi-b1787929.html
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Protecting Karachi’s coastal habitat
May 24, 2015
We need a national protected area status, which could be that of a wildlife sanctuary
https://tribune.com.pk/story/891629/protecting-karachis-coastal-habitat
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Water Pollution...! A Serious Civic Issue of Karachi
September 2017
https://www.avensonline.org/wp-content/uploads/JES-2471-4879-03-0020.pdf
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Heavy metals pollution in the coastal environment of Karachi
1992
http://aquaticcommons.org/16081/1/PJMS1.2_117.pdf
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Metal pollution and ecological risk assessment in marine sediments of Karachi Coast, Pakistan
2012
https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journals/metal-pollution-and-ecological-risk-assessment-in-marine-sediments-of-aJORyUL40Y
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Pakistan’s Coastal Pollution Dilemma
May 6, 2018
https://pervaizasghar.com/2018/05/pakistans-coastal-pollution-dilemma/
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Quantities and composition of shore debris along Clifton Beach, Karachi, Pakistan
21 July 2015
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11852-015-0404-x
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A sea that’s got the blues
October 14, 2010
Clifton beach's once blue waters have turned a dark, grimy colour, stench from rotting seashells adds to ugliness.
The
beach was Karachi’s last saving grace when it came to comparisons with
any other city in Pakistan. But its once blue waters, especially at
Clifton beach, have turned a dark, grimy colour. The stench from rotting
seashells has added to the ugly 14-kilometre coastline.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/62127/a-sea-thats-got-the-blues-karachi-city
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‘Red tide’ badly affects coral reefs of Churna Island
October 6, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1211158
KARACHI:
The red algal bloom that occurred along the Sindh-Balochistan coast in
the months of August and September killed a number of marine species, a
World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) expert said on Monday.
Apart
from fish mortality reported from Pasni and Ormara in Balochistan, the
phenomenon commonly referred to as red tide also severely affected the
coral reefs of Churna Island in Karachi.
“The red tide (called
mara pani in local language) started from Gwadar in early August and
then moved towards the east and covered the entire Pakistan coast. It
died down by the end of last month,” said Mohammad Moazzam Khan, working
as technical advisor on marine fisheries with WWF-P. He added that the
tide caused the death of benthic fishes and invertebrates.
He,
however, didn’t link the presence of dead fish on the Sea View beach in
early August with the red tide. “There must be some other reason for
their death because the red tide had almost died down by the time it
reached Karachi. I was in Gwadar where the phenomenon had developed and
took photos of the discoloured seawater,” he added.
The
information about the bleached coral reefs, he noted, was recently
provided by some scuba divers who had gone to Churna Island.
“Since
there has been no significant change in the marine ecology in that area
in recent times, it appears that the red tide had turned the
multi-coloured coral reefs white and green and killed the little
organisms that make up their diverse ecosystem,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for a thorough investigation into the bleaching of coral reefs.
First reported red tide
A
red tide, Mr Khan explained, was a ‘bloom’ of microscopic,
single-celled plants called phytoplankton, that occur naturally in
coastal waters.
“A ‘bloom’ occurs when a particular species of
phytoplankton begins reproducing rapidly to the extent that the colour
of the water changes from its bluish shade to hues of red, orange,
green, yellow etc,” he said, adding that red tides in Pakistan was not a
rare occurrence.
Every year during March-April, August-September
and October-November, he pointed out, red tides might occur. Some of
these red tides could be toxic (because of the toxins produced by the
plants).
According to him, the first record of red tide in
Pakistan was reported by Ibn Majid, an Omani who was considered as a
great navigator of the Indian Ocean. He mentioned the discolouration of
the sea resulting in the death of fishes near the Indus Delta back in
the 14th century.
In 1907, the British government piloted a
commission to investigate the cause behind the decline of Karachi’s
characteristic high quality oysters. Mr Hornell submitted a report in
1908 in which he attributed the decline to overfishing, and the red
tide.
“Since the 1970s, many studies have been conducted about
the plants responsible for causing the red tide and many such species
have been identified,” he said. He added that 10 dolphins were reported
dead following a red tide that hit Karachi in 1995; the phenomenon was
also reported in the city in 2013.
He further said that in
developed countries the practice was to close down the area where a red
tide occurred and fishing was banned as catch from such waters could
harm humans. In Pakistan, however, people lacked awareness on this
issue.
According to a research published in the Marine Pollution
Bulletin last year, algal blooms (red tide) may be either of natural
origin (currents, high winds, dust deposition, etc) or the result of
anthropogenic activities (coastal industries, maritime transportation,
domestic and commercial actions).
“These blooms are detrimental
in many aspects as they affect the environment (aquatic life and water
quality), economy (fishing, fish farming and desalination industry), and
tourism (closing down of beaches and coastal parks),” says the report.
The phenomenon can last for days and even months.
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Live
(Rose Bengal stained) and dead benthic foraminifera from the oxygen
minimum zone of the Pakistan continental margin (Arabian Sea)
January 2007
Abstract
Live (Rose Bengal stained) and dead benthic foraminiferal communities (hard-shelled species only) from the Pakistan continental margin oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) have been studied in order to determine the relation between faunal composition and the oxygenation of bottom waters. Samples were taken from 136 m to 1870 m water depth during the intermonsoon season of 2003 (March–April). Live foraminiferal densities show a clear maximum in the first half centimetre of the sediment only few specimens are found down to 4 cm depth. The faunas exhibit a clear zonation across the Pakistan margin OMZ. Down to 500 m water depth, Uvigerina ex gr. U. semiornata and Bolivina aff. B. dilatata dominate the assemblages. These taxa are largely restricted to the upper cm of the sediment. They are adapted to the very low bottom-water oxygen values (≈ 0.1 ml/l in the OMZ core) and the extremely high input of organic carbon on the upper continental slope. The lower part of the OMZ is characterised by cosmopolitan faunas, containing also some taxa that in other areas have been described in deep infaunal microhabitats. The contrast between faunas typical for the upper part of the OMZ, and cosmopolitan faunas in the lower part of the OMZ, may be explained by a difference in the stability of dysoxic conditions over geological time periods. The core of the OMZ has been characterised by prolonged periods of stable, strongly dysoxic conditions. The lower part of the OMZ, on the contrary, has been much more variable over time-scales of 1000s and 10,000 years because of changes in surface productivity and a fluctuating intensity of NADW circulation. We suggest that, as a consequence, well-adapted, shallow infaunal taxa occupy the upper part of the OMZ, whereas in the lower part of the OMZ, cosmopolitan deep infaunal taxa have repeatedly colonised these more intermittent low oxygen environments.
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Assessment of groundwater quality in the coastal area of Sindh province, Pakistan
2016
Abstract
Groundwater is a highly important resource, especially for human
consumption and agricultural production. This study offers an assessment
of groundwater quality in the coastal areas of Sindh province in
Pakistan. Fifty-six samples of groundwater were taken at depths ranging
from 30 to 50 m. Bacteriological and physico-chemical analyses were
performed using the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater. These were supplemented with expert interviews and
observations to identify the usage of water and potential sources of
pollution. The quality of the groundwater was found to be unsuitable for
human consumption, despite being used for this purpose. The
concentrations of sulfate and phosphate were well within the tolerance
limits. Most critical were the high levels of organic and fecal
pollution followed by turbidity and salinity. Metal concentrations (As,
Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were also determined, and Ni and
Pb strongly exceeded health standards. The study stresses the need for
significant improvements of the irrigation, sanitation, and sewage
infrastructure.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-015-5061-x
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Amin scuba dives into Charna Island to observe bleaching Coral Reefs
22 Mar 2021
He added that Corals were naturally colorful species with mesmerizing
structures that were actually the habitats of various marine life
including jelly fish and other aquatic species.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40076418
ISLAMABAD:
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Malik Amin Aslam on
Monday scuba dived into the Charna Island waters to assess damage being
inflicted due to bleaching of Coral reefs amid rising pollution and
environmental degradation.
The SAPM after wearing proper scuba
diving kit had dived into the deep water and reached the coral reefs
that had gone white due to bleaching at the bottom of the sea.
Spokesperson
of the Ministry of Climate Change Muhammad Saleem Sheikh told APP the
SAPM had also observed the colors of coral reefs found on the rocks in
deep waters and recorded videos and snapshots to present a detailed
report the Prime Minister on the matter.
The federal government
was going to make Charna Island, a 4 kilometers coastline shared by the
provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, a "Second Marine Park" which would
become a protected area, he added.
“It will help conserving the
depleting marine life and also boost eco-tourism in the area. However,
timely action by the federal and provincial governments will save
valuable natural resources,” Sheikh said.
As many as, he said 55
species of coral reefs had been identified in the Island’s deep waters
by World Wide Fund for Nature and University of Karachi’s Centre of
Excellence in Marine Biology under the Darwin Initiative Project.
He
added that Corals were naturally colorful species with mesmerizing
structures that were actually the habitats of various marine life
including jelly fish and other aquatic species.
The rise in
temperature of water in the sea also cause bleaching of the corals as it
was mostly volatile in nature with abrupt rise and fall with developing
environment and scenario, he told.
Replying to a query, he said
Pakistan hosted one of the diverse and unique species of corals that
were rare on the earth whereas environmental pollution mainly caused due
to contamination made by industrial liquid waste being dumped untreated
into the sea was causing its bleaching.
He underscored that a
scuba diver back in November 2020 during his routine venture into the
deep sea to view the corals indicated bleaching of the corals. It
created huge outcry at the local and global levels where the Ministry of
Climate Change and provincial authorities took notice of the situation
and in collaboration with all stakeholders initiated probe into the
matter, he added.
Responding to another query, Sheikh said the
provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan and the federal
government were on the same page to convert the Island into a marine
protected area to ensure immediate intervention for preserving the most
precious asset of the country.
"Effective and sustainable
conservation of the Island is not possible unless it is declared a
marine protected area and all the polluters of its environment are held
accountable to play their in circumventing all sorts of threats being
posed by their interventions to one of the rarest marine ecosystem," he
added.
It merits mention that Astola Island in Baloochistan was
the first marine protected area which was one of the most scenic and
potential key destination for eco-tourism where its regular monitoring
was ensured by the Environmental Protection Agency of Balochistan.
____________
In a first, 'serious' coral bleaching reported in Pakistan near Churna Island
November 26, 2020
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2273639/in-a-first-serious-coral-bleaching-reported-in-pakistan-near-churna-island
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Coral bleaching reported for first time in Pakistan
December 01, 2020
WWF-Pakistan appeals to government to declare Churna Island as a Marine Protected Area
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/coral-bleaching-reported-for-first-time-in-pakistan-1.75605833
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Heat-resistant corals in the Middle East could save the world's dying reefs {Controversial}
June 27, 2018
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/heat-resistant-corals-in-saudi-arabia-could-save-the-worlds-dying-reefs.565464/
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Balochistan government launches inquiry into coral bleaching in Pakistan
Jun 29, 2022
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/balochistan-government-launches-inquiry-into-coral-bleaching-in-pakistan-1.75725903
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In a first, 'serious' coral bleaching reported in Pakistan near Churna Island
November 26, 2020
Pollution, ghost gears, industrial activities pose severe threat to biodiversity around island, warns WWF-Pakistan
KARACHI: WWF-Pakistan
on Thursday appealed to the government to declare Churna Island a
Marine Protected Area (MPA) after coral bleaching was reported in some
areas of the island.
This is the first time that the phenomenon has been reported in Pakistan.
According
to a statement released by the WWF-Pakistan, a PADI certified driver,
Khizar Sharif, while on a diving expedition around the north-eastern
part of Churna Island in the last week of October, noticed serious
bleaching of corals. In some areas, large patches of bleaching were
observed.
WWF-Pakistan termed the bleaching a grave threat to the coastal biodiversity of Pakistan.
Corals
are colonial marine animals that live in clear shallow waters, and are
said to be relatives of jellyfish and sea anemones which form reefs in
some areas of the world. As one of the most diverse ecosystems, these
reefs are referred as rainforests of the sea.
In Pakistan, corals
are found in small quantities around the Churna Island, Astola Island,
Ormara (Roadrigues Shoals), Gwadar and Jiwani in Balochistan.
In
the 2000s, coral patches were identified along the coast of Pakistan
under the Darwin Initiative Project, that involved WWF-Pakistan, Centre
of Excellence in Marine Biology, and Marine Reference and Resource
Centre, University of Karachi.
Later, further studies were
carried out on corals under the WWF-Pakistan’s Pakistan Wetlands
Programme. In total, 55 live coral species were recorded from the
coastal waters of Pakistan, which existed on a very limited area and
were said to be prone to environmental change and other threats,
especially pollution.
A coral pictured near the Churna Island has
turned white after environmental conditions possibly caused it to expel
the zooxanthellae in its tissues. WWF-Pakistan
Corals live in
compact colonies of many identical individual polyps and obtain the
majority of their energy and nutrients from zooxanthellae that live
there. Negative environmental conditions such as abnormally warm or cool
temperatures, high light, and even some microbial diseases can lead to
the breakdown of the relationship (symbiosis) between coral and
zooxanthellae.
In such conditions, corals expel the zooxanthellae
living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white.
This process is called coral bleaching and leads to the death of corals.
According
to Muhammad Moazzam Khan, WWF-Pakistan Technical Advisor (Marine
Fisheries), there can be several possible reasons for bleaching of
corals in Pakistan.
The major reason may be because of the rise
in seawater temperature due to industrial activities, as there is a
thermal power plant, an oil refinery and a single point mooring (SPM) in
the area. The additional infrastructure has been developed at the site
for construction of another coal powered plant, he added.
Cumulative impacts of these activities are likely to be responsible for the coral bleaching.
Furthermore,
there are plans to establish a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) terminal at
Churna Island, that can cause excessive dredging in the area. "If such
development activities are carried out at Churna Island, then they will
not only negatively impact the corals but may wipe out most of the rich
biodiversity from the area," he said.
Commenting on this issue,
Dr Tahir Rasheed, Regional Head Sindh and Balochistan, WWF-Pakistan said
that there is a need to protect the rich biodiversity and pristine
environment of Churna Island. He emphasised that this can only be
achieved by declaring Churna Island a Marine Protected Area (MPA) as the
decision has been pending with the Government of Balochistan.
He
further added that once Churna Island is declared an MPA, industrial
activities will be controlled and tourism can be streamlined. This
declaration will also lead to the management of fisheries in the area,
which can ensure conservation of diverse fish species and can help
reduce ghost fishing.
He urged to closely monitor coral bleaching
in the area, adding that in case any major increase is noticed,
effective mitigation measures should be taken to control it.
In
the past few years, Churna Island has become a major attraction for
recreational activities. It is considered an important area for
snorkelling and scuba diving. Although most divers and snorkelers are
environmentally conscious and do not harm coral, considering them to be
nature’s gift to Pakistan.
However, a few amateur divers trample
or disturb them. In addition, a number of fishermen are also involved in
dislodging of corals and selling them to aquarium traders in Karachi.
Another
reason for bleaching of corals may be due to the increasing levels of
pollution in the area. WWF-Pakistan believes that abandoned, lost or
otherwise discarded fishing gears (ALDFG) are also a serious
environmental challenge in waters around Churna Island. These ghost
fishing gears have a severe impact on corals and continue to entangle
fish and shellfish leading to their mortality.
A mass-scale ALDFG
has been reported in the vicinity north of Churna Island. WWF-Pakistan
appealed to the relevant government departments, tourists, local
communities and citizens of Pakistan to help conserve this ecologically
significant marine area.
Stop Ghost Gear: The Most Deadly Form of Marine Plastic Debris
October 19, 2020
https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/stop-ghost-gear-the-most-deadly-form-of-marine-plastic-debris
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It’s time we talk about the Coral Reefs in Pakistan
07 December, 2019
https://www.crux.pk/2019/12/07/its-time-we-talk-about-the-coral-reefs-in-pakistan/
____________
3 Status of Research on Corals in Pakistan by Quddusi B. Kazmi1 and M. Afzal Kazmi
http://www.fao.org/3/X5627E/x5627e07.htm
____________
Quaternary
fossil coral communities in uplifted strata along the Balochistan coast
of Pakistan: understanding modern coral decline in the Arabian Sea
02 December 2017
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12517-017-3306-4
Abstract
Uplifted
reefs due to being important palaeoclimate archives and a rich source
of information on past physical and geochemical changes globally have
become the centre of marine research. The uplifted fossil Quaternary
coral communities of Jiwani and Gwadar are perfect places to study the
palaeoclimatic and geological changes that have shaped the Balochistan
coast. Studies on the palaeodiversity of corals along the Makran coast
of Pakistan are lacking. In the present study, the samples collected
using line intercept method from four uplifted sites (Balochistan coast:
one at Gwadar and three at Jiwani) were analysed. The relative
distribution and diversity of scleractinian fossil corals was
determined, and the factors responsible for coral decline along Pakistan
coast were compared with modern coral distribution and diversity. A
total of 48 fossil coral species were recorded in nine families and 22
genera. High coral diversity was recorded in the uplifted landward sites
of Jiwani and Gwadar headland. Terraces close to the shore at Jiwani
had lower diversity. The corals seem to be Quaternary: most likely
Pleistocene to Holocene. The modern fauna lacks many species recorded in
the fossil community, thus suggesting a faunal turnover in diversity
and redistribution of coral fauna which may be linked with past
geological events and increasing anthropogenic pressure.
____________
Distribution
profile of heavy metals and associated contamination trend with the
sedimentary environment of Pakistan coast bordering the Northern Arabian
Sea
13 February 2021
Abstract
Spatiotemporal distributions of heavy metals (HMs) and their
contamination status linked with the sedimentary environment were
investigated in 2 monitoring years (MY-I and MY-II) along the Pakistan
coast. The concentrations of HMs in sediments were analyzed through an
atomic absorption spectrometer and presented the following order: Fe
> Zn > Cu > Pb ≈ Cr > Ni > Co > Cd in MY-I and Fe >
Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd in MY-II. In the
coastal sediments, all HMs surpassed the edges of shale values and
sediment quality guidelines, excluding Fe. The burial flux (FB), mass inventory (MI), and deposition flux (FD)
of HMs were evaluated and compared to explore the potential of
sediments to adsorb and desorb the metals into the marine environment
during the last decade. Metal-specific pollution indices (Igeo, EF, Cf, and Er)
presented moderate contamination of Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, and Co but
considerable contamination of Pb and Cd in sediments. However,
site-specific geoindicators (CD, RI, and PLI) signified the Sandspit as
the highest polluted site along the coastal vicinity. Multivariate
analyses via principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis
(CA) also highlighted the significant interactions between geochemical
properties. The current study concluded the high pollution state toward
the HMs and rendered the knowledge for policymaking and conserving the
coastal and estuarine environment of Pakistan bordering the Northern
Arabian Sea.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-12740-0
____________
World Oceans Day: Karachi pollution slowly killing Arabian Sea
June 9, 2017
https://dailytimes.com.pk/7631/world-oceans-day-karachi-pollution-slowly-killing-arabian-sea/
____________
Blooms of pollution indicator micro-alga (Synedra acus) in Northern Arabian Sea along Karachi, Pakistan
2015
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Blooms-of-pollution-indicator-micro-alga-(Synedra-Luqman-Javed/5a25b3bb1cc795cf6d517bb2fbdcae10256405a9
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Arabian Sea is suffocating due to toxic algae bloom, and it is going to get worse
30 March 2017
The
extent and frequency of harmful algae bloom increases, thanks to ocean
warming and higher levels of water pollution due to human activities
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/arabian-sea-is-suffocating-due-to-toxic-algae-bloom-and-it-is-going-to-get-worse-57475
____________
An overview of historical harmful algae blooms outbreaks in the Arabian Seas
2014
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X14004287
____________
Growing algae bloom in Arabian Sea tied to climate change
March 30, 2017
https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/03/30/growing-algae-bloom-in-arabian-sea-tied-to-climate-change/
____________
Parts Of The Antarctic Peninsula Will Witness Change In Colour Due To Blooming Algae
20th May, 2020
According
to a research, several parts of the Antarctic Peninsula will witness a
drastic change in its colour as "green snow" which is expected to
spread.
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/rest-of-the-world-news/parts-of-the-antarctic-peninsula-will-witness-change-in-colour.html
____________
On the shores of the Arabian Sea, pollution erodes a way of life
March 15, 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/on-the-shores-of-the-arabian-sea-pollution-erodes-a-way-of-life/2015/03/14/a1904314-c769-11e4-bea5-b893e7ac3fb3_story.html
____________
90 percent of Chabahar coral reefs are dying: Iranian official
02/05/21
http://www.payvand.com/news/21/feb/1002.html
____________
Environment body says 90% of Sri Lanka's coral reefs dead
Jul 03, 2019
https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lankan-environment-body-says-90-of-sri-lankas-coral-reefs-dead-232789
____________
Marine debris damaging coral reefs: NIO scientist
December 22, 2014
The increasing amount of marine debris like plastic, glass, rubber and others break or damage reef, a senior scientist said.
“Marine
debris like plastic, glass, metal, rubber abandoned fishing nets and
other gear often get entangle and kill reef organisms and break or
damage them,” said Dr. Mahua Saha, senior Scientist from National
Institute of Oceanography (NIO) addressing representatives of SAARC
nations during a workshop held at Port Blair, Andaman...
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/marine-debris-damaging-coral-reefs-nio-scientist/article6715426.ece
____________
Abandoned fishing gear an “immortal menace” which must be central in the fight against plastic pollution: WWF Report
20 October 2020
https://www.wwfpak.org/?364921/Abandoned-fishing-gear-an-immortal-menace-which-must-be-central-in-the-fight-against-plastic-pollution-WWF-Report
____________
'Plastic-Eating' Fungus Found In Pakistan Garbage Dump
09/23/17
https://www.ibtimes.com/plastic-eating-fungus-found-pakistan-garbage-dump-2593226
____________
Assessing soil pollution from a municipal waste dump in Islamabad, Pakistan: a study by INAA and AAS
September 1st, 2010
https://akjournals.com/view/journals/10967/285/3/article-p723.xml
____________
ENVIRONMENT: THRASHING OUT THE TRASH ISSUE
August 25, 2019
Trash left over by tourists at Lake Saiful Muluk
https://www.dawn.com/news/1501466/environment-thrashing-out-the-trash-issue
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The Different Types Of Marine Pollution
2018
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-different-types-of-marine-pollution.html
The
entry of potentially harmful pollutants in the oceans is called marine
pollution. This type of pollution does not only cause a great loss of
marine flora and fauna, but it can also impact humans who depend on the
marine life for their food and economic benefits. Some of the types of
marine pollution have been mentioned below:
Ocean Acidification
Oceans
of our planet act as a natural carbon sink. The carbon-dioxide present
in the atmosphere dissolves in the waters of the oceans. Thus, the
oceans help lower the atmospheric CO2 concentration which, in turn,
reduces the effects of global warming on the planet. However, as the
atmospheric concentration of the gas is increasing, the oceans are
becoming more acidic. This change in the pH of the ocean water can have
disastrous consequences on marine life. Structures made of calcium
carbonate might become vulnerable to dissolution in the acidic
environment. This issue will adversely impact the corals and shellfish
living in the oceans.
Eutrophication
When the concentration of
chemical nutrients increases in a water body, the process is called
eutrophication. The change can lead to an excessive growth of plants and
their subsequent decay. The dissolved oxygen concentration in the water
also decreases due to eutrophication which induces the death of marine
fauna. When the highly polluted rivers drain into the ocean, it might
result in the formation of dead zones where the water is highly depleted
of oxygen.
Plastic Debris
In the past few decades, plastic is
one of the most dangerous pollutants that has been rapidly accumulating
in the oceans. It is estimated that the mass of plastic in the oceans
could be as high as 100,000,000 tonnes. All this plastic comes from
numerous sources like discarded plastic bags, plastic cutlery, straws,
six-pack rings, and more. All this plastic waste can pose a serious
threat to the survival of marine fauna who can die by ingestion,
entanglement, and suffocation. Plastic fishing nets are known to kill
thousands of dolphins, turtles, seabirds, sharks, etc., in the oceans
every year. Ingestion of plastic waste leads to the slow and painful
death of these animals. Other pollutants also collect on the surface of
plastic debris and magnify there. When such debris enters the human body
through the food chain, it can have disastrous effects on the health of
people.
Toxins
There are several other toxins called
persistent toxins that do not readily disintegrate in the ocean waters.
Examples of such toxins are pesticides, DDT, phenols, heavy metals,
PCBs, etc. When such toxins enter the body of marine animals, they
accumulate in their tissues by a process called bioaccumulation. The
toxins pass from prey to predator through the food chain and start
biomagnifying at each higher level in the food chain. Humans are often
at the top of many marine food chains and thus are the receivers of
large quantities of biomagnified toxins from seafood.
Noise
Many
species in the marine world rely heavily on their sense of hearing.
However, human activities often introduce unnecessary noise in the
marine ecosystem which is detrimental to life in the area. Noise can be
generated by passing ships, seismic surveys, sonar, oil exploration
surveys, etc. Such noise creates confusion in the marine world by
interfering with the acoustic information on which these species rely
for their survival.
____________
Pakistan lacks marine pollution safeguards
November 11, 2008
https://www.dawn.com/news/329352/pakistan-lacks-marine-pollution-safeguards
____________
Fundamental Status of Marine Pollution in Pakistan
April 2012
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237050554_Fundamental_Status_of_Marine_Pollution_in_Pakistan
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Pakistan and the Sea: Preserving the Marine Environment
January 19, 2019
As blue waters turn black, Pakistan can do more to halt the degradation of its marine environments.
https://thediplomat.com/2019/01/pakistan-and-the-sea-preserving-the-marine-environment/
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Solid waste pollution in the South Asian Seas (SAS)
09 Aug 2019
https://www.teriin.org/article/solid-waste-pollution-south-asian-seas-sas
Pakistan
In
Pakistan, about 20 million tons of solid waste is generated annually,
with an annual growth rate of about 2.4 percent[15]. Although Pakistan
is the only SAS region to have signed the London Convention on the
Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter in
1972, ocean pollution is a huge problem in the country. According to the
Karachi Municipal Corporation, the city collects and disposes of about
20-30% of the 8000-10000 tonnes/day solid waste generated, however, in
reality, this figure is reported to be a gross overestimation[16]. The
remaining, uncollected garbage either remains in the city or thrown near
the riverbeds, which finally end up into the sea and can be seen as
marine debris at certain locations of the coast. The main problems as
perceived by households related to waste included littering openly in
the drain or road, and absence of dustbins[17].
____________
In Pakistan, toxins put the poor particularly at risk
23/02/2021
https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/pakistans-laws-control-chemical-pollution-are-hardly-enforced
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Sanjeeva Perera: Coral propagation in the Maldives
25 May 2021
https://australiaawardsmaldives.org/stories/sanjeeva-perera-coral-propagation-in-the-maldives/
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Diving ban not enough to save Pakistan’s coral paradise
June 8, 2021
https://www.eco-business.com/news/diving-ban-not-enough-to-save-pakistans-coral-paradise/
In
the name of conservation, diving has been heavily restricted at Churna
Island in Pakistan. But tourists are only one of many sources of
pollution.
Nestled among the coral formations that surround its
rocky shore, Churna Island lies off the Pakistan coast at the border of
Sindh and Balochistan provinces. Its coastline and reefs provide a vital
habitat and breeding ground for Pakistan’s marine biodiversity,
including beautiful species such as the lionfish, which are a major draw
for scuba divers.
Pervez Sadiq, an expert at the Sindh
Environmental Protection Agency, started diving in the 1970s. Churna was
one of the first spots he visited back when scuba diving in Pakistan
was limited to just a handful of divers. That has changed.
Attracted
by the small island’s corals and diverse marine life, about seven years
ago tour operators began to offer clients a chance to scuba dive,
snorkel, cliff dive and take part in water sports.
Noor Mohammed,
a local fisherman, observed that in peak season around 2013-14, the
island would have over 500 visitors at a time, with activities and
prices catering for visitors of all interests and economic backgrounds.
The navy steps in
This
came to a halt in 2018, when the Pakistan Navy imposed restrictions on
tours and activities near the island. Tour companies now need a No
Objection Certificate (NOC) to carry out activities.
Provided by
the navy, an NOC is meant to allow companies that follow guidelines to
operate in the area, but a lack of clear guidelines coupled with
substantial red tape means only those with connections, or who have the
time to chase incessantly, are able to obtain the certificate.
Farhan
Farooq, founder of Divers Reef Karachi, one of the few companies still
operating in the area after the new rules were applied, said he is still
unsure why the restrictions were imposed.
One of the reasons for
the ban quoted by navy officials was pollution in the area. Scuba
diving can be a significant source of litter and other pollution, as
well as disturbance of sensitive coral ecosystems.
Large
commercial tours may result in trash like plastic and food packaging
being thrown into the water, while noise and fuel pollution from poorly
maintained boats can harm marine life.
Studies that looked at
the impact of diving in the Philippines found that it was harder to
correct and manage behaviour from divers in large groups and that,
amidst other factors, coral disease was higher in areas frequented by
divers.
Yet it is the scuba diving community that has been among
the most active in cleaning the area around Churna. Diving instructors
such as Yousuf Ali and Rosheen Khan, who head the Karachi Scuba Diving
Centre, have coordinated cleaning efforts for a decade.
In 2010,
when the federal government first observed International Reef Cleaning
Day in Pakistan, scuba divers extracted ghost nets, old anchors, plastic
debris, tobacco products and even a knife that had been stuck into
coral.
Nevertheless, Sadiq from the Sindh Environmental
Protection Agency estimates that fish numbers are now around 10% of what
they used to be three decades ago, while pollution has increased. If
the navy is serious about pollution, it may need to look beyond
tourists.
No shortage of sinners
Journalist and filmmaker
Madeeha Syed has been involved in ocean-cleaning drives as recently as
April 2021. Syed says that while these may have ensured small ghost nets
that were found around Churna have been removed, the main threat comes
from pollutants being pumped into the water from power plants nearby.
“When
we were allowed to set off from Manjhar for Churna, at times I would
notice how warm the water was when we would step into the sea from the
coast because of the pollutants being dumped into the water,” Syed said.
“This year there’s been a worrying increase in large jellyfish as well –
indicative of both climate change and an absence of predators which is
linked to a reduction in biodiversity.”
Power plants near the
island include the CPHG coal power plant, Byco oil plant and Hubco coal
power plant. While the Byco and Hubco plants are over 20 years old, the
CPHG plant – a joint venture of Hubco and a Chinese company – was only
approved in 2016, and built a mere 500 km from Churna because the island
provides protection from the wind and waves...
____________
China condemned for massive coral reef destruction
July 15, 2016
International
judges condemn China's great 'water grab' of the South China Sea - not
least for its destruction of over 100 sq.km of pristine coral reefs,
dredged and ground up to build artificial islands, and the ransacking of
their wildlife, from endangered sea turtles to giant clams
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/nature/china-condemned-for-massive-coral-reef-destruction/
____________
Fisheries dept berated for its failure to curb illegal fishing along coast
April 17, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1476527
KARACHI:
The Sindh Assembly was told on Monday that the Pakistan marine
fisheries department, the watchdog force in the sea which functions
under the federal government, had failed to control illegal fishing
along the coastline.
While furnishing a statement and answering
questions from lawmakers during the Question Hour session in the
provincial assembly, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Abdul Bari
Pitafi said that illegal fishing in the sea was being carried out owing
to weakness of the department.
He said the marine fisheries
department was the policing force in the coastal areas but it had failed
to do its job. “I don’t know whether it makes a deal with illegal
fishermen or it is just not capable enough to keep a vigilant eye on the
act of illegal fishing,” Mr Pitafi said.
When asked by the Grand
Democratic Alliance’s Nusrat Seher Abbasi that what steps had been
taken by the fisheries department to control illegal fishing in the sea
as well as in sweet water, the minister said that there were two
sections of fishing — inland fishing and marine fishing, adding that the
provincial government was responsible for policing the inland fishing
only as the other section was controlled by the marine fisheries
department.
“We have a proper system at each district comprising
directorates who maintain check and balance,” he said and added that the
licensed fishermen for inland fishing were also being monitored.
Referring
to the action against illegal fishing, the minister said that all those
fishermen and the contractors who bought fish from them were booked and
charge-sheeted in the relevant courts.
‘No threat to Manchhar Lake’
Replying
to a question asked by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s MPA Khurram Sher
Zaman, Mr Pitafi said there was no environmental or water quality threat
to aquatic animals in Manchhar Lake.
He also said that no fish in Manchhar Lake died due to poor environment.
Refuting
the claim of an opposition member that a large number of fish was found
dead, he said the poachers threw their undersize catch in bulk near the
embankment of Manchhar Lake after the department took action against
illegal fishing. “The department also keeps a vigilant eye upon catching
of undersize fish,” he added.
The minister said that there was a
shortage of water for fish farming and added that there were around
4,500 ponds in the province but they had dried up. He said that the
tail-end areas had been hit more severely in the circumstances.
Answering
a question asked by MPA Nusrat Abbasi, the minister said that upgrade
of a veterinary centre at Kot Mirs Landhi, Kot Ghulam Mohammad taluka,
Mirpurkhas district, at a cost of Rs5.093 million was to be completed by
June 2018. However, the same has not been completed within stipulated
time because of less release of funds during 2017-18.
“Therefore, the execution period of the scheme has been extended for one more year,” he added.
____________
66 Indian fishermen arrested by Pak for ‘illegal fishing’
December 31, 2016
The
arrests come just five days after the Pakistan government released 220
Indian fishermen and sent them home via Wagah border on December 26 as a
goodwill gesture.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/66-indian-fishermen-arrested-by-pak-for-illegal-fishing/
____________
Forty-Three Indian Fishermen Arrested by Pakistan Authorities
15 Dec 2017
The PMSF has arrested 144 Indian fishermen over the last one month for alleged illegal fishing in Pakistani waters.
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/indian-fishermen-arrested-by-pak-officials-for-alleged-illegal-fishing
____________
Pakistan releases 147 Indians jailed for illegal fishing
January 8, 2018
https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/pakistan-releases-147-indians-jailed-for-illegal-fishing
____________
Pakistan Says It Will Release 360 Indians Held For Illegal Fishing, Seeks Reciprocation
April 06, 2019
https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-says-will-release-indian-fishermen-hope-for-reciprocation/29864684.html
____________
Pakistan detains five Chinese trawlers for alleged illegal fishing
July 21, 2021
https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/pakistan-detains-five-chinese-trawlers-for-alleged-illegal-fishing
____________
Boat from Pakistan seized with drugs worth 3k crore
Apr 20, 2021
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/boat-from-pakistan-seized-with-drugs-worth-3k-crore/articleshow/82154401.cms
____________
Russia, Pakistan Agree to Boost Military Cooperation Against Terror, Sea Piracy
April 07, 2021
____________
Iran says ready to fight terrorism on Pakistan soil - Xinhua (Article Removed)
2018
TEHRAN, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Interior Ministry announced on
Saturday that the country's security forces are ready for anti-terror
operations on Pakistani territory. To guarantee the security of
common...
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-11/17/c_137614053.htm
____________
Oil tankers blackmail Pakistan, announce strike over silly demands
24 June 2021
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/oil-tankers-blackmail-pakistan-announce-strike-over-silly-demands/
____________
If Pakistan doesn't act now it could lose these 10 animals forever
Oct 04 2017
Common Leopard
Snow Leopard
Indus River dolphin / Blind dolphin
Marine Turtle
Freshwater turtle
Indian Pangolin
Vulture
Hammerhead Shark
Whale Shark
White-headed duck
https://www.geo.tv/latest/161129-if-pakistan-doesnt-act-now-it-could-lose-these-10-animals-forever
____________
Pak losing traditional nesting sites for sea turtles due to increasing pollution, garbage: Report
Jun 18th, 2021
https://www.sify.com/news/pak-losing-traditional-nesting-sites-for-sea-turtles-due-to-increasing-pollution-garbage-report-news-international-vgsqTijgefjbi.html
____________
Turtle Species in Pakistan Face Extinction Threat
March 30, 2020
https://techurdu.net/turtle-species-in-pakistan-face-extinction/
____________
Turtle Species in Pakistan Are About to Go Extinct
2018
https://propakistani.pk/2018/05/24/turtle-species-in-pakistan-are-about-to-go-extinct/
____________
Pakistan Lost Around 30% Of Nesting Grounds For Green Turtles In The Past Decade
June 20, 2021
http://www.zemtv.co/pakistan-lost-around-30-of-nesting-grounds-for-green-turtles-in-the-past-decade/
____________
Turtle species face extinction threat due to illegal fuel trade
June 24, 2021
Disfigurement in size of turtles and their scutes has not been observed on any other coastal area of country
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2306978/turtle-species-face-extinction-threat-due-to-illegal-fuel-trade
____________
China is not deterring from robbing Pakistan, illegal fishing boats seized in Gwadar
July 15, 2021
https://norobotsverification.com/news/16215/china-is-not-deterring-from-robbing-pakistan-illegal-fishing-boats-seized-in-gwadar/
____________
China's maritime militia breaks rules and charts course for global dominance
June 15, 2021
https://news.yahoo.com/chinas-maritime-militia-breaks-rules-110000371.html
China's
quest to become a maritime superpower has turned its massive fishing
fleet into a floating militia that actively engages in aggressive, and
often illegal, practices at sea.
Left unchecked, China's
dominance would not only undermine international regulations but could
also threaten the very existence of America's allies and reshape the
global fishing industry forever.
The U.S. State Department,
foreign governments, and conservation groups have all accused China's
fleet of illegal fishing, pointing to its repeated use of banned
equipment and the practice of "going dark," which involves switching off
satellite tracking and entering prohibited waters without detection.
China's overfishing has created a serious environmental crisis,
resulting in a dangerous geopolitical power grab that could be the death
knell for coastal communities that depend on the waters for their
livelihood.
"No country engages in more illegal, unreported, and
unregulated fishing than China," Gordon Chang, foreign affairs expert,
told the Washington Examiner.
China's penchant for disregarding
rules and regulations has allowed it to get the upper hand but also
raises questions about the consequences of Beijing's expanding role and
how it is connected to the country's geopolitical aspirations.
According
to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries
control marine resources within a 200-mile "exclusive economic zone."
The water beyond that is international waters.
China has anywhere from 200,000 to 800,000 fishing boats in play, accounting for nearly half of the world's fishing activity.
Beijing
claims to send around 2,600 fishing vessels across the globe, but
maritime experts say China's distant-water fishing fleet is closer to
17,000, according to London-based researcher Overseas Development
Institute. The United States, by comparison, has less than 300
distant-water ships.
In fact, China's distant-water vessels are
so big they bring in more fish in one week than local boats from Mexico,
parts of Africa, and Latin America might in a year.
China's
global fishing fleet has reigned supreme partly because Beijing has
subsidized the industry, spending billions of dollars annually. Their
boats can travel faster and farther due to a tenfold increase in diesel
fuel subsidies.
“The scale and aggressiveness of its fleet puts
China in control,” said Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime
Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International
Studies, adding that few countries have been willing to push back when
China’s fishing boats come into their waters.
China's fishermen
have been illegally fishing near the Korean Peninsula and in the hotly
contested South China Sea for years. China has repeatedly ignored
international treaties and overfished species to the brink of
extinction.
"China will continue to take fish until the
international community imposes costs on illegal Chinese fishing," Chang
said. "So far, countries have shown great reluctance to protect their
waters. So, yes, the Chinese are criminals, but we allow them to be."
China's
fishing vessels have recently found themselves as far as Africa and
South America, where fishermen, backed by armed Chinese cutters, have
gone to great lengths to avoid detection by removing their identifying
flags.
In Ecuador, an entire 20-person Chinese crew was arrested
and jailed for four years after being caught red-handed carrying 300
tons of illegally caught fish. The crew was fishing off the Galapagos
Islands, where they were caught with 6,600 sharks.
Indonesian
officials have described Chinese fishing as "transnational organized
crime" and went so far as to blow up at least one fishing boat. In
Africa, authorities have tried to detain and fine Chinese vessels, but
trawlers in places like Ghana and Nigeria have taken advantage of poor
governance, corruption, and the inability of the countries to go after
maritime lawbreakers to their advantage.
One of the most
egregious acts China got away with was skirting around sanctions imposed
on North Korea by the United Nations in 2017.
The U.N. Security
Council tried to go after North Korea's squid market, one of the
country's top exports, by imposing sanctions aimed at pressuring
Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.
Despite international
effort, squid fishing continued on a large scale with the small country
raking in billions of dollars. That's because Chinese vessels forked
over small fortunes to pay North Korea for fishing rights in its waters
despite the sanctions specifically prohibiting the purchase of fishing
rights from Pyongyang.
Not only did China's money keep North
Korea financially afloat, but it also squeezed North Korea's fishermen
out of their own waters and forced them to travel long distances in
rickety boats to find fish. Many of those boats have washed up on the
coasts of Russia and Japan, most empty or containing human remains. The
crews are believed to have drowned or, in some cases, been rescued by
other boats.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
criticized China's "predatory fishing practices" and said it violates
"the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal states."
China hit back, telling the U.S. to butt out of its business.
____________
US to deploy coast guard to tackle China's 'illegal' fishing in South China Sea
Oct 24, 2020
https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-deploy-coast-guard-to-tackle-chinas-illegal-fishing-in-south-china-sea-337651
____________
Ecuador 'on alert' as hundreds of Chinese fishing ships near Galapagos Islands
July 28, 2020
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/ecuador-on-alert-as-hundreds-of-chinese-fishing-ships-near-galapagos-islands
____________
Philippines, Indonesia to revive bilateral accord amid concerns over illegal fishing
2015
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/philippines-indonesia-to-revive-bilateral-accord-amid-concerns-over-illegal-fishing-1.1520094
____________
Illegal Fishing Hotspot Identified in Northwest Indian Ocean
June 29, 2020
Nearly
200 Iranian vessels detected in Somali and Yemeni waters represent one
of the world’s largest illegal fishing operations...
https://globalfishingwatch.org/impacts/illegal-fishing-northwest-indian-ocean/
____________
Pakistan fish exports up 27.94pc, netting $451.026 million in FY18
September 1, 2018
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/362151-pakistan-fish-exports-up-27-94pc-netting-451-026-million-in-fy18
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s seafood exports have increased 27.94 percent to 198,420 tons
fetching $451.026 million for the national exchequer in fiscal year
2017-18, according to market officials.
The country’s export
value increased 14.57 percent from $393.662 million off 155,091 tons in
2016-17. However, as per officials, the country’s fisheries exports
declined 7.35 percent in value to $11.837 million tons in July 2018 from
$12.776 million in the same month last fiscal. The quantity was down
2.87 percent to 5,452 tons from 5,613 tons.
Industry stakeholders
complain that Pakistani seafood fetches lower value in the
international market as the quantity of exportable fish has depleted due
to various reasons, including overfishing.
Faisal Iftikhar,
former president, Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association, said,
“Pakistan’s fish and fish preparations exports fetch $2.27 to $2.5 per
kilogram, which is lowest in the region’s average price of around
$7/kg.”
He blames it on the lower quality of fish meal. “Our
prices show that we export more fish meal and our prices are lower than
quality fish meal price, which fetches $3/kg.”
He said quality
seafood stocks were depleting in Pakistani waters because of overfishing
and use of destructive nets. Pakistan mostly exports to China at lower
rates, although the European Union has lifted ban from two factories
amid political pressure, ‘without inspecting the factories on the
ground”, he informed.
“Revival of exports to EU had no
significant impact over Pakistan’s total seafood exports,” the official
said, adding that only one factory exported to EU, and that too on lower
prices at par with China.
China is one of the largest buyers of
Pakistan’s fish and fish preparations. Other buyers include Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Egypt, Middle East, UK, Thailand, South Korea, Bangladesh
etc.
Capt Akhlaque, whose factory is the only one exporting
seafood to EU, said, “We are not in a bargaining position. India is
controlling the prices, with 200 factories exporting to the European
Union countries.”
According to Marine Fisheries Department, there
are around 150 fish and seafood exporting firms in Pakistan, of which
35 operate in the premises of Karachi Fish Harbour.
Akhlaque said
commercial fish stocks had not depleted completely. “When ban on
fishing is fully implemented during the breeding season in June and
July, better stocks develop,” he said, adding that since the ban was
implemented there were chances of better fishing in the current fiscal
year.
Muhammad Ali Shah, chairmen Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, a
representative body of fishermen, said processing and transportation of
fish to the harbour was poor, which deteriorated the fish quality
resulting in lower prices in the international market.
“Fish caught at Keti Bunder is transported to Karachi Fish Harbour in a poor manner, which deteriorates its quality,” he added.
Shah
said that deep-sea fishing and overfishing had affected the commercial
fish stocks, which were rapidly reducing in Pakistani waters. “Marine
pollution and use of harmful nets are increasing the woes,” he added.
The
Fisheries Resources Appraisal in Pakistan Project, a Unilateral Trust
Fund project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and the
government of Pakistan have also pointed to depletion of seafood
resources.
“The overall status for all the major fish stocks of
Pakistan is that they are all below target biomass levels and nine of
the species groups are below the depleted threshold,” said the project
report. “Only two species groups out of 14 show any indication that
fishing mortality is at or below the limit. All of Pakistan's marine
fisheries are over-exploited.”
The report said the prospects for
an economically vibrant and growing fishery were poor, and reduced
exports, value, and food fish production were all to be expected even as
fish meal production increases.
Over fishing is the major cause
behind depletion of fish resources. In the 1980s it was estimated that
the fleet was approximately 6,500 vessels and it is now over 11,500. In
the 1980s it was judged that 550 shrimp trawlers would be sufficient to
economically harvest the shrimp. Now, there are over 2,400 trawlers,
most have switched from shrimp to 'trash' fishing as a result of the
depleted stocks, and more are still being built.
“It is
recommended that policy and regulatory steps be taken to reduce the
fleet size overall to less than 6,000 vessels and the trawler fleet
should be specifically limited to less than 600 out of the total,”
recommended the project findings.
____________
Illegal Fishing in Balochistan Coast Causes Catches to Fall Faster
http://thebalochistanpoint.com/illegal-fishing-in-balochistan-coast-causes-catches-to-fall-faster/
____________
Evaluating the threat of IUU fishing to sea turtles in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia using expert elicitation
January 2018
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320717300976
____________
Nearly 90% Of Dolphin Population In Indian Ocean Wiped Out By Fisheries
Mar 3, 2020
https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/90-of-dolphin-population-wiped-out-by-fishing-industry/
A
new study by an international group of scientists has found that almost
90% of the dolphin population in the Indian Ocean has been killed due
to the tuna fishing industry. The “alarming” drop in dolphin numbers is
related to the use of illegal gillnets that are widely used by fishing
companies across the world, snaring dolphins and other cetaceans caught
in the bycatch. Researchers are calling for “urgent, drastic changes” in
fisheries to protect dolphin populations, and the results renews calls
for a major rethink about the unsustainable nature of seafood
consumption...
____________
Indus Blind Dolphin and Pheasant-tailed Jacana about to extinct in Pakistan
June 29, 2021
https://hospitalityplus.com.pk/indus-blind-dolphin-and-pheasant-tailed-jacana-due-to-water-pollution/
____________
Greenpeace raises alarm on illegal driftnet use
April 16, 2021
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/greenpeace-raises-alarm-on-illegal-driftnet-use
Greenpeace
is raising an alarm regarding the ongoing use of illegal driftnets in
the northwest Indian Ocean, and warned that looming food insecurity and
constrained economic growth in the region will result if the practice is
left unchecked.
Greenpeace – which spoke to Reuters after a
14-day fact-finding mission in the northwest Indian Ocean – exposed
rampant deployment of illegal fishing gear to catch tuna in the region,
including in Somalia – a country that has been grappling with incidents
of piracy.
Somalia, alongside Yemen, was previously cited for
allowing vessels to use large-scale driftnets in territorial waters
despite the region’s coastal shelves being listed among ecologically
vulnerable fishing grounds.
Global Fishing Watch previously
singled out the two countries as an area with a marine coast where the
“largest illegal fishing operation occurs in the world.”
Greenpeace
said the illegal use of driftnets is decimating marine life and
reducing the yellowfin tuna population. If left unchecked the illegal
driftnets will, at the current rate, cause food insecurity in the region
and impact the performance of local economies.
“Because of the issues of bycatch we’re concerned about all fish in the Indian Ocean,” Greenpeace said.
Greenpeace
Head of Oceans in the United Kingdom Will McCallum said the U.N. ban of
driftnets has been relatively pointless considering the lack of
enforcement on the ban.
“What’s the point in a U.N. ban on
driftnets when all the fishing vessels we saw are using driftnets?”
McCallum said. “There is little to no enforcement in international
waters ... We need a global ocean treaty ... To resolve this enormous
governance gap.”
The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) has
limited the use of driftnets to 2.5 kilometers in length, with January
2022 being the tentative start-date for when the ban will take effect.
In
late 2020, the IOTC asked its members and cooperating parties to
submit, by the end of 2020, a list of flagged vessels operating in the
high seas as the proposed total ban on the use of large-scale drift
gillnets within the organization’s area of mandate inched close to
implementation.
The U.N. General Assembly had previously adopted
Resolution 46/215 calling for a global moratorium on large-scale high
seas driftnet fishing, and expanded restrictions on the driftnets to
include the exclusive economic zone of coastal states.
Global
Fishing Watch in the recent past pointed a finger at Iran and Pakistan
as the source of the fishing vessels that illegally deploy drifting
gillnets to catch pelagic fish like tunas.
____________
Occurrence
of heavy metals in sediment and their bioaccumulation in sentinel crab
(Macrophthalmus depressus) from highly impacted coastal zone
2019
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653519300086
Highlights
An evaluation of heavy metals distribution in the sediment and sentinel crab from six areas of Pakistan coast.
Risk index (RI) assesment; monitoring sites categorized as low (S1, S2,
S3, and S5), moderate (S4) and serious ecological risk (S6).
Crab exhibited high accumulation of essential and non-essential metals.
M. depressus act as a potential indicator of Pb contamination in sediments.
Environmental endpoints (salinity, temperature, grain size and organic
matter) presented an important role for metal accumulation in crabs.
____________
Astola Island: Pakistan’s Hidden Gem
Jul 23, 2020
https://www.amusingplanet.com/2020/07/astola-island-pakistans-hidden-gem.html
Astola
Island is mostly barren. Because of the absence of fresh water, there
are no trees there, except a few scrubs and bushes. But the waters
surrounding the island are plenty of marine life such as corals,
dolphins, whales and a variety of fish species. The sandy beaches
provide nesting grounds for many bird species such as coursers, gulls,
and plovers, as well as the endangered green sea turtle. At least one
species, the saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus astolae) is endemic to
the island.
Unfortunately, fishing activities, both legal and
illegal, have caused much damage to the island’s ecology. The fishermen
dump trash and broken nets on the coast that gets tangled in the corals
and damage them. The sooty gull (Larus hemprichii) which had a major
breeding colony on the island, has been eradicated because of the
introduction of rats. Cats left on the island dig out turtle nests, and
eat the eggs and hatchlings.
In 2017, Astola Island was declared
Pakistan’s first ever Marine Protected Area. However, the country is yet
to draw up a plan on how to tackle the problem of pollution.
“This
declaration was seen in a positive light but the lack of management
plan after passing of more than two and half years raises questions
about the protection of the island and the associated biodiversity that
is facing multiple issues,” Muhammad Moazzam Khan, a representative of
the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan, told newspaper Dawn.
____________
Water Pollution in Pakistan Causes and Effects
2018
https://ilm.com.pk/learning-articles/water-pollution-in-pakistan-causes-and-effects/
____________
Presentation On Water Issues in Pakistan
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/122740841/Presentation-on-Water-Issues-in-Pakistan
____________
Political Economy of Water Pollution in Pakistan: An Overview
June 2019
https://think-asia.org/handle/11540/10395
____________
Drinking Water Quality Status and Contamination in Pakistan
2017
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28884130/
____________
DRINKING WATER QUALITY STATUS IN GILGIT, PAKISTAN AND WHO STANDARDS.
Jun 30, 2015
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/DRINKING+WATER+QUALITY+STATUS+IN+GILGIT%2c+PAKISTAN+AND+WHO+STANDARDS.-a0419914812
____________
Hydrogeochemical
Characterization, and Suitability Assessment of Drinking Groundwater:
Application of Geostatistical Approach and Geographic Information System
2022
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.874464/full
____________
Water resources of Balochistan, Pakistan—a review
10 February 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12517-021-06502-y
____________
Most Important MCQs about Water Resources of Pakistan 2020
January 9, 2020
http://help.com.pk/most-important-mcqs-about-water-resources-of-pakistan-2020/
____________
Mass burden and estimated flux of heavy metals in Pakistan coast: sedimentary pollution and eco-toxicological concerns
09 October 2014
Abstract
Heavy-metal contamination in coastal areas poses a serious threat to
aquatic life and public health due to their high toxicity and
bio-accumulation potential. In the present study, levels of different
heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, and Mn), their spatial
distribution, geochemical status, and enrichment indices (Cu, Cd, Cr,
Ni, Co, Pb, Zn) were investigated in the sediment samples from 18
coastal sites of Pakistan. The analyses of coastal sediments indicated
the presence of heavy metals in order such as
Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Mn > Co > Cd.
Geo-accumulation index (I
geo), enrichment factor (EF), and
contamination factor (CF) showed diverse range in heavy-metal enrichment
site by site. Pollution load index (PLI) has shown that average
pollution load along the entire coastal belt was not significant. Based
on the mean effect range medium quotient, coastal sediments of Pakistan
had 21 % probability of toxicity. The estimated sedimentary load of
selected heavy metals was recorded in the range of 0.3–44.7 g/cm2/year, while the depositional flux was in the range of 0.07–43.5 t/year. Heavy-metal inventories of 9.8 × 102–3.8 × 105 t
were estimated in the coastal sediments of Pakistan. The enrichment and
contamination factors (EF and CF) suggested significant influence of
anthropogenic and industrial activities along the coastal belt of
Pakistan.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-014-3612-2
____________
Global Groundwater
Chapter 22 - Groundwater pollution in Pakistan
2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128181720000220
____________
Assessment
of Drinking Water Sources for Water Quality, Human Health Risks, and
Pollution Sources: A Case Study of the District Bajaur, Pakistan
2021
Abstract
The focus of the present study was to assess the quality of different
drinking water sources, impacts of poor water quality on human health,
and to apportion pollution source(s) of the district Bajaur, Pakistan.
Drinking water samples (n = 331) were randomly collected from springs,
hand pumps, open wells, and tube wells and analyzed for physicochemical
parameters including toxic elements, and bacteriological contamination
(i.e., Escherichia coli). Furthermore, a questionnaire survey was
conducted to record the cases of waterborne diseases in the study area.
The results showed that total suspended solids and bacteriological
contamination exceeded the permissible limits of the WHO in all four of
the water sources. Among the potentially toxic elements, Cd, Pb, and Mn
were above the permissible limits of the WHO in some samples. The hazard
index for spring water was found to exceed the toxicity level (i.e., HI
> 1) set by US EPA for both adults and children, while the sources
from hand pumps, open wells, and tube wells were within the safe limit.
The order for the overall safety level for water quality in the study
area was tube wells > open wells > hand pumps > springs. The
pollution source apportionment statistics revealed that both geogenic
and anthropogenic activities are the sources of drinking water
contamination. The results of the questionnaire survey indicated that
reports of waterborne diseases were highest in respondents who took
their drinking water from springs, whereas reports of diseases were
moderate in respondents taking their water from open wells and hand
pumps and lowest in respondents taking their water from tube wells.
Based on the findings of the study, the tube well source of water is
recommended for drinking water purposes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33386942/
____________
Management of source and drinking-water quality in Pakistan
2005
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16761680/
____________
Water Resources of Pakistan – Issues and Options
December 03, 2015
http://ww3.comsats.edu.pk/faculty/CampusFiles/Islamabad/01_12_2015_16_07_04_1049652.pdf
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INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WITH PAKISTAN
2004
https://portal.nifa.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/0408963-integrated-water-resource-management-with-pakistan.html
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Spatial
variation, source identification, and quality assessment of surface
water geochemical composition in the Indus River Basin, Pakistan
2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29470753/
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Ecological
and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in the major
rivers of Pakistan: General population vs. Fishermen
2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29567613/
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Sustainable practices critical as Pakistan farmers switch to fish
May 13, 2021
Trout
farms are booming in the country’s mountain provinces, but there is a
need for greater awareness of their environmental consequences
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/food/sustainable-practices-critical-as-pakistan-farmers-switch-to-trout-farms/
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How to know the Fishing Industry in Pakistan
21/09/2014
https://hforhow.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/how-to-know-the-fishing-industry-in-pakistan/
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The
Status of Water Quality in Various Fish and Shrimp Farms of Sindh
Province, Pakistan: Abundance of Planktonic Biomass in Relation to
Physicochemical Properties of Pond Water
June 30,2021
Abstract
This research aims to study the water
quality of 10 fish farms located in different regions of Sindh and to
suggest a guideline for favorable physicochemical parameters for fish
and shrimp farming. Water samples (n = 3 each) were collected from these
farms and analyzed for contents of ammonia, alkalinity, temperature,
nitrate, salinity, nitrite, pH, total hardness, dissolved oxygen (DO),
chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton-density during the period from March,
2015 to June, 2016. The chlorophyll-a concentration was determined by
using the acetone extraction technique. Ponds water sample (50 liters)
was filtered through plankton net of 20 µm pore size and preserved in 4%
formaldehyde for the analysis of phytoplankton. Subsequently, the
phytoplankton were counted under microscope. Result showed that water
quality parameters of all fish farms were suitable for farming purpose
excluding Shamimul Hassan Farm, Fish Farm Green Co. and Ghulam Ali
Nizamani Farm, where high level of total hardness was recorded as
1000±2.65 mg l-1, 700±4.80 mg l-1, and 975±4.73 mg l-1, respectively. The minimum chlorophyll-a (1.4-2.1 mg l-1)
was found in the ponds water of Shamimul Hassan Farm, Fish Farm Green
Co., and Ghulam Ali Nizamani Fish Farm, although the remaining farms
showed maximum values 5.8-7.5 mg l-1. Similar trend for the minimum (2.3 ×105 cells 1-1) and maximum (13.2 ×105 cells 1-1)
concentration of phytoplankton cell density was also found in all the
ponds, representing a strong correlation (P>0.05) between
chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton cell density. Significant correlation
(P>0.05) was also found among temperature, pH, salinity, nitrite,
nitrate, ammonia, alkalinity, total hardness, chlorophyll-a and
phytoplankton-density. Eigenvalues of the first two principal components
represented 99.97 % of the total variability in water quality of fish
and shrimp ponds at different farms. Positive loadings indicated high
contribution of water quality variables throughout the study period.
http://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/The-Status-Water-Quality-Various-Fish-Shrimp-Farms-Sindh-Province-Pakistan/14/1/3992/html
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Occurrence,
distribution, and pollution indices of potentially toxic elements
within the bed sediments of the riverine system in Pakistan
2021
Abstract
Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are a major source of pollution due to
their toxicity, persistence, and bio-accumulating nature in riverine
bed sediments. The sediment, as the largest storage and source of PTEs,
plays an important role in transformation of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb),
nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and other toxic
PTEs. Several important industrial hubs that contain a large population
along the banks of different rivers, such as Kabul, Sutlej, Ravi,
Jhelum, and Chenab in Pakistan, are acting as major sources of PTEs. In
this study, 150 bed sediment samples (n=30 from each river) were
collected from different sites. Total (acid extracted) PTE (Hg, Cu, Cr,
Ni, Zn, and Pb) concentrations in bed sediments were determined using
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Sediment
pollution indices were calculated in the major rivers of Pakistan. The
results demonstrated high levels of Hg and Ni concentrations which
exceeded the guideline standards of river authorities in the world. The
contamination factor (CF) and contamination degree (CD) indices for Hg,
Ni, and Pb showed a moderate to high (CF≥6 and CD≥24) contamination
level in all the selected rivers. The values of geo-accumulation index
(Igeo) were also high (Igeo≥5) for Hg and Pb and heavily polluted for Ni, while Cr, Cu, and Zn showed low to unpolluted (Igeo)
values. Similarly, the enrichment factor (EF) values were moderately
severe (5≤EF≤10) for Hg, Pb, and Ni in Sutlej, Ravi, and Jhelum, and
severe (10≤EF≤25) in Kabul and Jhelum. Moreover, Hg and Ni showed severe
to very severe enrichment in all the sampling sites. The ecological
risk index (ERI) values represented considerable, moderate, and low
risks, respectively, for Hg (The ERI value should not be bold. Please
unbold the ERI in the whole paper. It should be same like RI, CD and EF.
[Formula: see text]≥160), Pb and Ni (40≤[Formula: see text]≤80), and
Cr, Cu, and Zn ([Formula: see text]≤40). Similarly, potential ecological
risk index (PERI) values posed considerable (300≤RI≤600) risk in Ravi
and moderate (150≤RI≤300) in Kabul and Jhelum, but low (RI≤150) risk in
Ravi and Chenab. On the basis of the abovementioned results, it is
concluded that bed sediment pollution can be dangerous for both
ecological resources and human beings. Therefore, PTE contamination
should be regularly monitored and a cost-effective and environmentally
friendly wastewater treatment plant should be installed to ensure
removal of PTEs before the discharge of effluents into the freshwater
ecosystems.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34125388/
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Human exposure to trace metals and arsenic via consumption of fish from river Chenab, Pakistan and associated health risks
2016
Abstract
This study provided the first hand data of trace elements into fish
muscles (N = 65) collected from river Chenab in Pakistan during 2013,
using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We
monitored the health risk associated with consumption of contaminated
fish of river Chenab, by the local population. The mean concentrations
(μg/g, wet weight), in descending order were: Zn (35.5-54.4), Cu
(1.38-4.57), Mn (2.43-4.5), As (0.23-1.21), Cr (0.21-0.67), Ni
(0.14-0.34), Pb (0.14-0.31), Co (0.09-0.12), Cd (0.07-0.12) with higher
concentration to be observed in the herbivore fish species (i.e.,
Cirrhinus reba and Catla catla). The levels of trace elements in
different fish species found in this study were compared with similar
data worldwide, and with the international standards for consumption.
The concentration (μg/g) of arsenic in many cases (>65%) exceeded the
FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives permissible limits. From the
human health point of view, this study highlights that the local
inhabitants, (i.e., fisher folk communities and population frequently
consuming fish at about 100 g/day) along the river Chenab are exposed
chronically to arsenic pollution with carcinogenic (10-4 to 10-6) and non-carcinogenic (THQ>1) risks, especially from the intake of Cirrhinus reba.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27816286/
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Major Rivers in Pakistan Contaminated by Substantial Water Pollution
Jul 05, 2018
https://www.wwdmag.com/pollution-control/major-rivers-pakistan-contaminated-substantial-water-pollution
In
new joint study between the countries of China and Pakistan, it was
discovered that three of Pakistan’s major rivers are suffering from
substantial water contamination. Potentially toxic elements (PTE) were
discovered, sourced from raw sewage and industrial effluent, which could
spell negative health effects for the country’s citizens while also
adversely affecting flora and fauna.
Researchers utilized
spectroscopy to analyze the waters, a chemical process that is able to
detect very small amounts of an element. Scientists also pulled sediment
and fish samples for analysis in their study.
According to the
lead author of the study and Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan assistant
professor, Javed Nawab, the gathered samples demonstrated a variety of
potentially harmful contaminants.
“We found the samples
contaminated beyond safe limits with arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium,
nickel, copper, cobalt, manganese and zinc,” said Nawab.
The
samples were drawn from three of Pakistan’s major water bodies,
specifically the Chenab, Indus and Kabul rivers. The samples were then
studied at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITPR) in Beijing.
“Toxic
fish captured from the contaminated waters of the three rivers enters
the country’s food chain as it is consumed by the people, particularly
fisher communities,” added Wang Xiaoping, associate professor at ITPR.
The
Chenab River exhibited the highest concentrations of PTEs of the three
rivers analyzed. The river has several industrial and residential
settlements placed close its banks throughout its length.
The
study isolates atmospheric deposits, industrial effluents, and municipal
and agricultural runoff as the primary contributors to the toxicity
levels in the various rivers.
“For want of wastewater and organic
pollutant treatment facilities, large amounts of PTEs flow into the
rivers that cater to the country’s irrigation, industrial and drinking
water needs,” said Nawab. “Only 8% of the country’s total municipal
wastewater and 1% of the industrial wastewaters are treated before they
are discharged into the rivers.”
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Water Pollution in Pakistan: It’s a Dire Situation
December 13, 2017
http://www.pilap.pk/water-pollution-in-pakistan-its-a-dire-situation/
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Dirty water takes heavy health toll in Sindh, Pakistan
August 9, 2016
By
all records available Sindh province in Pakistan shows high levels of
pollution, and the current steps being taken are inadequate to deal with
the challenge
Many drains in Karachi carry untreated effluents
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/pollution/dirty-water-takes-heavy-health-toll-in-sindh-pakistan/
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Pollution and the Kabul river : an analysis and action plan
1994
https://portals.iucn.org/library/node/8352
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Pollution Problem in River Kabul: Accumulation Estimates of Heavy Metals in Native Fish Species
2015
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/537368/
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Heavy Metal Pollution in River Kabul Affecting the Inhabitant Fish Population
2008
Abstract
Elevated levels of heavy metals in river water can be a good indicator of man-induced pollution in
the vicinity. Concentrations of Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu and Zn were measured in water taken along a section of River Kabul receiving untreated city sewage and industrial effluents and compared with water from Warsak Dam being upstream and pristine. Warsak Dam water (sample A) had 0.009±0.01 mg/l chromium during winter (low Q) and 0.051±0.06 mg/l during summer (high Q), while it increased 1.97 fold during low Q and 6.86 fold during high Q for water sample from the river having received industrial effluents (Site E) and 17.11 fold during low Q and 8.23 fold during high Q for water sample downstream after having received city sewage and industrial effluents (Site F) from River Kabul. Zinc at Warsak Dam water was 0.046±0.03 mg/l during low Q and 0.087±0.0 mg/l during high Q, while it increased 8.04 fold during low Q and 4.71 fold during high Q in water sample E and 9.17 fold during low Q and 5.76 fold during high Q in water sample F. Copper at Warsak Dam water was 0.016±0.02 mg/l during low Q and 0.042±0.04 mg/l during high Q season, which increased 23.75 fold during low Q and 10.95 fold during high Q in water sample E and 25.81 fold during low Q and 11.38 fold during high Q in water sample F. Nickel in Warsak Dam water was 0.047±0.0 mg/l during low Q and 0.012±0.02 mg/l during high Q which remained unchanged during low Q at Sites E and F, and showed 1.28 fold increase at Site E and 4.75 fold increase at Site F at high Q. Similarly lead in Warsak dam water was 0.008±0.01 mg/l during low Q and 0.009±0.08 mg/l during high Q, which increased 5 fold during low Q and 8.89 fold during high Q in water sample E and 4.63 fold during low Q and 10.33 fold during high Q in water sample F. A remarkable increase in levels of all the investigated heavy metals confirms the presence of a high metal load in river water.
http://zsp.com.pk/pdf2/331-339%20(3).pdf
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Effects of water shortage in Kabul River network on the plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
May 24, 2018
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-018-6730-3
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India out to damage Pakistan’s water interests on Kabul river
June 5, 2016
ISLAMABAD:
Afghanistan’s authorities with the help of Indian experts have
completed the feasibilities and detailed engineering of 12 hydro-power
projects with capacity to generate 1,177MW of electricity to be built on
the river Kabul.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/125490-India-out-to-damage-Pakistans-water-interests-on-Kabul-river
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Kabul River Basin may cause water-conflict in Pak&Afghan
Jan 10, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5NfFzbTzRE
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Afghanistan and Pakistan’s Looming Water Conflict
2018
For Afghanistan, the Kabul River is far more than a tool of coercive diplomacy against Pakistan.
https://thediplomat.com/2018/12/afghanistan-and-pakistans-looming-water-conflict/
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Water pressures rise in Pakistan as drought meets a growing population
June 14, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-water-drought-idUSKBN1JA2NW
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Could Water be a Flashpoint for Conflict in Pakistan?
Here are four tangible steps to address water security issues in Pakistan.
January 27, 2021
https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/01/could-water-be-flashpoint-conflict-pakistan
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Polluted waters bring disease and death to Afghans
July 27, 2017
Hidden by stories of violence, the Afghan state is struggling hard to improve access to clean water for its citizens
Less water, but more pollution
Add
to that the problem of water quality, as Naim Eqrar, a professor at
Kabul University, described at an Indus basin regional media forum
organised jointly by IWMI and thethirdpole.net, a day after the
knowledge platform meeting.
Eqrar quoted from the 2011 Human
Development Report of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to say safe
water supply was available to only 27% of the people of Afghanistan, and
this figure went down to 18% in villages. Only 5% of the population was
covered by what UNDP considers “safe sanitation”, and this figure
dropped to only 1% in villages.
The Afghan government has been
working hard on this, said Eqrar, and by 2016 the percentage of
population with safe water supply had risen to 45%. Rural water supply
coverage had risen to 35.5%, national coverage of safe sanitation to
8.4% and rural coverage of safe sanitation to 2.4%. Clearly, though,
there is still a long way to go.
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/polluted-waters-bring-disease-and-death-to-afghans/
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Afghanistan’s Rivers Could Be India’s Next Weapon Against Pakistan
November 13, 2018
New
Delhi is funding an ambitious dam near Kabul that could reduce water
flow to its rival downstream. The project might spark the world’s next
conflict.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/11/13/afghanistans-rivers-could-be-indias-next-weapon-against-pakistan-water-wars-hydropower-hydrodiplomacy/
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Bioaccumulation
of Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb in the Economically Important Freshwater Fish
Schizothorax plagiostomus from Three Rivers of Malakand Division,
Pakistan: Risk Assessment for Human Health
November 19, 2018
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00128-018-2500-8
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India releases three lac cusec water in Chenab River
August 22, 2020
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/560260-India-releases-three-lac-cusec-water-Chenab-River
SIALKOT
(Dunya News) – India has released three lac cusec water in the Chenab
River as administration has issued alert in Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin,
Jhang and to inhabitants across the river, Dunya News reported on
Saturday.
According to details, India opened all spillways of the
Salal Dam on the Chenab River in the Reasi district of the Indian
Illegally Jammu and Kashmir after water touched danger level.
Authorities
of the Head Marala and irrigation department have been advised to
remain prepared for any possible situation. Water level of the Head
Marala increased from 76,000 cusec to 1,40,000 cusec in five hours.
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Heavy metals in eight edible fish species from two polluted tributaries (Aik and Palkhu) of the River Chenab, Pakistan
2011 Mar 22
Abstract
Concentration of heavy metals (lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr),
and copper (Cu)) was determined in the liver, gills, kidneys, and
muscles of eight edible fish species (Channa punctata, Cirrhinus reba,
Labeo rohita, Heteropneustes fossilis, Mystus cavasius, Oreochromis
niloticus, Puntius sophore, and Wallago attu) from upstream and
downstream zones of the Nullah Aik and Palkhu tributaries of the River
Chenab located in the Sialkot district known for its tanning industries
worldwide. The pattern of metal accumulation in studied organs was in
the order: Cr > Pb > Cu > Cd. Liver showed greater metal
accumulation, followed by gills, kidneys, and muscles. Accumulation of
Pb and Cr was significantly different in organs between upstream and
downstream zones. Accumulation was greater in fish species dwelling
downstream, indicating impairment of ambient stream water due to
untreated discharge of industrial and municipal effluents into studied
streams. Highest concentration of Pb and Cr and lowest of Cd was
detected in H. fossilis whereas Cu showed higher concentration and Cr
lowest concentration in P. sophore. In contrast, lower concentration of
Pb and Cu was recorded in M. cavasius, O. niloticus, and W. attu. Mean
concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Cu were higher in pre-monsoon compared to
post-monsoon season. Measured concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cr in
muscles of species such as C. punctata, W. attu, L. rohita, P. sophore,
and O. niloticus were above permissible limits of heavy metals for human
consumption, indicating potential health risks. Therefore, these fish
species from studied locations should be avoided for human diet.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21424780/
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Health risk from As contaminated fish consumption by population living around River Chenab, Pakistan
September 2013
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1382668913001282
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First report on fish cysteine as a biomarker of contamination in the River Chenab, Pakistan
https://fac.ksu.edu.sa/mushahid/publication/192892
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Fish scales as a non-lethal tool of the toxicity of wastewater from the River Chenab
2016
https://fac.ksu.edu.sa/sites/default/files/fish_scales_as_a_non-lethal_tool_of_the_toxicity.pdf
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The status of fish Diversity of river Chenab, Pakistan
2015
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-status-of-fish-Diversity-of-river-Chenab%2C-Altaf-Umair/e019d43d1459b7a8db0f3f9176b8726e0584fa5c
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EVALUATION OF AQUATIC POLLUTION IN SELECTED ORGANS OF WILD FISH THROUGH HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES
2020
Istopathological
assessment has been considered an important indicator of environmental
pollution. Untreated sewage and industrial wastes from Faisalabad city
are disposed to River Chenab through different drains. Present research
was planned to investigate the effects of freshwater pollution on wild
fish samples. Sample of Wild fish Oreochromis niloticus were collected
from upstream and downstream sites to the entrance of Chakbandi Main
Drain in to River Chenab.Histological studies were performed on fish
tissue specimens of liver and kidney. Farmed fish and fish from
upstream areas were used as control and fish collected from downstream
sites were considered exposed to drain water
Haematoxylin Eosin
stained histological sections of different tissue of downstream
specimen of Oreochromisniloticusrevealed necrosis, lifting of lamellar
epithelium, hemorrhage and epithelial hyperplasia of gills, liver with
vacuolated cytoplasm, bile duct with proliferation and
melanomacrophages, kidney withshrinked renal cortex, necrosis and
dilation of renal tubules and splitting of muscle fiber and atrophy of
muscle bundle. Whereas histological studies of upstream specimens of
Oreochromisniloticusshown fusion of secondary lamellae and vacuolization
in gills, liver hypertrophy, vacuolar degeneration and pyknotic nuclei
Kidney, and splitting of muscle fibers and degeneration in muscle
bundle. Histological sections of gills, liver, kidney and muscle of
farmed fish were observed with normal architecture. This study revealed
that the Chenab River is being polluted due to the discharge of
industrial effluents, sewage run off from different cities and
industries through different drains whose effects are reaching in
inhabitants particularly in fish.
https://www.was.org/Meeting/Program/PaperDetail/156912
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Evaluation
of Surface Water Quality on Spatiotemporal Gradient Using Multivariate
Statistical Techniques: A Case Study of River Chenab, Pakistan
2019
http://www.pjoes.com/Evaluation-of-surface-water-quality-on-spatiotemporal-gradient-using-multivariate,92938,0,2.html
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Monitoring
and spatiotemporal variations of pyrethroid insecticides in surface
water, sediment, and fish of the river Chenab Pakistan
2018 May 29
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29845548/
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Effect Of Pollution On Fisheries Of River Chenab
Aug 28, 2017
https://www.slideshare.net/ZainabAli78/effect-of-pollution-on-fisheries-of-river-chenab
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Occurrence, bioaccumulation and risk assessment of dioxin-like PCBs along the Chenab river, Pakistan
2015
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the occurrence, distribution and dietary
risks of seven dl-PCBs (dioxin-like PCBs) in eleven collected fish
species from Chenab river, Pakistan. ∑7dl-PCBs (ng g−1, wet weight) burden was species-specific and the maximum average concentrations were found in Mastacembelus armatus (5.43), and Rita rita (5.1). Correlation of each dl-PCBs with δ15N%,
indicated a food chain accumulation process of these chemicals into
Chenab river, Pakistan. Species-specific toxicity of each dl-PCBs
(WHO–PCBs TEQ) was calculated and higher values were found in three
carnivore fish species i.e., M. armatus (2.5 pg TEQ g−1), R. rita (2.47 pg TEQ g−1), Securicola gora (2.98 pg TEQ g−1) and herbivore fish species i.e., Cirrhinus mrigala (2.44 pg TEQ g−1). The EDI (Estimated Daily Intake) values in most cases exceeded the WHO benchmark (4 pg WHO–TEQ kg−1 bw d−1) evidencing a potential health risk for consumers via fish consumption from Chenab river.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749115300397
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Occurrence,
finger printing and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Chenab River, Pakistan
2011
Abstract
Seventeen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in
surface waters (including particulate phase) from the Chenab River,
Pakistan and ranged from 289-994 and 437-1290 ng l(-1) in summer and
winter (2007-09), respectively. Concentrations for different ring-number
PAHs followed the trend: 3-rings > 2-rings > 4-rings > 5-rings
> 6-rings. The possible sources of PAHs are identified by
calculating the indicative ratios; appropriating petrogenic sources of
PAHs in urban and sub-urban regions with pyrogenic sources in
agricultural region. Factor analysis based on principal component
analysis identified the origins of PAHs from industrial activities, coal
and trash burning in agricultural areas and municipal waste disposal
from surrounding urban and sub-urban areas via open drains into the
riverine ecosystem. Water quality guidelines and toxic equivalent
factors highlighted the potential risk of low molecular weight PAHs to
the aquatic life of the Chenab River. The flux estimated for PAHs
contaminants from the Chenab River to the Indus River was >50
tons/year.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22006353/
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PCNs
(polychlorinated napthalenes): dietary exposure via cereal crops,
distribution and screening-level risk assessment in wheat, rice, soil
and air along two tributaries of the River Chenab, Pakistan
2014 Mar 7
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24607633/
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Spatio-temporal variations in water quality of Nullah Aik-tributary of the river Chenab, Pakistan
July 31, 2007
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-007-9846-4
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Distribution and risk assessment of organochlorine contaminants in surface water from River Chenab, Pakistan
May 11, 2012
Concentrations in surface waters (including particulate phase) of the
River Chenab ranged from 27-1100 ng L(-1) and 25-1200 ng L(-1) for OCPs
and 7.7-110 ng L(-1) and 13-99 ng L(-1) for PCBs during summer and
winter, respectively from 2007-2009. DDTs exhibited the highest
concentration, followed by HCHs > chlordane > ∑(24)PCBs >
∑other OCPs. Different indicative ratios for organochlorines suggest
that current use, long range transport and also past application of
these chemicals contribute to the total burden. Statistical analysis
highlighted agricultural and industrial activities and municipal waste
disposal as main sources of OCPs and PCBs in the riverine ecosystem of
the River Chenab. Risk Quotients (RQ(CCCs)) > 10 for DDTs and PCBs
levels in collected water samples from the River Chenab suggest that
risk from DDTs and PCBs is moderate to severe and fluxes calculated for
OCPs and PCBs from the River Chenab to the Indus River were 7.5 tons per
year and 1.0 tons per year, respectively.
https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/royal-society-of-chemistry/distribution-and-risk-assessment-of-organochlorine-contaminants-in-LvZSDMzBrs
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Geo-accumulation and enrichment of trace metals in sediments and their associated risks in the Chenab River, Pakistan
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0375674216300425
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Muck dumping destroying Chenab, Devika!
25/10/2020
In its recent order the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has once again
lambasted the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the
company which is executing the road widening work on NH-44 around Ramban
area. NGT pulled up NHAI and the executing agency for dumping large
quantities of muck into the Chenab river as the work on the 4- laning of
Udhampur – Banihal national highway (NH-44) is in progress for the last
several years. NGT even directed the J&J Pollution Control Board
(PCB) to take stringent measures in this regard as in past the PCB has
shown a lukewarm attitude towards NHAI and the executing agency. NGT
bench comprising chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel in his order said
that J&K Pollution Control Board (PCB) may proceed with the
recovery of compensation for the damage and initiate prosecution against
the violators of environmental norms following the due process of law.
The case has now been listed on March 31st 2021.
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/muck-dumping-destroying-chenab-devika/
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Water quality assessment of Chenab river and its tributaries in Jammu Kashmir (India) based on WQI
March 15, 2016
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40899-016-0046-7
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Evaluation of River Chenab water quality with respect to its users, using different classification schemes
August 17 2020
https://iwaponline.com/ws/article/20/8/2971/76067/Evaluation-of-River-Chenab-water-quality-with
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Pollution in Chenab
13/01/2020
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pollution-in-chenab/
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Growing opposition to dam on Chenab tributary
October 28, 2019
In Kishtwar, a remote region of Kashmir, the Save Marwah Movement stiffens struggle against building of Bursar dam
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/energy/growing-opposition-to-dam-on-chenab-tributary/
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Pakistan objects to design of Indian hydropower projects on Chenab River
Aug 29 2018
https://www.geo.tv/latest/209019-pakistan-objects-to-design-of-indian-hydropower-projects-on-chenab-river
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Pakistan objects to 4 Indian projects on Chenab river
Aug 27, 2013
https://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/pakistan-objects-to-4-indian-projects-on-chenab-river_872076.html
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SEDIMENT FLUSHING STRATEGY FOR RESERVOIR OF
PROPOSED BHASHA DAM, PAKISTAN
Nov 2016
https://www.icid.org/wif2_full_papers/wif2_w.1.4.05.pdf
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Geopolitical and economic impact of Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project in Pakistan; a threat to Climate Change
June 1, 2020
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India Rejects Pakistan's Objection On Hydropower Projects: Pak Official
2018
India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-rejects-pak-objection-on-2-hydropower-projects-as-indus-water-treaty-talks-conclude-official-1908881
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Water dispute between India and Pakistan
https://www.slideshare.net/lineking/ps-assignment-3
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Homes, nature lost for seven new dams in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir
October 30, 2020
Building bumper-to-bumper dams increases disaster risks in the region
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/nature/homes-nature-lost-for-seven-new-dams-in-kishtwar-jammu-kashmir/
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Mangla dam reservoir slowly ‘dying’: Water, power crisis looms
September 19, 2007
https://www.dawn.com/news/267119/mangla-dam-reservoir-slowly-dying-water-power-crisis-looms
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Dam Equivalents: The Solution to Pakistan’s Water Crisis
October 11, 2018
https://eacpe.org/dam-equivalents-the-solution-to-pakistan-water-crisis/
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Bioaccumulation
of Cu and Zn in Schizothorax plagiostomus and Mastacembelus armatus
from River Swat, River Panjkora and River Barandu in Malakand Division,
Pakistan
2017
http://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Bioaccumulation-Cu-Zn-Schizothorax-plagiostomus/20/1/704/html
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Collateral damage: Waste dumped along Swat River worries farmers
April 07, 2015
Output of strawberries dwindling in Ogdai village
https://tribune.com.pk/story/866013/collateral-damage-waste-dumped-along-swat-river-worries-farmers
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Heavy Metals Assessment in Water, Sediments, Algae and Two Fish Species from River Swat, Pakistan
01 September 2020
Abstract
The heavy metals were studied in water, sediments, algae, and various tissues of Glyptosternon reticulatum and Cyprinus carpio
from River Swat, Pakistan, using flame atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. The Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni were higher in water at sewage
site compared to upstream and downstream sites. In sediments, the Ni and
Cd were not detected whereas Cu, Pb and Zn were higher at downstream
followed by sewage and upstream sites. The Ni and Zn in algae were
higher at upstream and sewage sites compared to downstream site whereas
Pb and Cd were higher at upstream site compared to sewage and downstream
sites and Cu was found same at all the three sites. The heavy metals
(Zn > Cu > Pb and Ni) in tissues
(liver > gills > skin > muscles) of G. reticulatum was higher than in C. carpio. This study recommends the proper monitoring of River Swat in order to save its water and inhabitant aquatic life.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00128-020-02981-z
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Assessment of Hg accumulation in fish and scalp hair in fishing communities along river Swat, Pakistan
10 July 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-15348-6
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Screening
of polluted water of different habitat for some physicochemical
parameters and algal flora in summer season of District Charsadda, KP,
Pakistan
March 2018
https://innspub.net/jbes/screening-polluted-water-different-habitat-physicochemical-parameters-algal-flora-summer-season-district-charsadda-kp-pakistan/
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Algal communities of the Mardan River in ecological assessment of water quality in district Mardan, Pakistan
April 10, 2018
https://medcraveonline.com/MOJES/MOJES-03-00071.pdf
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Assessment of Water Quality and Heavy Metals Contamination of River Ravi in Pakistan.
2018
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Assessment+of+Water+Quality+and+Heavy+Metals+Contamination+of+River...-a0568960911
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River Ravi pollution puts lives at risk
February 02, 2015
https://nation.com.pk/02-Feb-2015/river-ravi-pollution-puts-lives-at-risk
LAHORE
- Huge discharge of untreated domestic and industrial waste has turned
River Ravi, the most important source for maintaining aquifer level in
Lahore, into a dumping pit, causing serious health and environmental
hazards, The Nation has learnt.
The entire municipal waste from
Lahore is collected through a network of 14 main drains and discharged
into the River Ravi without any treatment, increasing pollution level
with every passing day. As many as 271 industrial units discharge their
untreated waste into the canal system that ultimately ends up adding to
the pollution of already heavily polluted River Ravi. These industries
include textile, chemical, food processing, pulp and paper, poultry,
dairy, plastic, paint, pesticides, leather, tanneries and
pharmaceuticals.
Besides taking agricultural waste from India,
Hudiara Drain is carrying hazardous waste from over 100 industrial units
in Pakistan that also ends up into the River Ravi. Out of these 100
industrial units located along Hudiara Drain, 30-35 are high polluting
textile processing units, carpet industries, tanneries, food processing
units and dairies that are gradually increasing the metal contents in
water of River Ravi. The quality of shallow groundwater is poor that is
affecting working of WASA tube wells by seepage from sewerage / drainage
system.
According to various studies, high metal contents and
arsenic level has been found in the pumped groundwater that coupled with
contamination of sewerage has put the health of the masses at a greater
risk of getting diseases.
As per a study recently carried out by
WWF-Pakistan, the concentration of arsenic is much higher than the WHO
standards at shallow water table depths of up to 30 metre.
The
main anthropogenic source of arsenic is air pollutants derived from kiln
factories and fertilizers. Water quality monitoring has also shown the
presence of faecal coli forms in drinking water.
In peri-urban
areas of Lahore, farmers are using untreated sewage/industrial waste for
vegetable and fruit production that are prone to heavy metal
contamination. Presence of toxic heavy metals in irrigation water
especially downstream of the River Ravi is also causing serious damage
to animal life in surrounding areas.
One of the direct economic
impacts of untreated wastewater is the loss of fishery catches, which
affects incomes and has nutritional and health impacts on consumers.
Use
of contaminated water for agricultural purposes has made heavy metals
part of food chain while its consumption is causing people to get
waterborne diseases that is putting huge burden on healthcare
infrastructure. Typhoid, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis is on the rise
as public at large has no access to clean drinking water.
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River Ravi: Lahore’s ‘killer canal’
April 10, 2019
http://thecityjournal.net/reporting-from-pakistan/river-ravi-lahores-killer-canal/
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River Ravi pollution: Hazardous
June 23, 2015
http://www.newslens.pk/river-ravi-pollution-hazardous/
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IMPACT OF POLLUTION IN RAVI RIVER ON GROUNDWATER
UNDERLYING THE LAHORE CITY
2014
https://www.pecongress.org.pk/images/upload/books/18-Ghulam%20Zakir%20Hassan.pdf
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River city to be Pakistan’s first Green City Project: Gill
July 2021
| Says will be helpful in addressing groundwater pollution issue | No
loan will be taken for Ravi City project | Will be completed in
29-phases
https://nation.com.pk/02-Jul-2021/river-city-to-be-pakistan-s-first-green-city-project-gill
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The Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan survived wars. Can it survive climate change?
Mar 03, 2022
To revive River Ravi, the two neighbours need to climate-proof the treaty.
A
recent study by a British university on 258 rivers in 104 countries has
ranked the river Ravi among the world’s three most polluted rivers. It
has detected high levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The
active ingredients are emitted during the manufacture and use of
pharmaceuticals and disposed of into the river.
Countless small
and large industrial units routinely dump their chemical and medical
waste into the river that flows through Lahore and other cities of
Punjab in Pakistan. This finding highlights the deteriorating quality of
life for the city’s over 11 million residents, roughly half of them
young boys and girls.
It has not happened overnight. Decades of
unchecked discharge of untreated municipal, industrial and
agricultural effluents and solid waste have changed the Ravi into a
massive sewer. As if this was not enough, a large quantity of untreated
toxic wastewater from India enters the river through the Hudiyara
drain, according to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water
Resources.
https://scroll.in/article/1018427/the-indus-waters-treaty-between-india-and-pakistan-survived-wars-can-it-survive-climate-change
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Ravi ‘most polluted river’ in the world
February 16, 2022
LAHORE:
Not just the air but also the river flowing through Punjab’s capital
has been found to be the world’s most polluted, with active
pharmaceutical ingredients posing a ‘threat to environment and human
health’.
A study on pharmaceutical pollution of the world’s
rivers conducted at the University of York and published by Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences of the US detected pharmaceutical
particles including paracetamol, nicotine, caffeine and epilepsy and
diabetes drugs in the river.
It placed waterways in Lahore,
Bolivia and Ethiopia among the most polluted while rivers in Iceland,
Norway and the Amazon rainforest fared the best.
Expressing
concern over the latest findings about river pollution, environmentalist
Afia Salam said the River Ravi had been turned into a drain with human
and industrial wastes. “We have laws about dumping wastewater and
industrial wastage but no law is being implemented in the country,” she
said, adding that if the government implemented the waste disposal laws,
it would bring betterment in ground and river water.
“Also the
current government is planning to build a city on the river basin [Ravi
Riverfront Urban Development Project] and it would also increase
pollution,” she regretted. Besides, she said, India was also creating
problems for the Ravi by diverting the Hudiyara drain towards River
Ravi.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1675336
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Pakistan: Revitalizing the Ecosystem of Ravi River Basin
2017
https://www.adb.org/projects/51324-001/main
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PAKISTAN’S RIVER RAVI ECO-REVITALIZATION
2020
MASTER PLANA Road Map to Rescue and Revitalize
the River Ravi and Its Tributaries
https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/663441/pakistan-river-ravi-eco-revitalization-master-plan.pdf
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Assessment of environmental contamination using feathers of Bubulcus ibis L., as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution, Pakistan
May 2009
Abstract
Concentrations of metals such as Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn,
Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in the feathers of cattle egret (Bubulcus
ibis) from three breeding colonies in the Punjab province, Pakistan. The
mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe, Pb and Mn were significantly
different between the three study sites (River Chenab, River Ravi and
Rawal Lake Reservoir). The mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe and Mn were
significantly greater at the River Chenab heronry and Cr, Co, Zn, and
Pb concentrations at the River Ravi heronry. The feathers of cattle
egrets collected from the Rawal Lake Reservoir heronry were least
contaminated. Multivariate statistical methods viz., Factor Analysis
based on Principal Component Analysis (FA/PCA); Hierarchical Cluster
analyses (HACA), and Correlation Analyses identified relatively similar
associations of metals and their sources of input. Metals such as Ca,
Mg, and K were related with natural input from parent rock material
whereas trace metals viz., Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, Ni, and Zn were associated
mainly with anthropogenic processes. Metals such as Fe, Mn, and Li were
either correlated with natural input or with anthropogenic activities.
Concentration of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cr were well above the
threshold level that can cause adverse effects in birds and pose menace
to the cattle egrets population in Pakistan. The study suggested that
the feathers of cattle egret could be used as a bio-monitor of the local
heavy metals contamination.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19418220/
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WATER POLLUTION IN PAKISTAN
https://www.slideshare.net/hassanahmedkhan/water-pollution-in-pakistan
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Degradation of Aquatic Habitat in Punjab, Pakistan
Dec. 26, 2017
https://www.slideshare.net/maheenaly/degradation-of-aquatic-habitat-in-punjab-pakistan-84989009
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Effluents, sewage turning Pakistani rivers toxic – study
04/07/18
https://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/news/effluents-sewage-turning-pakistani-rivers-toxic-study/
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Management Of Water Pollution In Pakistan
September 24, 2020
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2020/09/24/management-of-water-pollution-in-pakistan/
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Water crisis: Why is Pakistan running dry?
07.06.2018
Pakistan
could "run dry" by 2025 as its water shortage is reaching an alarming
level. The authorities remain negligent about the crisis that's posing a
serious threat to the country's stability, reports Shah Meer Baloch.
According
to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan
ranks third in the world among countries facing acute water shortage.
Reports by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the
Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) also warn the
authorities that the South Asian country will reach absolute water
scarcity by 2025.
"No person in Pakistan, whether from the north
with its more than 5,000 glaciers, or from the south with its 'hyper
deserts,' will be immune to this [scarcity]," said Neil Buhne, UN
humanitarian coordinator for Pakistan.
Researchers predict that Pakistan is on its way to becoming the most water-stressed country in the region by the year 2040.
It
is not the first time that development and research organizations have
alerted Pakistani authorities about an impending crisis, which some
analysts say poses a bigger threat to the country than terrorism.
In
2016, PCRWR reported that Pakistan touched the "water stress line" in
1990 and crossed the "water scarcity line" in 2005. If this situation
persists, Pakistan is likely to face an acute water shortage or a
drought-like situation in the near future, according to PCRWR, which is
affiliated with the South Asian country's Ministry of Science and
Technology...
https://www.dw.com/en/water-crisis-why-is-pakistan-running-dry/a-44110280
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Poisonous and running out: Pakistan's water crisis
2018
More
than two-thirds of households drink bacterially contaminated water and,
every year, 53,000 Pakistani children die of diarrhoea after drinking
it, says UNICEF
https://www.geo.tv/latest/175790-poisonous-and-running-out-pakistans-water-crisis
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Hydrochemical properties of drinking water and their sources apportionment of pollution in Bajaur agency, Pakistan
2019
This study investigates the hydrochemical characteristics and quality
assessment of drinking water (groundwater) in the Bajaur agency,
Federally Administrator Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan. For this purpose,
water samples (n = 44) were taken and analysed for various
physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC),
total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspend solid (TSS), turbidity,
dissolved oxygen (DO), bicarbonates (HCO3−), chlorides (Cl−), nitrates (NO3−) sulphates (SO4−2), phosphates (PO4−3), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca+2) and magnesium (Mg+2).
Results indicated that hydrochemical characteristics and quality
assessment parameters were within drinking water guidelines value set by
the World Health Organization (WHO) except SO4−2, K+, NO3−, and HCO3−
in 9%, 40%, 54%, and 67% of the analysed samples, respectively.
According to Hill-piper diagram most of the samples showed Ca-HCO3−
facies which was within the weak-alkaline proportion type,
predominantly calcium and bicarbonate facies. Results of the principal
component analysis/factor analysis (PCA/FA) and hierarchical cluster
analysis (HCA) analyses suggested that most of the variations are
explained by geogenic and anthropogenic sources that affect the drinking
water quality. This study demonstrates enhanced information about
evaluation of drinking water quality by using hydrochemical data and
multivariate statistical methods to understand the factors influencing
contamination due to natural and anthropogenic impacts.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263224119302052
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Water And Soil Pollution In Pakistan Environmental Sciences Essay
2015
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/environmental-sciences/water-and-soil-pollution-in-pakistan-environmental-sciences-essay.php
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Agricultural pollutants worsen water crisis in Sindh
August 27, 2018
https://www.dawn.com/news/1429142
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Land Degradation in Pakistan: A Serious Threat to Environments and Economic Sustainability
July 2006
https://eco-web.com/edi/060715.html
1. Deforestation and Desertification
2. Salinity and Sodicity
3. Soil Erosion
4. Water Logging
5. Depletion of Soil Fertility and Negative Nutrient Balances
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Physico-chemical quality of drinking water and human health: a study of salt range Pakistan
November 20, 2018
https://medcraveonline.com/IJH/IJH-02-00141.pdf
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Groundwater
nitrate and fluoride profiles, sources and health risk assessment in
the coal mining areas of Salt Range, Punjab Pakistan
26 May 2021
Abstract
To assess the loading profiles of groundwater nitrate (NO3−) and fluoride (F−), their spatial distributions, geochemistry and associated health risks were determined for 131 groundwater samples from eastern (ESR), central (CSR) and Trans-Indus Salt Ranges (TSR) in Pakistan. Groundwater NO3− concentrations were 0.2–308 mg/L (mean 59 mg/L) in ESR, 2.7–203 mg/L (mean 73 mg/L) in CSR and 1.1–259 mg/L (mean 69 mg/L) in the TSR. Forty-one %, 57% and 36% of the ESR, CSR and TSR samples, respectively, exceeded the WHO and Pak-NEQs permissible limit of 50 mg/L NO3−. Likewise, groundwater F− concentrations ranged from 0.1–1.8 mg/L (mean 0.6 mg/L), 0.1–2.7 mg/L (mean 0.9 mg/L) and 0.3–2.5 mg/L (mean 1.6 mg/L) mg/L in the ESR, CSR and TSR sites, respectively. In this case, 3%, 17% and 27% of the ESR, CSR and TSR samples, respectively, exceeded the WHO and Pak-NEQs permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L F. Oxidation of coal and coal waste resulted in the release of NO3− to groundwater. By contrast, enrichment of F− in groundwater was due to dissolution and cation exchange processes. Elevated values of the Higher Pollution Index (PI) and Health Risk Index (HRI) reflect a non-acceptable carcinogenic risk for drinking water NO3− and F− which should be addressed on a priority basis to protect human health.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10653-021-00987-y
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Comparative
Study of the Effect of Na+, K+ and Ca++ Metals and Rhizopus species on
the Growth of Acacia nilotica and Peganum harmala Seeds, Khewra Salt
Mine, District Jhelum and Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
2003
Abstract
The Khewra salt mine area lies in the District Jhelum, Pakistan. The Precambrian Salt
Range Formation is exposed in the foothills of southern Potwar. The Salt Range
Formation consists of mainly halite (NaCl), sylvite (KCl) and gypsum (Ca So4) salts.
The alkaline soil is the product of weathering of the Salt Range Formation. The soil on
which the plants are growing is rich in Na+, K+ and Ca++ metals. The seeds of Acacia
nilotica and Peganum harmala were collected from salt polluted soil out side of the
Khewra salt mine and the non-polluted soil from Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir,
Pakistan. These seeds were grown in different concentrations of Na+, K+ and Ca++ at
room temperature (22 ± 2°C). The study of salt polluted seeds in presence or absence of
fungus Rhizopus, shows that the germination rate and biomass increase with increasing
concentration levels of Na+ and Ca++ up to 30 µg ml‾1 and K+ up to 400 µg ml‾1.
However, the germination rate and biomass of non-polluted seeds in absence of fungus,
decrease with increasing the concentration levels of Na+, K+ and Ca++. In contrast, no
single non-polluted seed germinated in the presence of fungus. The present study shows
that if seeds from A. nilotica and P. harmala plants are sown and grown in saline soils
of Punjab and Indus plains, these will reduce the salinity of soil without fungal
infection in such plants.
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjbs.2003.1324.1327
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Khewra Salt Mine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khewra_Salt_Mine
The
Khewra Salt Mine (or Mayo Salt Mine) is in Khewra, north of Pind Dadan
Khan, an administrative subdivision of Jhelum District, Punjab Region,
Pakistan. The mine is in the Salt Range, Potohar plateau, which rises
from the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and is the second largest in the world.
The
mine is famous for its production of pink Khewra salt, often marketed
as Himalayan salt, and is a major tourist attraction, drawing up to
250,000 visitors a year. Its history dates back to its discovery by
Alexander's troops in 320 BC, but it started trading in the Mughal era.
The main tunnel at ground level was developed by Dr. H. Warth, a mining
engineer, in 1872 during British rule. After independence, the BMR took
possession until 1956 and then PIDC owned the mines till 1965. After
India-Pakistan war in 1965, the WPIDC took over the administration of
salt mines and in 1974, the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation
took over the mine, which still remains the largest source of salt in
the country, producing more than 350,000 tons per annum of about 99%
pure halite. Estimates of the reserves of salt in the mine vary from 82
million tons to 600 million tons.
____________
Semi-Quantitative
Environmental Impact Assessment of Khewra Salt Mine of Pakistan: an
Application of Mathematical Approach of Environmental Sustainability
11 May 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42461-020-00214-9
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Pakistan exports Himalayan salt to the world
Himalayan salt remained below soil for millions of years and became solid under high pressure.
27.01.2013
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/pakistan-exports-himalayan-salt-to-the-world/281116
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Pakistan Wants You To Know: Most Pink Himalayan Salt Doesn't Come From India
October 3, 2019
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/10/03/763960436/pakistan-wants-you-to-know-most-pink-himalayan-salt-doesnt-come-from-india
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Himalayan Salt: What It Takes To Mine 600 Million Years Old Pink Salt at Khewra Salt Mine (Pakistan)?
10/Feb/2021
https://www.hayvine.com/social/himalayan-salt-what-it-takes-to-mine-600-million-years-old-pink-salt-at-khewra-salt-mine-pakistan
Pink
Himalayan Salt is a rock salt (halite) mined from the famous Khewra
Salt Mine – the world’s second largest salt reserve located in Punjab
region of Pakistan. The local historian traces its discovery back to 320
BC, when the army of Alexander the Great marched through the territory.
But
you know what? It was neither his troops nor his allies who discovered
the rare salt mine of Pink salt Himalayan; actually, it was the
soldiers’ horses who discovered the Himalayan Salt when they stopped and
started licking the crystal rocks placed near the mountains.
However,
the salt was there long before the troops of Alexander the Great came
across it. Himalayan Salt is actually 600 million years old, formed when
the ancient salt crystals from the seabed immersed into the lava
eruption. These crystalline rocks were buried underneath ice, snow, and
mountains for millions of years, protected from the impurities of
outside pollution. Centuries later, when minors first dug through the
tunnels, they found a pure pink-colored salt, enriched with minerals.
What does it take to mine 600 million years old Pink Salt from the Khewra Salt mine?
The
extraction of the Himalayan salt from Khewra mine began in the 13th
century, but the trading was still done on a small scale at that time.
Proper mining started in 1872 when Dr. H. Warth, a British engineer, dug
out the main tunnel.
He strengthened the existing tunnels and
also introduced modern methods of mining. These changes to the Khewra
mine ramped up the salt production, which forced the authorities to
enforce separate rules to prevent illegal salt smuggling.
There
are about 600 million tons of Himalayan Salt present at the Khewra salt
mine, and only half of the mine has been extracted till date. During the
British colonization in the South Asian regions, salt mining boosted to
over 187,000 tons annually and— with the help of modern mining
equipment and tunneling methods — that figure has now increased to
around 385,000 tons of production each year.
Well, don’t worry,
the Himalayan Salt will not be running out anytime soon, as it is
estimated that Khewra mine will continue to produce pink salt for the
next three centuries...
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Salinity: Alarming Situation in Pakistan
March 9, 2020
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2020/03/09/salinity-alarming-situation-pakistan/
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Over 90% of sampled salt brands globally found to contain microplastics
October 16, 2018
https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/over-90-of-sampled-salt-brands-globally-found-to-contain-microplastics/
Seoul,
South Korea – Over 90% of sampled salt brands globally were found to
contain microplastics, with the highest number coming from salt sourced
in Asia, according to a new study co-designed by Kim, Seung-Kyu,
Professor at Incheon National University and Greenpeace East Asia.
The
study, which has been published in Environmental Science &
Technology, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, analyzed 39 various salt
brands globally, showing that plastic contamination in sea salt was
highest, followed by lake salt, then rock salt – an indicator of the
levels of plastic pollution in the areas where the salt was sourced.
Only three of the salt brands studied did not contain any microplastic
particles in the replicated samples.
“Recent studies have found
plastics in seafood, wildlife, tap water, and now in salt. It’s clear
that there is no escape from this plastics crisis, especially as it
continues to leak into our waterways and oceans,” said Mikyoung Kim,
Campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia. “We need to stop plastic pollution
at its source. For the health of people and our environment, it’s
incredibly important that corporations reduce their reliance on
throwaway plastics immediately.”
Building on previous studies of
microplastic pollution in salt, this research is the first of its scale
to look at contaminant levels of the geographical spread of sea salt,
and its correlation with environmental discharge and pollution levels of
plastics.
The study highlights Asia as a hot spot for global
plastic pollution meaning that the ecosystem and human health in Asian
marginal seas could potentially be at greater risk because of severe
maritime microplastics pollution. In one Indonesian sea salt sample,
researchers found the highest quantities of microplastics. The country
is considered to be the second worst plastic emitter into the world’s
oceans.
Assuming intake of 10 grams per day of salt, the average
adult consumer could ingest approximately 2,000 microplastics each year
through salt alone, as the study suggests. Even after discounting the
highly contaminated Indonesian salt sample from this study, the average
adult could still be consuming many hundreds of microplastics each year.
“The
findings suggest that human ingestion of microplastics via marine
products is strongly related to plastic emissions in a given region,”
said Professor Kim, Seung-Kyu, corresponding author of the study. “In
order to limit our exposure to microplastics, preventative measures are
required, such as controlling the environmental discharge of mismanaged
plastics and more importantly, reducing plastic waste” he added...
____________
Adults ingest 2,000 pieces of plastic in table salt on average each year
October 18, 2018
https://qz.com/1429207/plastic-found-in-most-table-salts-especially-ones-from-asia/
____________
Microplastics in the Ocean Contaminate Salt
March 26, 2020
https://dailyhealthpost.com/microplastics-in-the-ocean/
____________
Toxic and Carcinogenic Plastics are Found in Fifteen Sea Salt Brands from Different Countries
March 26, 2020
https://dailyhealthpost.com/microplastics-in-the-ocean/
____________
Evaluation
of heavy metal pollutants in salt and seawater under the influence of
the Lyari River and potential health risk assessment
2021
Highlights
Health risks of exposure to heavy metals by consumption of sea salt were evaluated.
The toxicity level of heavy metals is related to the daily intake of sea salt.
Consumption of contaminated seasalt increases the risk of cancer in human populations.
Target hazard quotient proved; As, Pb, Hg, Al and Cr have higher risk of cancer in adults.
Abstract
Heavy metals intoxication through edible salt poses serious health
hazards. The conducted research assessed the levels of heavy metals,
health risks of salt samples, and the pollution index of seawater obtained from saltpans located at Sandpit, Karachi, Pakistan, which receive untreated effluents through the Lyari River. Seawater (n = 27) and salt samples (n = 27) were prepared for the detection of Al, Cd, Pb, Cr, Fe, Cu, Hg, Ni, As and Zn through atomic absorption spectroscopy, mean concentrations ± S.D. (mg/mL) were compared with the National Environmental Quality Standards,
Pakistan. The levels of Cr (40.06 ± 0.21) were the highest followed by
Fe (39.77 ± 0.08) > As
(25.12 ± 0.21) > Ni > Pb > Al > Hg > Zn > Cd > Cu.
In sea salt (Mean ± S·D mg/Kg), the Cr (47.79 ± 0.19), Fe (47.5 ± 0.15),
As (30.62 ± 0.22), and Ni were redundant elements followed by
Al > Pb > Hg > Zn > Cu > Cd. The water comprehensive
pollution index was 1000 times greater than the critical values. The
single factor pollution index was highest for Hg (1321), followed by Cr
(40), Ni (36), Pb (32), Al (31.4), Cd (31.3), and As (25). Health risk
assessment indices (from salt samples), including target hazard quotient
(THQ) for As, Pb, Al, Hg, and Cr were two to six times higher than the
noncarcinogenic THQ reference range. Similarly, the hazardous index
indicated that salt was 20 times hazardous (HI = 20.29), and the
carcinogenic rate index for the heavy metals i.e., Cd, As, Cr, and Ni
was above the reference CR value i.e., 1 × 10−4.
In conclusion, the experimental and theoretical approaches recommend
that the use of contaminated salt may impart health hazards.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X21002496
____________
(HZ) Pakistan Salt Asthma
2010
http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/69f99dead5c703f95662026e1de624de
____________
The wounds of poverty: salt workers in Achro Thar
January 21, 2020
Labourers
collecting salt from Achro Thar’s lakes in Pakistan’s Sindh province
are paid low wages and live in miserable conditions
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/livelihoods/the-wounds-of-poverty-salt-workers-in-achro-thar/
____________
Campaign Against Export Of Pakistani Salt To India
Jul 3, 2019
http://blogs.dunyanews.tv/24970/
____________
Varanasi: Seers boycott sindhav salt from Pakistan
Aug 12, 2019
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/seers-boycott-sindhav-salt-from-pakistan/articleshow/70634328.cms
____________
In Pakistan, salinity is one of the country’s most serious environmental problems
April 26, 2013
https://agrihunt.com/articles/pak-agri-outlook/in-pakistan-salinity-is-one-of-the-countrys-most-serious-environmental-problems/
____________
Waterlogging and salinity threaten farmlands along the Indus
June 22, 2015
Fields
sodden with excess, stagnant water that gradually turns saline is
turning millions of acres of farmland in Pakistan barren, prompting
experts to warn that the Indus basin could turn into lakes of saline
water
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/regional-cooperation/waterlogging-and-salinity/
____________
Water logging and Salinity: A threat in the face of barrenness
May 25, 2019
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2019/05/25/water-logging-and-salinity-a-threat-in-the-face-of-barrenness/
____________
Review: Waterlogging and Salinity in West Pakistan: An Analysis of the Revelle Report
1963
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41258131
____________
Desalination plants produce more waste brine than thought
January 14, 2019
There’s enough wastewater from the world's facilities to cover Florida a foot deep—here’s why that’s a potential problem.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/desalination-plants-produce-twice-as-much-waste-brine-as-thought
____________
Earth’s Soil Is Getting Too Salty for Crops to Grow
Buildup
of salts on irrigated land has already degraded an area the size of
France and is causing $27.3 billion annually in lost crops
October 28, 2014
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/earths-soil-getting-too-salty-crops-grow-180953163/
____________
Salinity and Sodicity in Pakistan's Punjab: A Threat to Sustainability of Irrigated Agriculture?
Received 01 Sep 2001, Published online: 05 Aug 2010
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07900629550042470
____________
Salt-tolerant plants to add fertility to Pakistan’s salt-affected soils
Aug 2021
https://www.app.com.pk/global/salt-tolerant-plants-to-add-fertility-to-pakistans-salt-affected-soils/
____________
Effects of Siltation, Temperature and Salinity on Mangrove Plants
2015
https://www.euacademic.org/UploadArticle/1341.pdf
____________
REVEGETATION FOR SALINITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN
2011
http://www.silc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/revegetation-booklet.pdf
____________
BIODEGRADATION OF POLYETHYLENE BY BACTERIAL STRAINS ISOLATED FROM KASHMIR CAVE, BUNER, PAKISTAN
2017
https://caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/V79/cave-79-01-73.pdf
____________
A review of groundwater fluoride contamination in Pakistan and an assessment of the risk of fluorosis
1 Apr 2018
https://abdn.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/a-review-of-groundwater-fluoride-contamination-in-pakistan-and-an
____________
Current Situation of Aqueous Arsenic Contamination in Pakistan, Focused on Sindh and Punjab Province, Pakistan: A Review
2017
https://www.longdom.org/open-access/current-situation-of-aqueous-arsenic-contamination-in-pakistan-focused-on-sindh-and-punjab-province-pakistan-a-review-41551.html
____________
Pakistan relies on a huge underground reservoir – but it’s polluted with arsenic and will eventually run dry
August 29, 2017
https://theconversation.com/pakistan-relies-on-a-huge-underground-reservoir-but-its-polluted-with-arsenic-and-will-eventually-run-dry-82997
____________
Contaminated Water Brings Life-Threatening Risk in Pakistan
19th September 2019
https://www.transparenthands.org/contaminated-water-brings-life-threatening-risk-in-pakistan/
____________
Pollution in Pakistan and its solutions
February 20, 2013
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2013/02/20/pollution-in-pakistan-and-its-solutions/
____________
Fertilizer industry 1.docx - Analysis of Pakistan...
https://www.coursehero.com/file/70064016/fertilizer-industry-1docx/
____________
Pakistan can benefit from ‘straw biomass utilization’ for agriculture: Chinese scientist
October 29, 2019
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/547940-pakistan-can-benefit-from-straw-biomass-utilization-to-enhance-agriculture-products-chinese-scientist
____________
Metal uptake via phosphate fertilizer and city sewage in cereal and legume crops in Pakistan
January 13, 2015
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-015-4073-y
____________
Bioaccumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements in Cereal and Legume Crops: A Review
November 1, 2017
https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/clen.201700548
Abstract
Contamination
of soil and water with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) has become a
global environmental concern that could pose potential risks to human
health and agriculture. The major anthropogenic sources of PTEs
contamination include coal combustion processes, leather tanning
operations, mining, smelting activities, and use of sewage water for
irrigation. Scattered studies are available in the literature that
determines the sources, bioavailability, and potential hazards due to
PTEs contamination to crop plants and, ultimately, to human beings. This
article reviews how solid- and solution-phase chemistry of soil and
existing plant species influence the bioavailability of PTEs to cereal
and legume plants, along with the mechanisms involved in the uptake and
accumulation. This article also describes the phytotoxic effects of PTEs
and strategies to overcome these toxic effects by identifying highly
tolerant cereals and legumes. Moreover, this article also summarizes
recent advances in the field application and discusses perspectives to
reduce PTEs accumulation in cereal and legume crops.
____________
Is Coal Ash in Soil a Good Idea?
February 6, 2009
Tons of coal ash are recycled in soil, raising questions about a buildup of arsenic and other toxic substances in food crops
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coal-ash-in-soil/
____________
Toxic Levels of Arsenic Widespread in Pakistan’s Groundwater
August 22, 2017
https://www.aaas.org/news/toxic-levels-arsenic-widespread-pakistans-groundwater
____________
Assessment of flood-induced changes in soil heavy metal and nutrient status in Rajanpur, Pakistan
March 21, 2019
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-019-7371-x
____________
Emission of inorganic pollutants from fertilizers in pakistan Products
1999
https://okdgroup.in/mining-equipment/10568.php
____________
Overuse Of Fertilizer Leads Phosphorus Shortages And Water Pollution
October 15, 2020
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2020/10/15/overuse-of-fertilizer-leads-phosphorus-shortages-and-water-pollution/
____________
Why South Asia needs to tackle a surge in nitrogen pollution
May 2021
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/why-south-asia-needs-tackle-surge-nitrogen-pollution
____________
Crop production in Pakistan and low nitrogen use efficiencies
November 25, 2019
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-019-0429-5
____________
Does agricultural ecosystem cause environmental pollution in Pakistan? Promise and menace
07 March 2018
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-018-1530-4
____________
Transboundary Environmental Stressors on India-Pakistan Relations
An Analysis of Shared Air and Water Resources
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2715.html
____________
Why Are We Concerned About Arsenic?
https://sites.dartmouth.edu/toxmetal/arsenic/
Exposure
to arsenic in drinking water represents a significant health problem
for people around the world. In 1997, the World Health Organization
recommended that arsenic in drinking water be recognized as a major
public health issue that should be addressed on an emergency basis. For
humans, exposure to arsenic has been linked to increased risk of lung
disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and reproductive disorders.
However, most studies linking arsenic with human disease have involved
people exposed to very high levels – in the workplace, for example, or
in parts of Taiwan, Pakistan and other areas of the world where levels
of arsenic in drinking water are unusually elevated. In Bangladesh and
India, an estimated 200 million people have been exposed to well water
with arsenic from natural sources deep within the ground.
During
the 1950s, U.S. cotton-growers spread a pesticide that contained arsenic
to fight the boll weevil. Although it was an effective pest control,
low levels of arsenic remain in the soil of the fields where it was
applied because arsenic does not break down in the environment, and can
enter water sources from rainfall runoff. Certain food plants —
particularly rice —have the ability to draw in arsenic from the soil
without harming themselves. These “hyperaccumulators” present health
risks to humans who eat them on a regular basis. Recent studies suggest
that food may be as important as water as a source of arsenic.
In
2001, EPA lowered the public drinking water standard for arsenic from
50 to 10 parts per billion (ppb). Soils and well water in New Hampshire
have been found to contain levels of arsenic that are substantially
higher than levels found in other regions of the United States.
Current
estimates indicate that about 46 percent of New Hampshire’s 1.3 million
people drink water from private wells, which have no state or federal
safety requirements for arsenic. In some parts of the state, about one
in five private wells contain high levels of arsenic from
naturally-occurring sources in bedrock. The USGS map to the right shows
locations of bedrock aquifer wells and concentrations of arsenic in
water. Larger circles indicate higher concentrations. Studies have
associated long-term, low-dose ingestion of arsenic with cancers of the
skin, bladder, and lung, and other chronic health issues. As a result,
New Hampshire has become the focus of geological, environmental and
human health research studies. Other states with unusually high arsenic
levels include Maine, Michigan, California, New Mexico, Arizona,
Colorado and Nevada.
By conducting studies on the ways in which
arsenic affects human health at the cellular level, and by determining
the effects of very low levels of arsenic (less than 10 parts per
billion), our researchers are increasing the body of knowledge on the
effects of arsenic exposures at levels found commonly in the United
States. Learning about metals in the environment and their resulting
impacts to people through water and food pathways will provide answers
to questions that are important in guiding public policy on setting
acceptable levels of exposure.
____________
Human waste: An underestimated source of nutrient pollution in coastal seas of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan
2017
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28238487/
Abstract
Many
people practice open defecation in south Asia. As a result, lot of
human waste containing nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)
enter rivers. Rivers transport these nutrients to coastal waters,
resulting in marine pollution. This source of nutrient pollution is,
however, ignored in many nutrient models. We quantify nutrient export by
large rivers to coastal seas of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, and the
associated eutrophication potential in 2000 and 2050. Our new estimates
for N and P inputs from human waste are one to two orders of magnitude
higher than earlier model calculations. This leads to higher river
export of nutrients to coastal seas, increasing the risk of coastal
eutrophication potential (ICEP). The newly calculated future ICEP, for
instance, Godavori river is 3 times higher than according to earlier
studies. Our modeling approach is simple and transparent and can easily
be applied to other data-poor basins.
____________
Low digestibility of phytate phosphorus, their impacts on the environment, and phytase opportunity in the poultry industry
2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30788700/
____________
Review: Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and other aquatic organisms from Karachi Coast, Pakistan
2021
https://www.smujo.id/nb/article/view/7487
Abstract
Abstract.
Yousif RA, Choudhary MI, Ahmed S, Ahmed Q. 2021. Review:
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish and other aquatic organisms from
Karachi Coast, Pakistan. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 74-85. Heavy metals
are being utilized in a variety of ways in industries, agriculture, food
processing and household in many forms. Metals are unique environmental
and industrial pollutants in the sense that they are neither created
nor destroyed by human beings but are only transported and transformed
into various products. The present study deals with the findings of
various investigators on the effect of heavy metals on fish and other
aquatic organisms on Karachi coasts of Pakistan. The polluted areas
(Rivers and Karachi coasts) receiving effluents from industrial,
agricultural, municipal and domestic wastes. The order of abundance of
the metals were as fellow; Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Cd > Pb
> Cr > Ni > Hg > As. Most studies showed that essential
metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) in aquatic organisms are much high, but the
quantities of non-essential metals are found to be less. This review has
shown that fish and other aquatic organisms are used as bio-monitoring
species in heavy metal pollution. It is suggested that such
investigations should be continuous in terms of both human health and
determination of metal pollution in aquatic environment.
____________
All You Need to Know About the Mangrove Forests in Pakistan
https://www.zameen.com/blog/mangrove-forests-pakistan.html
____________
The “Kidneys of the Earth” Are Disappearing
Feb 2 2022
https://www.ipsnews.net/2022/02/wetlands-kidneys-earth-disappearing/
____________
Constrains on mangrove forests and conservation projects in Pakistan
2012
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41506575
____________
Pakistan's mangrove restoration efforts called into question
3 December 2013
https://news.trust.org/item/20131203123452-q63ki/
KHARO
CHAN, Pakistan (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Pakistan has drawn
national and global attention for planting a record-breaking number of
mangrove trees to conserve its coastal environment, but experts are
raising doubts about the country’s ability to keep the saplings alive.
On
June 22, the country set a Guinness World Record by planting 847,257
mangroves saplings in a single day, breaking an earlier record of
611,000 mangrove saplings planted by India in 2010.
The Sindh
Forest Department carried out the planting between dawn and dusk with
the help of 300 community volunteers at Kharo Chan, a coastal town in
Thatta district in the Indus Delta, some 230 km (140 miles) east of
Karachi. The effort took place as part of the Asian Development Bank’s
five-year multi-million dollar Sindh Coastal Community Development
project.
Mangroves help prevent coastal erosion and sea intrusion
and protect against the effects of cyclones, which have become more
frequent and intense in recent years.
But experts fear many of
the newly planted seedlings may not survive, as they were planted at a
time of year with particularly rough seas, and similar planting efforts
elsewhere at that time of year have seen losses of 70 percent.
The
mangrove cover in the coastal provinces of Sindh and Balochistan faces
damage from timber harvesting, unchecked animal grazing and rising sea
levels, as well as declining flows from the Indus river because of the
Kotri Barrage in southern Sindh province.
For Yousuf Katiar, a resident of Kharo Chan, June’s record mangrove planting is a reason for rejoicing.
The
81-year-old fisherman pointed to an area now under the sea, which he
said had been land dense with mangrove trees as recently as 20 years
ago.
“It was not possible to take a view of the sea through
them,” he recalled. Because of deforestation, he said, the town is
increasingly exposed to harsh weather, tidal waves and sea intrusion
which has worn away the coast.
“We are really helpless against
the powerful timber mafia, for it enjoys strong support of local
(politicians),” he said. “Any plantation of mangroves amounts to
restoration of the life and livelihoods for thousands of the people in
the area, including my village.”
WORSENING EROSION
The
rate of erosion in Karo Chan is around 61 metres (200 feet) a year,
according to a 2012 report by WWF-Pakistan. Another report by the
programme estimates that Karo Chan, which comprises 41 villages, has
lost more than 117,823 fertile hectares of land (290,000 acres) to
erosion over the last 10-15 years.
Pakistan has lost as much as
three-quarters of its mangrove forest cover during the last 30 years,
increasingly exposing the country to risks from tropical cyclones like
the devastating Yemyin (2007) and Phet (2010).
In the early 1980s
mangrove coverage was between 250,000 and 283,000 hectares (about
620,000-700,000 acres). WWF–Pakistan estimates the present area under
mangrove forest at a little over 80,000 hectares.
Mohammad Ali
Shah, chair of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), a non-governmental
organisation working for fishermen’s rights, said that the construction
of reservoirs in northern Pakistan as well as in India had reduced the
flow of sediment in the Indus delta that mangroves need in order to
thrive.
“With the passage of time, the delta has suffered severe
degradation because of the upstream diversions of the river,” Shah said,
quoting research by WWF-Pakistan that shows that sediment flow has
dropped by nearly three-quarters as water flowing into the Indus Delta
has fallen from 30 million acre-feet (MAF) to 5 MAF over the last 25
years.
Tahir Qureshi, senior advisor for mangrove restoration
initiatives at the Pakistan programme of the International Union for
Conservation of Nature, warned that efforts to restore mangrove forests
are unlikely to bear fruit if existing threats to them remain
unaddressed.
“No effort for mangrove rebuilding will bear fruit
(unless) the release of a minimum 10 MAF water as environmental flows
into the Indus Delta from the Indus River is ensured,” Qureshi said.
Ali
Nawaz, one of the volunteers who helped plant the saplings in June,
said villagers were looking forward to the benefits the mangroves could
bring.
“If looked after properly by the government, the mangroves
would help check land erosion, sea intrusion and protect us from the
cyclones that have become more frequent and intense in recent years,” he
said.
BAD TIMING?
But Sami Memon, an environmentalist and PFF spokesperson, questioned the timing of the tree-planting.
“June
and July are months of rough sea and high tide in Pakistani coastal
areas,” he said. “Choosing the month of June for mangrove plantation is
inappropriate and unfavourable, for most of the seedlings get washed
away or wiped out by the high tide.”
According to Memon, when the
Sindh Forest Department broke records in June 2009 by planting more
than 540,000 mangroves in the coastal town of Keti Bunder, some saplings
were washed away by high tides within two days, and more than 70
percent of the remaining seedlings did not survive for want of proper
care and monitoring in the following months.
____________
Mangrove Root Model May Hold the Key to Preventing Coastal Erosion
3-Jun-2021
FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science Study First to Quantify Optimal Mangrove Root Hydrodynamic with Predictive Model
https://www.newswise.com/articles/mangrove-root-model-may-hold-the-key-to-preventing-coastal-erosion
____________
Importance of sediment flow for mangrove conservation and restoration
14 January 2020
https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?358238/Importance-of-sediment-flow-for-mangrove-conservation-and-restoration
____________
Mangroves of Pakistan – Types, Importance, and Environmental degradation
March 29, 2021
https://www.envpk.com/mangroves-of-pakistan-types-importance-and-environmental-degradation/
____________
'Pakistan only country with increasing mangrove cover'
December 09, 2019
Aslam says Recharge Pakistan project being developed to reduce damages caused by floodwaters
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2114513/1-pakistan-country-increasing-mangrove-cover
____________
Updated Checklist of Mangrove-Associated Cyanobacterial Diversity to the End of 2020
2021
https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/7dd4467e7de5b7ef,1a4c9087609c941c,2907b7060521f419.html
____________
Concrete jungle threatens mangroves on Pakistan island
November 23, 2020
https://phys.org/news/2020-11-concrete-jungle-threatens-mangroves-pakistan.html
____________
Role of macrophytes in aquatic ecosystems and management of fresh water resources
1984
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6731161-role-macrophytes-aquatic-ecosystems-management-fresh-water-resources
____________
Macrozoobenthos as Indicators of Pollution in River Jhelum of Kashmir Himalayas
2018
https://www.ijsr.net/get_abstract.php?paper_id=ART2018837
____________
An Ecological Survey of Land Use and Soil Erosion in the West Pakistan and Azad Kashmir Catchment of the River Jhelum
1969
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2401302
____________
Using meteorological data to forecast seasonal runoff on the River Jhelum, Pakistan
2008
https://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/h.j.fowler/archer&fowler2008.pdf
____________
Tawi, Banganga, Devika, Chenab, Jhelum among 9 polluted rivers, streams in J&K
17/12/2018
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/tawi-banganga-devika-chenab-jhelum-among-9-polluted-rivers-streams-in-jk/
____________
Channel Forming Discharge in Rivers: A Case Study of Jhelum River in Pakistan
2013
https://journal.uet.edu.pk/ojs_old/index.php/pjeas/article/view/132
____________
Kashmir: High organic load in Jhelum causes fish to come ashore
October 23, 2017
As fish wash ashore, experts point to environmental degradation of rivers and lakes in the valley
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/as-fish-wash-ashore-in-jhelum-experts-point-to-environmental-degradation-of-kashmir-58914
On
Monday evening, people on the banks of River Jhelum in Srinagar were
seen carrying bags full of fish. The fish en masse came ashore offering
very little resistance while being caught. A video, which went viral,
showed people in Nawakadal area of the old city stuffing their bags with
fishes.
Reacting to this unexpected development, the
administration sent a team of officials, who collected samples from the
spot for investigation. “Initial reports suggest that it is a case of
dissolved oxygen depletion and high pH levels in the water that have
caused the fish to come ashore,” Syed Abid Rashid, Deputy Commissioner
of Srinagar, tells Down To Earth.
“We have sent the samples for testing and are expecting a complete report soon,” he adds.
However,
the samples that were sent to the Sher e Kashmir University of
Agricultural Science and Technology have not been scientifically
procured. “The samples should have been taken around 5:30 pm on Sunday
(October 22), when the event actually happened,” tells M H Balkhi, Dean,
Faculty of Fisheries, Sher e Kashmir University of Agricultural Science
and Technology.
“I have received water in a bottle at around 1
am on Monday. To check the accurate oxygen level, we need to get samples
the very moment the fish were in distress. The samples have to be
procured scientifically for better results,” says Balkhi. “We can’t call
it en masse mortality. But, the fish are definitely in distress,” he
adds.
Jhelum has been the focus of the government after the 2014
floods. The focus was mainly on dredging the river to create more space
for the water to flow. The water level is at its lowest as of now.
According to the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control, the gauge
reading of Sangam point (a point of measuring water level in south
Kashmir) today morning was 0.70 ft, as opposed to 5 ft, which is normal
around this time of the year.
Experts, however, believe that it
is not due to low water levels that the fish are in distress and
attribute this event to pollution. Biotoxins and agricultural waste are
some of the reasons, according to Balkhi.
Amid confusion over the
reason for fish coming offshore, people in the valley, especially in
the Srinagar, are apprehensive about consuming fish. The fish species,
which was caught in distress, is Schizothorax. It is locally known as
Kasher Gaad. The government has issued an advisory to abstain from
consumption of fish till complete reports are out. Scientists have
advised that the collected samples be tested for metal and pesticides
which could be fatal if consumed. All the other fish species found in
other streams have been declared safe for consumption by the experts.
Plight of Jhelum
Jhelum
River, which flows through Srinagar, has been neglected for too long in
the absence of any concrete policy on drainage. A once-famous saying
about the river—all roads lead to Jhelum—has been changed to ‘all drains
lead to Jhelum’. According to Balkhi, “Organic load is very high and
the bacteria consume more oxygen for their respiration, resulting in
lower levels of dissolved oxygen.”
State authorities like LAWDA
(Lakes and Water Development Authorities) and pollution control board
have often come under criticism for not taking scientists on board while
drafting developmental policies. “It is only when something like this
happens that they are reminded of the scientists. If they expect us to
provide a scientific answer we need to be roped in from the start,”
argues Balkhi.
Terming the tests as a knee-jerk reaction, the
dean of fisheries department said that the university does not have a
toxicology lab that is needed to carry out these tests in a scientific
manner.
“For now we will do what we can, but I wish people change
their attitude towards the river and authorities wake up too,” he adds.
Experts have now and then called for coordination between the
development departments, policymakers and scientists while chalking out
developmental plans, which is seen as the main reason for degradation of
the ecosystem in the valley.
In 2012, en masse mortality was witnessed in Nigeen Lake, for which low levels of oxygen was cited as the main reason.
____________
Current Status of the Fish Fauna of River Jhelum, Kashmir, J&K
January 26, 2013
Abstract
Fish fauna form an integral part of aquatic ecosystems, and any changes
taking place in the medium in which they live can affect their
productivity, diversity and distributions. In order to assess the
current status of the fish fauna of the river Jhelum, study was
undertaken from June 2011 to January 2012. Monthly samplings were
carried out at the three study sites – Marval, Zero Bridge and Tengpora,
covering a total river length of about 60 km (about 29% stretch of the
river Jhelum through the Valley). During the study period, six species
of fish were recorded - Schizothorax curvifrons Heckel 1838, Schizothorax esocinus Heckel 1838, Schizothorax plagiostomus Heckel 1838, Schizothorax labiatus McClelland 1842, Schizothorax niger Heckel 1838, and Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus 1758. Earlier studies carried out by Yousuf et al. [1]
on this river at Butengoo (Khanabal) and Zero bridge (Srinagar) report
the occurrence of eleven species of fish which include the above
mentioned six species and a further of following five species – Carassius carassius Linnaeus 1758, Gambusia affinis [holbrooki] Girard 1859, Puntius conchonius Hamilton 1822, Bangana diplostoma Heckel 1838 and Triplophysa sp.
Mean fishing effort fluctuated between a low of 120.2-280.5 g/man-hour
at site II (Zero Bridge) to a high of 140.2-300.4 g/man-hour at site I
(Marval), with a mean fishing effort of about 130.26 - 290.46
g/man-hour. Earlier studies by Sunder & Subla [2] and Yousuf et al. [1]
report the fishing effort in the river Jhelum at 261-829 g/man-hour and
173.2-360.1 g/man-hour respectively. Apparently, the fishery resource
of the River Jhelum has thus declined over a period of time indicating
some stress or abnormal external influences which are altering the
health of this vital economic-ecologic lotic waterbody.
https://www.omicsonline.org/scientific-reports/srep694.php
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Jhelum water losing quality: Study
Apr 16, 2016
SRINAGAR:
An increased change in land use, ranging from rampant deforestation to
unplanned urbanisation and reckless use of agriculture chemicals, is
deteriorating the water quality of the Jhelum in the Kashmir valley and
costing its pristineness and shimmer.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/jhelum-water-losing-quality-study-222984
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Determination of heavy metals levels in water of River Jhelum in the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
February 2018
https://innspub.net/ijb/determination-heavy-metals-levels-water-river-jhelum-state-azad-jammu-kashmir-pakistan/
Abstract
Rivers
are dynamic fresh water systems that are essential for the extension of
life. The goal of present research was to analyze spatial distribution
of some selected heavy metals in water of River Jhelum flowing through
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). Overall eleven water samples were
collected during month of June 2014 and were examined for heavy metals
lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, mercury, nickel, copper and zinc. The
obtained results were matched with the guiding principle laid by World
Health Organization (WHO) for river water. The concentration of metals
namely lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, mercury and nickel were found
beyond the permissible limits suggested by WHO. Only copper and zinc
were recorded within the range.
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Agronomic Biofortification of Zinc in Pakistan: Status, Benefits, and Constraints
December 22, 2020
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2020.591722/full
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Hydrological and Ichthyological Impact Assessment of Rasul Barrage, River Jhelum, Pakistan
2017
Over
the years surface water quality of Pakistani rivers has been degraded.
The current study aims to investigate the water quality and fish
diversity at Rasul Barrage in the Jhelum River. A total of six sampling
sites were assessed for pollution levels and fish fauna of the Barrage.
Physicochemical parameters such as turbidity, biological oxygen demand
(BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were deviating from the
permissible limits of fresh water set by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), but meeting the criteria of NEQS, whereas pH,
temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS),
total suspended solids (TSS), sodium, and chloride were below the
permissible limits of NEQS, but the TSS level was above EPA standards.
However, the concentrations of metals such as iron (2.62-3.98 mg L-1),
chromium (0.03-0.59 mg L-1), and nickel (0.49-1.71 mg L-1) were higher
than the permissible limits for drinking and irrigation waters. In
addition, a total of 35 fish species belonging to eight families were
identified. Survey and result of study showed that concentrations of
pollutants and non-stop fishing activities of commercial fish are the
main reasons for the reduction of fish fauna. Two exotic fish species,
Oreochromismossambicus and Ctenopharyngodon idella, were found to be
abundant where population of native fish fauna numbers were being
reduced. We concluded that the surface water quality is poor, as is
evident from the higher concentrations of BOD, COD, and metals. Urgent
measures are required to prevent such contamination and regular
monitoring of water quality in the study area.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Hydrological-and-Ichthyological-ImpactAssessment-of-Iqbal-Shahid/4b1e4333681d80c32fe1845631bbd9ced16e5d0b
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Water levels in Jhelum lowest ever recorded
October 23, 2017
With
no rains in October so far, and limited rainfall in September, more
than half a million people in three districts of Kashmir have been
affected
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/water-levels-in-jhelum-lowest-ever-recorded/
Mohammad
Shafi Sofi has never seen the level of water in the Jhelum river as low
as it has been in the last few weeks in his 34 years of service. “The
situation is pretty bad. We faced drought conditions last year as well,
but not as bad as we are witnessing now,” he told thethirdpole.net. Sofi
heads one of the major water supply divisions (Sopore) in north
Kashmir.
“At many places near our water supply schemes, the
Jhelum’s riverbed is exposed. We had to press machines into service to
make diversion channels towards our off-take points,” he said.
According
to him 45% capacity of the 14 water supply schemes in his division have
been affected by receding water levels. The situation is even worse in
the adjoining Baramullah division where over 70% of 18 water supply
schemes have been affected.
“The receding water level in Jhelum
has put us on our toes. We take turns to supply water to various areas.
And in most of the areas we are supplying water through tankers with our
water supply schemes badly impacted by the drawdown,” said Zaffar Ahmad
Faktoo, the Executive Engineer of Baramullah division. He said he
caters to the needs of 225,000 people.
Ravi Kanth Sharma, who
heads the Awantipora Public Health Engineering (PHE) department in south
Kashmir, said that the Pampore Water Supply scheme of his department,
which has a capacity of 750,000 gallons, was almost crippled for four
days until the water was diverted towards the sump. “We use water tanker
service for those who have been badly affected,” Sharma said.
‘Fighting a tough battle’
Elsewhere
also, officials of the PHE department, which is in charge of providing
drinking water to people across Kashmir, have been fighting a tough
battle. There has been no rainfall in October so far and just 14mm
rainfall in September against a normal 32 mm for both months. Over 50
small and large water supply schemes are currently suffering under the
lowest ever flows in the region’s main river, the Jhelum.
On
October 18, Kashmir’s Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) department,
which monitors water levels in River Jhelum, posted on its facebook page
that gauge reading of -0.65 feet was the lowest gauge ever recorded at
the Sangam site, a benchmark recording station for Jhelum’s water levels
in south Kashmir near the river’s source at Verinag.
Sonum
Lotus, director of the Jammu & Kashmir Meteorological department
said that the monsoon circulation remained very little this year
particularly during the early monsoon, due to which the region received
such low rainfall.
Data regarding rainfall over past 17 years for
the months of September and October, shared by the Meteorological
Department with thethirdpole.net shows that the previous year and the
current year have stayed extremely dry in contrast with past several
years.
Climate change and glaciers
Shakil Romshoo, who
heads the Earth Sciences department at Kashmir University and has worked
extensively on Kashmir’s glaciers, says that the low discharge in the
Jhelum during October is not abnormal as it is the lean period now.
“However,
if, you look at the time series of the observed discharge for the
Jhelum since the 1960s, there is significant decline in the discharge of
the Jhelum since 1990s and this is attributed to the loss of glacier
mass in the Kashmir basin,” Romshoo told thethirdpole.net.
“Keeping in view the changing climate in the region, we expect that the trend would continue in the future,” he said.
According
to Romshoo, the depleting stream flows in the upper Indus basin
(Jhelum), particularly during spring and summer seasons would
significantly impact various dependent sectors particularly agriculture
downstream, but the low stream flows in autumn or winter are not a cause
of concern because of the low crop water requirement during the autumn
and winter seasons downstream.
Regarding the impact of low water
flow in Pakistan, Romshoo said: “The low flows during the autumn are not
unusual. As the winter sets in, there will be snowfall in the upper
Indus basin (including Jhelum basin) and the stream-flow will become
normal during spring and that is when you need the waters for
irrigation.”
He added, “As far as the hydropower generation is
concerned, it always suffers due to the lean (low) flows during autumn
and winter. Dams like Mangla and Tarbela in Pakistan store waters during
spring and summer so that they could run and generate power (although
at a significantly reduced generation capacity) during autumn and
winters as well.”
Dying fish stranded on Jhelum’s banks
Over
the last day reports have come of dying fish being stranded on the
banks of the Jhelum, sparking panic among locals. The deputy divisional
commissioner of Kashmir, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah has circulated a message
asking the public not to panic, in his message he wrote, “We have taken
water samples as well as samples of fish. Most of the fish washed up
ashore are not dead suggesting that the oxygen content of the river
water is low.”
As the news and WhatsApp videos of fish washing up
to the banks spread, the authorities have asked that test results be
done on an urgent basis and be distributed. While the authorities are
speculating that the reason could be due to the unusually dry weather,
they are waiting on the research results before making public remarks.
____________
River Jhelum, a new dumping yard for municipality
October 21, 2020
Jhelum is one of the smallest towns in the country and offers a perfect
opportunity to develop a model city out of it, yet, the civilian
administration is not willing to work, and the problem persists
The
ever-rising heaps of garbage at the banks of river Jhelum have become a
spectacle to avoid. The daily practice of the local municipality to
intentionally dump and then lit on fire the garbage makes it difficult
to breathe, increasing the higher ambient air pollution levels. Coupled
with the emissions from heavy traffic on the old trunk road and the new
GT road, the residents of the adjacent areas are exposed to a daily dose
of toxicity.
This practice is harming the ecosystem of this
beautiful city. The river water is increasingly getting contaminated,
and air quality is deteriorating—which can potentially have a disastrous
impact on human and river life.
The river Jhelum used to be a
pleasant sight, particularly -at the banks of the city of Jhelum. The
mesmerizing sight of the river flowing under three bridges located at a
small distance makes its picturesque site. And, now burning waste in the
middle of the river is an appalling sight for the residents. The Altaf
Park, the only public recreational park in Jhelum, is located near the
river, and the hazardous dumping yard is only a few hundred meters away
from there.
The water level of the river has drastically gone
down, over the years, after India built the dams in Indian Illegally
Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
After rising from the Vernag
in IOK, the Jhelum river settles into Wular Lake at Srinagar. It
emerges from the lake and receives the Kishanganga river in
Muzaffarabad, and flows towards Punjab. At the city of Jhelum, the river
turns southwestward along with the Salt range to Khushab.
Last
year, a 6km long flood embankment starting from the new GT road bridge
of Jhelum River to Tahlianwala village upstream Jhelum city is
completed. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded the project, costing
Rs1.7 billion. It did deter people from throwing the garbage straight
into the water, but now the municipality dumps it in the dried part of
the river. The municipality trucks carry the waste into the river, and
mostly, in the evenings, they put it on fire. This daily practice has
become a potential health hazard, and the people crossing the river or
residing in the vicinity of the river had to inhale toxic air. Moreover,
massive heaps of garbage at the banks of the river have deteriorated
the scenic view of the Jhelum banks connecting the city with Gujrat, and
it looks horrendous...
https://nation.com.pk/21-Oct-2020/river-jhelum-a-new-dumping-yard-for-municipality
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Encroachment, pollution and siltation strangle the Jhelum river
March 28, 2016
Encroachers
on Kashmir’s Jhelum river are blocking the government’s demolition
efforts, claiming ownership, while the problems of siltation and
pollution continue
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/pollution/encroachment-pollution-and-siltation-strangle-the-jhelum-river/
____________
Protection bund to be built on Jhelum River
March 26, 2017
https://www.dawn.com/news/1322820
____________
Population along Jhelum River evacuated amid high flood warning
August 28, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1576776
____________
Jhelum River
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhelum_River
____________
Tawi, Banganga, Devika, Chenab, Jhelum among 9 polluted rivers, streams in J&K
17/12/2018
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/tawi-banganga-devika-chenab-jhelum-among-9-polluted-rivers-streams-in-jk/
____________
Silting Issues Reduce Pakistan Dams' Capacity
29 Apr 2019
https://www.ooskanews.com/story/2019/04/silting-issues-reduce-pakistan-dams-capacity_178039
____________
Seasonal variations in physicochemical parameters in relation to algal nutrient enrichment at Tarbela dam, Pakistan
2017
____________
Drought In Thar, Pakistan And The Lives of Hindu Minorities
02/10/2018
https://countercurrents.org/2018/10/drought-in-thar-pakistan-and-the-lives-of-hindu-minorities/
____________
Severe drought hits Pakistan’s Balochistan province
January 11, 2019
____________
Drought conditions in Sindh, Balochistan worsening
January 29, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1460484
____________
Kohli ends personal Pakistan drought
Mar 18, 2012
https://www.espn.com/cricket/story/_/id/22328849/kohli-masterclass-ends-personal-pakistan-drought
____________
Drought Situation of Pakistan, February 2020
https://fscluster.org/pakistan/document/drought-situation-pakistan-february-2020
____________
Tackling drought in the Desert: a photo story from Pakistan
28 March 2018
https://www.concern.net/news/tackling-drought-in-the-desert
____________
Spatial
analysis of drought severity and magnitude using the standardized
precipitation index and streamflow drought index over the Upper Indus
Basin, Pakistan
02 March 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-021-01299-y
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Drought conditions in Pakistan may worsen, warns Met dept
Balochistan's
weather pattern showed that it received 60 to 70 percent of its
annual rainfall in winters, while Sindh remained dry from October to
May.
February 20, 2021
https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/pakistan-drought-conditions-may-worsen-met-department-686123
____________
‘Southern parts of Pakistan to experience harsher droughts’
June 15, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1188316
____________
Drought Risk Analysis for Water Assessment at Gauged and Ungauged Sites in the Low Rainfall Regions of Pakistan
12 November 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40710-020-00478-9
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How toxic water destroyed Pakistan's largest lake
December 06, 2016
MANCHAR
LAKE: For generations the Mohanna tribe have lived, loved, worked, and
played on Manchar Lake; their floating settlement serving their needs
from birth to death.
But an unrelenting flow of toxic wastewater
is pouring into the lake -- a byproduct of industrialisation and
aggressive agricultural practices upstream -- and has slowly rendered it
inhospitable, poisoning the water and almost everything in it.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1254775/toxic-water-destroyed-pakistans-largest-lake
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Water Scarcity and the India-Pakistan Indus Water Treaty
Jan 12, 2018
https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/water-scarcity-and-india-pakistan-indus-water-treaty
____________
Air and water pollution becoming great threat to citizens of Multan [Pakistan]
15 Aug 2001
____________
‘Rain Emergency’ Declared in Sindh
August 26, 2020
https://www.newsweekpakistan.com/rain-emergency-declared-in-sindh/
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The Cost of Pakistan’s Dam Obsession
Dams may seem to be a perfect solution to Pakistan’s water woes, but they carry steep costs – literally and figuratively.
March 04, 2021
https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/the-cost-of-pakistans-dam-obsession/
____________
Hudiara Drain - A Case of Trans-boundary Water Pollution Between India and Pakistan
2003
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=pjbs.2003.167.175
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India and Pakistan at Odds Over Shrinking Indus River
Irrigation and hydroelectric projects are draining the river's flow, while glaciers are melting in Kashmir.
2011
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/111012-india-pakistan-indus-river-water
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Effects of water shortage in Kabul River network on the plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
24 May 2018
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-018-6730-3
____________
Pakistan implementing SLMP to combat desertification: Mushahidullah
September 12, 2017
____________
Drought Risk Assessment: A Case Study in Punjab, Pakistan
March 2019
____________
Analyzing the occurrence of floods and droughts in connection with climate change in Punjab province, Pakistan
08 June 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11069-020-04095-5
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Climate change likely helped cause deadly Pakistan floods, scientists find
September 19, 2022
https://www.npr.org/2022/09/19/1123798981/climate-change-likely-helped-cause-deadly-pakistan-floods-scientists-find
____________
The rising tide of climate disasters in Pakistan
Sep 26 2020
https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/the-rising-tide-of-climate-disasters-in-pakistan-893234.html
____________
Unexpected
climate variability inferred from a 380-year tree-ring earlywood oxygen
isotope record in the Karakoram, Northern Pakistan
22 March 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00382-021-05736-6
____________
Desertification causing food, agriculture loss
Apr 23, 2019
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/desertification-causing-food-agriculture-loss.615080/
____________
Arid Land Development and Combating Desertification in Pakistan
11 May 2013
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-6652-5_12
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Desertification Control for Sustainable Land Use in the Cholistan Desert, Pakistan
2008
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-1-4020-6970-3_44
____________
Space technology in the mapping of desertification in Pakistan
1993
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/027311779390209T
____________
62m hectares of Pakistan’s total land vulnerable to desertification: adviser
August 1, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1497348
____________
List of Famous Deserts of Pakistan
October 26, 2020
https://blog.graana.com/deserts-of-pakistan/
____________
Decreased fish diversity found near marble industry effluents in River Barandu, Pakistan
Oct 24, 2015
https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journals/decreased-fish-diversity-found-near-marble-industry-effluents-in-river-7S0y0JmYO6
____________
Hydro-electric
power in the Panjkora basin at the expense of environmental
deterioration and biodiversity loss-immediate action required for
mitigation
2018
https://europepmc.org/article/MED/30402694
____________
Pollution of Large, Subtropical Rivers-River Kabul, Khyber-Pakhtun Khwa Province, Pakistan) : Physico-Chemical Indicators
2010
https://www.zsp.com.pk/pdf/795-808%20(23)%20PJZ-421-10.pdf
____________
Assessment of heavy metals in surface water of River Panjkora Dir Lower, KPK Pakistan
2014
https://www.academia.edu/8329103/Assessment_of_heavy_metals_in_surface_water_of_River_Panjkora_Dir_Lower_KPK_Pakistan
____________
Changes in soil phosphorus fractions across a toposequence in the estuary plains of Pakistan
2016
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Changes-in-soil-phosphorus-fractions-across-a-in-of-Jamil-Mehmood/2b465867fd690957f6c134bd63c60c874588c06b
ABSTRACT
Understanding
the regional dynamics of soil phosphorus (P) chemistry is essential for
developing the best fertilizer management practices aimed at enhancing P
use efficiency in cropping systems. The soil content of apatite, an
important P-containing lithogenic mineral, can be influenced by its
position in the local relief of a landscape. The objective of this study
was to determine quantitative distribution of various P-forms in
estuary plains of southern Pakistan in relation to soil genesis. Soils
at different positions within the estuary plain were sampled at various
genetic horizons. Apatite-P was the most abundant inorganic P
constituent (380-590 mg kg−1) in all cases, followed in decreasing
abundance by iron oxides surfaces adsorbed phosphorus (Fe-P),
octacalcium phosphates (Ca8-P), aluminum oxides with surface bound P
(Al-P) and the least abundant was the phosphorus occluded in iron oxides
mineral (Occl-P). The abundance of apatite-P and these other forms of
secondary phosphate varied for the soils at different relief positions
in these estuary plain landscapes.
____________
Water Pollution in Pakistan - Causes and Control
Dec 3, 2014
https://www.bookhut.net/land-water-pollution-in-pakistan/
____________
Pakistan government aims to protect new parks but neglects the old
October 16, 2020
The
government has expressed a commitment to increase protected areas as
part of its Green Stimulus package, but its failure to pay the salaries
of wardens at key national parks exposes a flawed approach to
conservation
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/nature/pakistan-government-aims-to-protect-new-parks-but-neglects-the-old/
____________
Livestock Grazing Impacts on Desert Vegetation, Khirthar National Park, Pakistan
2007
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550742407500862
____________
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____________
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Section 3: Soil Erosion
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
Effect
of Soil Infiltration Capacity, Soil Texture and Rainfall on Soil
Erosion Occurring under Different Land Use Land Cover (LULC) in Miandam
Valley Swat, Pakistan
2020
http://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Effect-of-Soil-Infiltration-Capacity-Soil/31/1/3709
____________
Pesticides
contaminated dust exposure, risk diagnosis and exposure markers in
occupational and residential settings of Lahore, Pakistan
2017
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1382668917303010
____________
Micro-Watershed Management for Erosion Control Using Soil and Water Conservation Structures and SWAT Modeling
2020
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/12/5/1439
____________
LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND ITS AMELIORATION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN PAKISTAN
2006
http://www.sciencevision.org.pk/BackIssues/Vol9/4.land_environment.pdf
____________
Urbanisation and environmental degradation in Pakistan.
Dec 22, 1993
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Urbanisation+and+environmental+degradation+in+Pakistan.-a0182336632
____________
Pakistan Soil Erosion Newswire
https://soilerosion.einnews.com/country/pakistan
____________
Pakistan Soil Erosion
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=pakistan+soil+erosion&t=h_&ia=web
____________
Comprehensive List of Erosion Control Techniques and Methods
November 26, 2015
https://americanexcelsior.com/comprehensive-list-of-erosion-control-techniques-and-methods/
____________
Around 20% of Pakistan’s land affected by erosion
November 19, 2016
https://dailytimes.com.pk/45211/20-of-pakistans-land-affected-by-erosion/
____________
Soil Erosion - its types and their control
December 10, 2018
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2018/12/10/soil-erosion-types-control/
____________
Geospatial assessment of soil erosion intensity and sediment yield: a case study of Potohar Region, Pakistan
08 October 2018
Abstract
Estimation of spatial extent of soil erosion, one of the most serious
forms of land degradation, is critical because soil erosion has serious
implications on soil fertility, water ecosystem, crop productivity and
landscape beauty. The primary objective of the current study was to
assess and map the soil erosion intensity and sedimentation yield of
Potohar region of Pakistan. Potohar is the rainfed region with truncated
and complex topography lying at the top of the Indus Basin, the world’s
largest irrigation networks of canals and barrages. Spatially explicit
Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) Model integrated with
Remote Sensing-GIS techniques was used for detecting/mapping of erosion
prone areas and quantification of soil losses. The results show that the
Potohar region is highly susceptible to soil erosion with an average
annual soil loss of 19 tons ha−1 year−1 of which the maximum erosion (70–208 tons ha−1 year−1) was near the river channels and hilly areas. The sediment yield due to the erosion is as high as 148 tons ha−1 year−1 with an average of 4.3 tons ha−1 year−1.
It was found that 2.06% of the total area falls under severe soil
erosion, 13.34% under high erosion, 15.35% under moderate soil erosion
while 69.25% of the area lies in the low (tolerable) soil erosion.
Chakwal and Jhelum districts of the region are seriously affected by
erosion owing to their topography and soil properties. The information
generated in this study is a step forward towards proper planning and
implementation of strategies to control the erosion and for protection
of natural resources. It is, hence, necessary that suitable water
harvesting structures be made to control water to prevent soil erosion
and provision of water in the lean season in this region. Tree
plantation and other erosion control practices such as strip cropping
can also minimize soil erosion in this region.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12665-018-7867-7
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Investigation of Soil Erosion in Pothohar Plateau of Pakistan
January 2021
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351438798_Investigation_of_Soil_Erosion_in_Pothohar_Plateau_of_Pakistan
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Appraisal of Sediment Load in Rainfed Areas of Pothwar Region in Pakistan
2014
https://globaljournals.org/GJRE_Volume14/5-Appraisal-of-Sediment.pdf
____________
Sediments deposition due to soil erosion in the watershed region of Mangla Dam
12 January 2011
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10661-010-1838-0
____________
Dissolved Concentrations, Sources, and Risk Evaluation of Selected Metals in Surface Water from Mangla Lake, Pakistan
09 Mar 2014
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/948396/
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Spatial/Temporal Characterization and Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Mangla Reservoir, Pakistan
13 Aug 2015
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jchem/2015/928019/
____________
Evaluation
of Contamination Status and Health Risk Assessment of Essential and
Toxic Metals in Cyprinus carpio from Mangla Lake, Pakistan
07 January 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-020-02540-x
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Spatial Patterns of Suspended Sediment Yield in the Upper Indus River Basin, Northern Pakistan
May 2004
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2004AGUSM.H41F..03A/abstract
____________
Soil formation and erosion in the Murree Hills, northeast Pakistan
1994
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0341816294900663
____________
Investigation of Soil Erosion in Pothohar Plateau of Pakistan
2021
http://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Investigation-Soil-Erosion-Pothohar-Plateau/24/1/3808
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Main causes of soil erosion in pakistan By Mr Allah Dad Khan
2017
https://www.slideshare.net/AllahDadKhan/main-causes-of-soil-erosion-in-pakistan-by-mr-allah-dad-khan
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Soil erosion susceptibility mapping using a GIS-based multi-criteria decision approach: Case of district Chitral, Pakistan
2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090447920302112
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GIS based risk modeling of soil erosion under different scenarios of land use change in Simly watershed of Pakistan.
2018
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/GIS+based+risk+modeling+of+soil+erosion+under+different+scenarios+of...-a0584711601
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New method developed to measure soil erosion
2019
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/new-method-developed-to-measure-soil-erosion/article29510035.ece
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Livestock grazing impacts on interrill erosion in Pakistan.
1995
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Livestock-grazing-impacts-on-interrill-erosion-in-Bari-Wood/2ea760989b3cf14d83fc8617f798c52ae89b6449
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Soil resources and soil related problems in Pakistan.
https://www.cabi.org/gara/abstract/20093343664
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Pakistan soil resources, issues, threats, ongoing activities and their sustainable management
2015
http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/docs/asia_2015/PAKISTAN-Dr._M._Arshad.pdf
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Estimation of soil erosion by using RUSLE and GIS for small mountainous watersheds in Pakistan [2006]
https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=PK2008000286
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Global soil erosion projected to be worse than previously expected
26-08-2020
https://knowledge.unccd.int/publications/global-soil-erosion-projected-be-worse-previously-expected
What
are the key findings for policy makers? Article 1 of the UN Convention
to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), ratified in March 2020 by 197
countries, identifies soil erosion as a primary cause of land
degradation, which, in turn, contributes to poverty and inequality
through its negative effects on agriculture, food security, and
ecosystems. Erosion caused by water flow wearing down soil surfaces
could rise by up to two-thirds compared to today, according to a JRC-led
study that modelled changes until 2070.
In a worst case
scenario, with agricultural practices remaining the same as today and no
additional policies implemented to limit global warming:
Yearly soil loss could reach roughly 71.6 petagrams – a 66% increase
compared to today. One petagram is equal to one billion tonnes.
Soil is important as it is the very basis for the food we grow as well
as for the production of feed, textiles, wood and other materials.
It provides us with clean water, hosts biodiversity, recycles
nutrients, regulates climate and is part of our landscapes and cultural
heritage.
While previous regional studies using similar models
already predict increasing loss of soil, they did not point to loss on
the same scale as this study.
The Global South is estimated to
bear the brunt of the erosion. Rich countries with high fertiliser use
and moderate climates can expect erosion at a lower rate.
Without additional efforts to protect soil, this erosion would make
reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, including the target of land
degradation neutrality by 2030, and above all the elimination of
hunger, much more difficult.
A host of knock-on effects
Soil is already under pressure from deforestation, overgrazing, ploughing and unsustainable agricultural practices.
Trends such as surging meat consumption, global population reaching 9.4
billion by 2070, and climate change inducing a more intense water cycle
put them under even more strain.
On our planet, where approximately 38 % of land is used for cultivation, soil erosion triggers several unwanted effects.
Erosion makes soils less fertile, as they lose nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon.
Farmers are pushed to use fertilizers in compensation, resulting in a
heavier economic and environmental burden caused by food production,
aggravating food insecurity.
Economically vulnerable tropical
countries, including Peru, Brazil, a number of states in Western Africa,
Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, Southern Pakistan, India,
Myanmar, Southeast China, Philippines and Indonesia are projected to be
hit particularly hard by increased soil erosion, the study claims.
Their drive to provide food to all will be an even steeper uphill struggle.
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Rainfall, runoff and soil degradation in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas - a case study in Hilkot watershed…
2011
https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0063151
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Himalayan Balsam: Cause or Associate of Soil Erosion?
June 21, 2018
https://blog.invasive-species.org/2018/06/21/himalayan-balsam-cause-or-associate-of-soil-erosion/
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Garden Erosion Control Plants for Slopes and Banks
June 28, 2019
https://findingseaturtles.com/erosion-control-plants/
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Pakistan’s natural disaster to become a 'nutrition disaster'
Sep 30, 2022
https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/op-ed/pakistans-natural-disaster-to-become-a-nutrition-disaster
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Land Pollution In Pakistan
Mar 04 2015
https://prezi.com/oegvcynejvap/land-pollution-in-pakistan/
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Land Pollution: Causes and Effects
April 22, 2020
https://www.aboutpakistan.com/blog/land-pollution-causes-and-effects/
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Pakistan in the most active quake zone, says US Geological Survey
October 27, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1215636
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List of faults in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_faults_in_Pakistan
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Mohenjo Daro and The Mounds That Hid a Civilization
Updated 10 January, 2022
https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/mohenjo-daro-pakistan-0075
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PALEOSTRESS AND OUTCROP FRACTURE ANALYSIS ALONG HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS (EASTERN SALT RANGE), POTWAR PLATEAU, NW HIMALAYA, PAKISTAN.
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Pakistan Ranks Fifth Among Countries Vulnerable to Climate Change, Suffered Economic Loss of $ 3.8 Billion
2019
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An overview of tectonosedimentary framework of the Salt Range, northwestern Himalayan fold and thrust belt, Pakistan
2014
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Strike‐slip faulting in a foreland fold‐thrust belt: The Kalabagh Fault and Western Salt Range, Pakistan
1 October 1990
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Pakistan’s Diamer Basha dam will drown ancient carvings
Dam
construction threatens tens of thousands of rock engravings in the
Chilas valley in northern Pakistan; some carvings date back to 8,000
BCE.
August 6, 2020
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/culture/pakistans-diamer-basha-dam-will-drown-ancient-carvings/
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Assessment of drought and wet projections in the humid climatic regions for Pakistan
14 October 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00477-020-01879-w
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Pakistan aims to revive glory of ancient Mughal city Lahore
March 1, 2018
https://phys.org/news/2018-03-pakistan-aims-revive-glory-ancient.html
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Biggest Ivory Workshop in Ancient World Discovered in Pakistan
More
than 40 kilograms of ivory fragments unearthed in renewed excavation of
the ancient port city of Bhanbhore’s Islamic period – and this was just
the industry’s dumping ground
Mar. 8, 2020
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Some Key Environmental Issues in Pakistan
Sep 7, 2020
https://www.jagahonline.com/blog/some-key-environmental-issues-in-pakistan/
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Ancient trees reveal climate change in Pakistan
27/04/06
https://www.scidev.net/global/news/ancient-trees-reveal-climate-change-in-pakistan/
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Tarbela Dam, Pakistan
2019-04-12
https://ejatlas.org/conflict/tarbela-dam-pakistan
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India plans in earnest to stop river water flow to Pakistan
26th August 2019
The
Centre plans to ensure that excess water in rivers is either utilised
for irrigation in the new UTs or meet water demand in states such as
Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/aug/26/india-plans-in-earnest-to-stop-river-water-flow-to-pakistan-2024311.html
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Tectonometamorphic evolution of the Hindu Kush, North West Pakistan
2015
https://open.library.ubc.ca/soa/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0074442
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The Geology and Tectonic Evolution of the Karakoram-Kohistan Range of the Himataya of N. Pakistan
1986
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Electrical
resistivity structures and tectonic implications of Main Karakorum
Thrust (MKT) in the western Himalayas: NNE Pakistan
2018
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S003192011730184X
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Tectonic, paleogeographic and hydrocarbon generation history of the Middle Indus Basin, Pakistan
1994
https://www.earthdoc.org/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.201410197
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Metamorphic history and tectonic evolution of the Himalayan UHP eclogites in Kaghan valley, Pakistan
2008
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jmps/103/4/103_080222/_article
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Provenance and tectonic setting of Early Eocene Sohnari Member of Laki Formation from southern Indus Basin of Pakistan
20 October 2017
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gj.3011
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Earthquake rocks Afghanistan and Pakistan – an area prone to magnitude 7 quakes
October 26, 2015
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Remagnetization of igneous rocks in Gupis area of Kohistan arc, northern Pakistan
18 June 2014
https://earth-planets-space.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/BF03352394
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SEISMIC ZONING OF PAKISTAN
2014
https://www.academia.edu/12114475/SEISMIC_ZONING_OF_PAKISTAN
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The stratigraphy of the southern Pab Range, Pakistan
1981
https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/entities/publication/44128884-633f-4090-b2c3-8b5d1b659599
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Plate tectonic story of Indo-Pakistan
Nov 16, 2017
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Plate-tectonic-story-of-Indo-Pakistan
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Tectonics of pakistan
https://www.slideshare.net/ShahabNoor1/tectonics-of-pakistan
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Pakistan in the most active quake zone, says US Geological Survey
October 27, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1215636
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When the Earth Moved Kashmir
October 22, 2008
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/KashmirEarthquake
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List of faults in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_faults_in_Pakistan
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Pakistan’s fault lines
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/818082-pakistan-s-fault-lines
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Geology of Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_Pakistan
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List of earthquakes in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_earthquakes_in_Pakistan
____________
List of volcanoes in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_volcanoes_in_Pakistan
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Volcanoes of Pakistan
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/pakistan.html
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Volcanic eruption in Pakistan?
Feb 2, 2010
UPDATE
2/2/2010 7:30PM EST: Another report, this time placing the activity
near Wham. This report is still vague about that is actually happening,
saying people saw "flames of burning rocks on the top of the mountain
over the last couple of days". The article also says the Headquarters of
the Geological Survey of Pakistan has not returned any inquires on the
event. My guess (and I emphasize guess) is this might be a misconstrued
forest fire ... but this is about as strange a report of a volcanic
eruption as you can get.
UPDATE 2/2/2010: A little bit more
detail - the "volcano" in question is called Torghar Mountain. There is a
blurry, unidentifiable picture that sort of looks like a scoria cone
deposit or spatter cone deposit in another report that says the
"eruption" started on Sunday night.
https://www.wired.com/2010/02/volcanic-eruption-in-pakistan/
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Mud Volcanoes of Balochistan
March 2, 2007
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Ancient Lake remains in Pakistan's Baluchistan
Start date Jun 24, 2018
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/ancient-lake-remains-in-pakistans-baluchistan.564951/
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The mud volcanoes of Pakistan
08 June 2004
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00254-004-1089-x
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New Island Off Pakistan's Coast May Be Mud Volcano, Scientists Say (PHOTOS)
09/29/2013
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-island-mud-volcano-pakistan-earthquake_n_4004630
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The
disappearing island: Satellite images reveal tiny patch of land created
by a mud volcano off the coast of Pakistan has been swallowed up just
six years after it formed
29 July 2019
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Pakistan's 'Earthquake Island' Has Vanished
July 11, 2019
https://www.livescience.com/65910-mud-volcano-island-disappears.html
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How Did the Pakistan Earthquake Create a Mud Island?
A mud volcano is thought to be behind new landmass.
September 27, 2013
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The Kohistan Island Arc Terrane and Adjacent Rocks of the Subjacent Indian Plate, NW Pakistan: Formation and Evolution of a Complex Collisional Orogen
http://www.usu.edu/geo/shervais/shervais-usu-geology/Himalayan_Arcs.html
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Strike-slip faulting in a foreland fold-thrust belt: The Kalabagh Fault and Western Salt Range, Pakistan
1990
____________
Development of drought hazard index for vulnerability assessment in Pakistan
21 June 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11069-020-04116-3
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Heavy Rains and Dry Lands Don’t Mix: Reflections on the 2010 Pakistan Flood
April 6, 2011
https://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/PakistanFloods
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Berries from the deserts of Pakistan
February 25, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1536581
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Characterization of Drought and Its Assessment over Sindh, Pakistan During 1951-2010
July 2016
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016cosp...41E..35A/abstract
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Studies on Seasonal and Spatial Distribution of Zooplankton Communities and Their Diversity Indices at Chashma Lake, Pakistan
2018
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Without sustainable land management, Pakistan faces major risks from desertification
21 Jul 2017
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Pakistan Vulnerable to Desertification
Mushahid Calls for Concerted Efforts to Tackle Problem
September 13, 2017
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1504704/pakistan-vulnerable-desertification
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Section 4: Heavy Metals
____________
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Quantification of Heavy Metals in Mining Affected Soil and Their Bioaccumulation in Native Plant Species
Jun 16, 2015
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15226514.2014.981246
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Elemental
Characterization of Medicinal Plants and Soils from Hazarganji Chiltan
National Park and Nearby Unprotected Areas of Balochistan, Pakistan
2019
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/68/5/68_ess19004/_pdf/-char/en
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Evaluation of the mobility and pollution index of selected essential/toxic metals in paddy soil by sequential extraction method
2017
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28850811/
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Bioaccumulation of Trace Elements by Different Plant Species Grown on Potentially Contaminated Soils of NWFP, Pakistan
2005
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=ajps.2005.383.387
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Soiled soil: Toxic levels of metals found in city’s vegetables
August 22, 2014
Research says contaminated water used to grow produce
https://tribune.com.pk/story/752276/soiled-soil-toxic-levels-of-metals-found-in-citys-vegetables
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MONITORING OF TOXIC METALS (CADMIUM, LEAD, ARSENIC AND MERCURY) IN VEGETABLES OF SINDH, PAKISTAN
2010
https://www.academia.edu/4418022/MONITORING_OF_TOXIC_METALS_CADMIUM_LEAD_ARSENIC_AND_MERCURY_IN_VEGETABLES_OF_SINDH_PAKISTAN
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An investigation of toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn) in Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and soil samples collected from different locations of Punjab, Pakistan using atomic absorption spectrometry
2014
The present study is based on the determination of heavy metal contents (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn) in garlic and soil samples collected from ten different locations of Punjab, Pakistan using flame atomic absorption spectrometer. In garlic samples, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Cr ranged from 4.9 to 94.6 mg/kg, 0.625 to 151.4 mg/kg, 3.7 to 56.4 mg/kg, 2.5 to 50.2mg/kg and 56.4 to 111.6 mg/kg respectively, whereas Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu in investigated soil samples ranged respectively from 57.4 to 99.6 mg/kg, 25.6 to 132.7 mg/kg, 61.7 to 115.1 mg/kg, 9.2 to 324.7 mg/kg and 15.5 to 34.5 mg/kg. Elevated concentration of Pb and Cd was found in garlic samples from Gujranwala, Cr concentration was found to be higher in samples collected from Raiwind while the other metals such as Cu and Zn were predominant in samples from Kasur. Heavy metal content in soil and garlic samples was within the permissible limits proposed by World Health Organization (WHO) except Cd, Cr and Zn which showed elevated levels in almost all soil and garlic samples. Average concentrations determined in all samples represented that metal content in soil samples was in increasing order as Zn<Cu<Pb<Cd<Cr while in garlic samples, this order was as Cu<Cd<Zn<Pb<Cr. In the present study, it was observed that garlic samples from those areas presented relatively higher levels for investigated metals from where the soil samples also showed comparatively elevated levels of these metals.
http://www.medjchem.com/index.php/medjchem/article/view/127
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Heavy
Metals in Garra gotyla , Cyprinus carpio and Cyprinion watsoni from the
River Panjkora, District, Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2016
https://www.scielo.br/j/babt/a/mMVJZ3sMvbS8mLN45dYFtQG/?lang=en
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Hydrochemical properties of drinking water and their sources apportionment of pollution in Bajaur agency, Pakistan
2019
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263224119302052
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Decreased fish diversity found near marble industry effluents in River Barandu, Pakistan
Oct 24, 2015
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Micronutrient deficiencies in rainfed calcareous soils of Pakistan. II. Boron nutrition of the peanut plant
Nov 11, 2008
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00103629709369779
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Comparative Studies of Lead and Heavy Metals Concentrations in Pakistan Soil and Its Toxic Effects
4/2020
http://www.pjoes.com/Comparative-studies-of-lead-and-heavy-metals-concentration-in-Pakistan-soil-and-their,106028,0,2.html
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Effect of Heavy Metals Emissions on Ecosystem of Pakistan
2020
https://ojs.literacyinstitute.org/index.php/ijsei/article/view/60
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Lead
and cadmium contamination and exposure risk assessment via consumption
of vegetables grown in agricultural soils of five-selected regions of
Pakistan
Feb 1 2017
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and industrialization result in serious contamination
of soil with toxic metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which can
lead to deleterious health impacts in the exposed population. This
study aimed to investigate Pb and Cd contamination in agricultural soils
and vegetables in five different agricultural sites in Pakistan. The
metal transfer from soil-to-plant, average daily intake of metals, and
health risk index (HRI) were also characterized. The Pb concentrations
for all soils were below the maximum allowable limits (MAL 350 mg kg−1)
set by State Environmental Protection Administration of China (SEPA),
for soils in China, while Cd concentrations in the soils were exceeded
the MAL (61.7–73.7% and 4.39–34.3%) set by SEPA (0.6 mg kg−), and European Union, (1.5 mg kg−1) respectively. The mean Pb concentration in edible parts of vegetables ranged from 1.8 to 11 mg kg−1.
The Pb concentrations for leafy vegetables were higher than the
fruiting and pulpy vegetables. The Pb concentrations exceeded the MAL
(0.3 mg kg−1) for leafy vegetables and the 0.1 mg kg−1 MAL for fruity and rooty/tuber vegetables set by FAO/WHO-CODEX. Likewise, all vegetables except Pisum sativum (0.12 mg kg−1)
contained Cd concentrations that exceeded the MAL set by SEPA. The HRI
values for Pb and Cd were <1 for both adults and children for most of
the vegetable species except Luffa acutangula, Solanum lycopersicum,
Benincasa hispada, Momordi charantia, Aesculantus malvaceae, Cucumis
sativus, Praecitrullus fistulosus, Brassica oleracea, and Colocasia
esculanta for children. Based on these results, consumption of these Pb
and Cd contaminated vegetables poses a potential health risk to the
local consumers.
https://arizona.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/lead-and-cadmium-contamination-and-exposure-risk-assessment-via-c
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EFFECTS OF FLUORIDE ION TOXICITY ON ANIMALS, PLANTS, AND SOIL HEALTH: A REVIEW
2017
https://www.fluorideresearch.org/504/files/FJ2017_v50_n4_p393-408_sfs.pdf
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Geochemical
modeling, source apportionment, health risk exposure and control of
higher fluoride in groundwater of sub-district Dargai, Pakistan
2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31778919/
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Elucidating
various geochemical mechanisms drive fluoride contamination in
unconfined aquifers along the major rivers in Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan
2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30928525/
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High
levels of fluoride contamination in groundwater of the semi-arid
alluvial aquifers, Pakistan: evaluating the recharge sources and
geochemical identification via stable isotopes and other major elemental
data
2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31701423/
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Groundwater fluoride contamination, probable release, and containment mechanisms: a review on Indian context
2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29572620/
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A map of natural fluoride in drinking water in Pakistan
2002
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12212818/
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A review of global outlook on fluoride contamination in groundwater with prominence on the Pakistan current situation
2017 Dec 19
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29260447/
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Fluoride in the drinking water of Pakistan and the possible risk of crippling fluorosis
February 2013
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/307766706_Fluoride_in_the_drinking_water_of_Pakistan_and_the_possible_risk_of_crippling_fluorosis
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Frequency of Dental Fluorosis in Population Drinking Water with High Fluoride Level in Thar
November 15, 2020
https://www.jpda.com.pk/frequency-of-dental-fluorosis-in-population-drinking-water-with-high-fluoride-level-in-thar-2/
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Assessment
of arsenic, fluoride, bacteria, and other contaminants in drinking
water sources for rural communities of Kasur and other districts in
Punjab, Pakistan
2016
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-016-7948-7
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Sources of arsenic and fluoride in highly contaminated soils causing groundwater contamination in Punjab, Pakistan
2009
Abstract
Highly contaminated groundwater, with arsenic (As) and fluoride (F{sup
-}) concentrations of up to 2.4 and 22.8 mg/L, respectively, has been
traced to anthropogenic inputs to the soil. In the present study,
samples collected from the soil surface and sediments from the most
heavily polluted area of Punjab were analyzed to determine the F{sup -}
and As distribution in the soil. The surface soils mainly comprise
permeable aeolian sediment on a Pleistocene terrace and layers of sand
and silt on an alluvial flood plain. Although the alluvial sediments
contain low levels of F, the terrace soils contain high concentrations
of soluble F{sup -} (maximum, 16 mg/kg; mean, 4 mg/kg; pH > 8.0).
Three anthropogenic sources were identified as fertilizers, combusted
coal, and industrial waste, with phosphate fertilizer being the most
significance source of F{sup -} accumulated in the soil. The mean
concentration of As in the surface soil samples was 10.2 mg/kg, with the
highest concentration being 35 mg/kg. The presence of high levels of As
in the surface soil implies the contribution of air pollutants derived
from coal combustion and the use of fertilizers. Intensive mineral
weathering under oxidizing conditions produces highly alkaline water
that dissolves the F{sup -} and As adsorbed on the soil, thus releasing it into the local groundwater.
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/21187049-sources-arsenic-fluoride-highly-contaminated-soils-causing-groundwater-contamination-punjab-pakistan
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Arsenic and Fluoride Contamination
Jun 23, 2015
https://books.google.com/books/about/Arsenic_and_Fluoride_Contamination.html?id=kLr-CQAAQBAJ
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Arsenic and Fluoride Contamination: A Pakistan Perspective (New York: Springer, 2015)
October 8th, 2016
http://fluoridealert.org/news/arsenic-and-fluoride-contamination-a-pakistan-perspective-new-york-springer-2015/
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Evaluation
of high levels of fluoride, arsenic species and other physicochemical
parameters in underground water of two sub districts of Tharparkar,
Pakistan: A multivariate study
2012
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0043135412007725
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The Studies on Water Quality for Cobalt and Manganese Content in Drinking Water of Multan Area, Southern Punjab, Pakistan
Jun 19, 2020
http://www.pjaec.pk/index.php/pjaec/article/view/437
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Water Pollution in Pakistan
https://graduateway.com/water-pollution-in-pakistan/
____________
Arsenic risk in Pakistan much greater than expected
August 23, 2017
In many parts of the densely populated plains along the Indus River and
its tributaries, arsenic concentrations in groundwater supplies exceed
the WHO guideline of 10 μg/litre. Very high concentrations, above 200
μg/litre, are found mainly in the south; the highest measured in this
study was 500 μg/litre.
https://phys.org/news/2017-08-arsenic-pakistan-greater.html
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How serious is the risk to Pakistanis from arsenic contamination of groundwater?
August 29, 2017
https://www.dawn.com/news/1354507
A
recent study has brought to surface a poisonous reality about the state
of the country's waters and public health once again. With samples from
1,200 wells all across Pakistan, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic
Science and Technology has concluded that up to two-thirds of these
wells are supplying water contaminated with arsenic.
The study's
estimate is that up to 60 million people in Pakistan are consuming the
polluted water. There have been previous studies carried out on a
smaller scale locally, indicating similar results.
The
concentration of arsenic found in these samples is above 200 micrograms
per litre, which is far higher than the World Health Organisation's
recommended threshold of 10 micrograms per litre and the Pakistan
government's limit of 50 micrograms per litre.
As the country's
population grows exponentially and more and more people head to urban
centres, the issue of water scarcity worsens. While we once depended on
river systems, urban migration means that our water needs are
increasingly met by groundwater extraction, which makes up to 60% of the
supply.
The risk mapping of the study shows that the entire
Indus Plain is affected. Cities near the Indus and its tributaries are
densely populated and are the hub of agricultural and industrial
activities.
Groundwater extraction through wells and tube-wells
gained much popularity with both people and the government as a safer
alternative to surface water from rivers that was contaminated with
bacteria.
However, unregulated and heavy use of chemical
fertilisers and pesticides, raw sewage irrigation, and improper disposal
of industrial effluents into water channels all contributed to leaching
of toxins and arsenic in the groundwater.
Once pumped from the
ground, this contaminated water is again introduced into the system
without proper filtration and treatment processes and makes way into the
food and water we consume.
We are exposed to arsenic through
drinking contaminated water, using contaminated water in preparing food,
and irrigating food crops with the contaminated groundwater. Arsenic
cannot be removed from water by simple methods such as boiling and
requires a biogeochemical treatment process. Reverse osmosis and
adsorptive media systems are among the most common treatments.
____________
In Pakistan, Arsenic-Laced Water Puts Millions At Risk
September 12, 2017
https://worldcrunch.com/green-or-gone-1/in-pakistan-arsenic-laced-water-puts-millions-at-risk
____________
Arsenic Harms Water Quality in Pakistan
September 19, 2017
https://borgenproject.org/water-quality-in-pakistan/
Recent
research published in the journal Science Advances has serious
implications for up to 60 million Pakistanis—groundwater in the Indus
Valley has been found to contain arsenic that likely exceeds a level
safe for human consumption. The poor water quality in Pakistan puts many
at risk of arsenic poisoning.
The published research comes from
the World Health Organization (WHO), which took 1,200 groundwater
samples throughout the Indus Plain. Scientists then used this data to
create a “hazard map” to determine how many people would be affected by
this contamination.
What they found was that 50 million—maybe
even 60 million—people would be affected by contaminated groundwater, a
number far greater than previously calculated. This estimate was given
considering that 60 to 70 percent of the population in Pakistan relies
on groundwater.
While the WHO has established that 10 micrograms
of arsenic per liter of water is an acceptable concentration, the
Pakistani government has always permitted a higher concentration of 50
micrograms per liter.
Although arsenic is naturally present in
the ground, researchers suggest that human activities may have
exacerbated the amount present in the groundwater in the Indus Plain.
Lubna Bukhari, the head of Pakistan’s Council for Research in Water
Resources, notes that, due to a lack of regulation, humans have
exploited the groundwater, leading to an increase in arsenic.
There
are no immediate effects of arsenic poisoning; however, the long-term
health effects are severe. Long-term exposure to arsenic-laced water can
cause skin lesions, damage to organs and even heart disease and cancer.
A
statement by the WHO pressed the need to test “all drinking water wells
in the Indus Plain.” With roughly a quarter of the population at risk
for arsenic poisoning, the need to address water quality in Pakistan is
urgent. Researchers also suggested health intervention programs for
those impacted by the contamination.
For those that rely on
groundwater for drinking, cooking and farming, the discovery of the
contamination could severely impact their livelihoods. The Pakistani
government must work to ensure that those impacted by the
contamination—no small figure—are offered consumption-worthy
alternatives to arsenic-tainted water.
____________
Groundwater Arsenic Contamination and Its Health Impacts in Tando Muhammad Khan District, Sindh, Pakistan
2021-07-15
http://www.ijeska.com/index.php/ijeska/article/view/95
Abstract
Present
study is aimed at correlation of clinical manifestations on skin with
high arsenic groundwater in Tando Muhammad Khan district. It is found
that many cases of arsenic affected people ranging is severity between
mild to severe arsenicosis in Tando Muhammad Khan District, Sindh have
been reported. Arsenic poisoning through skin manifestations were
observed mainly in rural parts of study area. Some other clinical
manifestations such as weakness, muscles cramps and gastrointestinal
problems like hepatitis and stomach disorder were also observed. Total
37 sites in the whole district have been reported for the occurrence of
gastroenteritis and skin related diseases out of which Taluka Tando
Muhammad Khan has been found worst affected by arsenicosis. The
confounder of health effects was high arsenic contents in drinking
water. Some cases of hyper pigmentation and diffused melanosis were
observed in Baqar Nizamani Goth of Taluka Tando Muhammad Khan. Moreover,
the dominant class suffering with stomach disorder and skin irritation
problem is children while next class belongs to youngsters (20-25 years
old). Clinical manifestation of exposed subjects revealed keratosis
development in palm and soles of both adult and children. Similarly, few
cases were also suspected for black foot disease. It is concluded that
residents of study area are severely affected by arsenicosis due to
drinking high arsenic groundwater. Hence, a detailed study is needed to
establish the clinical correlation of skin manifestations with drinking
high arsenic water leading to cause cancer.
____________
Source evaluation of physicochemically contaminated groundwater of Dera Ismail Khan area, Pakistan
30 May 2010
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-010-1489-1
____________
High levels of lead, arsenic found in Indus River bodies: study
January 11, 2016
https://www.dawn.com/news/1232128
____________
Arsenic and Lead Are in Your Fruit Juice: What You Need to Know
January 30, 2019
CR finds concerning levels of heavy metals in almost half of tested juices. Here’s how to protect yourself and your family.
https://www.consumerreports.org/food-safety/arsenic-and-lead-are-in-your-fruit-juice-what-you-need-to-know/
____________
50 million at risk of arsenic poisoning in Pakistan
August 24, 2017
https://www.dawn.com/news/1353482
____________
Up to 60 million in Pakistan at risk of arsenic in water supply, study says
August 24, 2017
https://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/24/health/arsenic-water-indus-plain-pakistan/index.html
____________
Growing arsenic pollution of groundwater
March 08, 2019
Flood plain of the Ravi found mostly contaminated with arsenic
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1925121/6-growing-arsenic-pollution-groundwater
____________
Poisoning of groundwater from arsenic rapidly degrading ecosystem in Pakistan
November 18, 2020
WHO report reveals a long exposure to arsenic polluted water is lethal and 43,000 people die of it annually
https://dailytimes.com.pk/690415/poisoning-of-groundwater-from-arsenic-rapidly-degrading-ecosystem-in-pakistan/
____________
Arsenic contamination of groundwater: A global synopsis with focus on the Indian Peninsula
2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987120302115
____________
Arsenic and the Ganges Delta: Water Crisis in Bangladesh
2020
https://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/arsenic-and-the-ganges-delta-water-crisis-in-bangladesh/
____________
Scientists offer solutions to arsenic groundwater poisoning in southern Asia
May 28, 2010
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100527142001.htm
____________
Pakistani scientists develop arsenic water filter using watermelon rind
August 25, 2018
The innovative and cost-effective filter can help tackle contamination in groundwater
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1787880/1-pakistani-scientists-develop-arsenic-water-filter-using-watermelon-rind
____________
‘Legal, public advocacy must to check sources of toxic mercury’
September 8, 2018
https://www.dawn.com/news/1431583
____________
Mercury pollution exceeds safety level at dental clinics
April 19, 2013
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2013/04/19/mercury-pollution-exceeds-safety-level-at-dental-clinics/
STAFF
REPORT IBD: Recent study by Sustainable Development Policy Institute
(SDPI) reveals high level of indoor mercury pollution in the air inside
various dental hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The study,
conducted in collaboration with European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and
Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG), seeks to monitor Mercury emission
and release sites in various cities of Pakistan and assess air quality
to protect environment and human health.
As the mercury metal and
its amalgam are widely used in dental treatment, the SDPI team visited
various dental hospitals in the twin cities and took measurements of
indoor and outdoor air for mercury contamination using Lumex mercury
analyzer.
The study findings showed that indoor air at some
dental teaching hospitals has 8-20 times higher than permissible level
of mercury pollutants for human health. However, the outdoor air around
testing sites showed lower level of mercury compared to indoor air.
These
results were duly shared with staff and administration of these
institutions with suggestions to immediately adopt safety measures such
as improved cross-air ventilation, installation of exhaust fans and most
importantly a reduction in the use of mercury, its amalgam and waste at
the dental treatment institutions.
____________
Modelling heavy metals contamination in groundwater of Southern Punjab, Pakistan
2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13762-020-02965-w
____________
Hydrochemical
composition and potentially toxic elements in the Kyrgyzstan portion of
the transboundary Chu-Talas river basin, Central Asia
2020
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32917939/
____________
Heavy metal contamination and distribution in watershed channels and Punjkora River, Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
2016
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Heavy+metal+contamination+and+distribution+in+watershed+channels+and...-a0497794485
____________
Evaluating Insects as Bioindicators of Heavy Metal Contamination and Accumulation near Industrial Area of Gujrat, Pakistan
June 18, 2015
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/942751/
____________
Heavy Metals Concentration in Soil-Plant-Animal Continuum under Semi-Arid Conditions of Punjab, Pakistan.
Apr 30, 2015
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Heavy+Metals+Concentration+in+Soil-Plant-Animal+Continuum+under...-a0412298545
____________
Estimation of Heavy Metals in Cattle from Gujranwala District, Pakistan
2012
https://www.lap-publishing.com/catalog/details/store/gb/book/978-3-8443-8362-1/estimation-of-heavy-metals-in-cattle-from-gujranwala-district,pakistan
____________
Heavy
Metals Accumulation in Soil Irrigated with Industrial Effluents of
Gadoon Industrial Estate, Pakistan and Its Comparison with Fresh Water
Irrigated Soil
February 28th, 2014
https://file.scirp.org/pdf/JACEN_2014052013085308.pdf
____________
A Study on the Transfer of Cadmium from Soil to Pasture Under Semi-Arid Conditions in Sargodha, Pakistan
2010
https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/springer-journals/a-study-on-the-transfer-of-cadmium-from-soil-to-pasture-under-semi-S3OS4WBB51
____________
Cadmium
Contamination, Bioavailability, Uptake Mechanism and Remediation
Strategies in Soil-Plant-Environment System: a Critical Review
December 30, 2020
https://www.eurekaselect.com/184951/article
____________
Toxicity of Cadmium in Soil-Plant-Human Continuum and Its Bioremediation Techniques
October 28th, 2020
https://www.intechopen.com/books/soil-contamination-threats-and-sustainable-solutions/toxicity-of-cadmium-in-soil-plant-human-continuum-and-its-bioremediation-techniques
____________
Heavy metal pollution from phosphate rock used for the production of fertilizer in Pakistan
2008
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026265X08001057
____________
HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION AND ACCUMULATION IN SOIL AND WILD PLANT SPECIES FROM INDUSTRIAL AREA OF ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
2010
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/HEAVY-METAL-CONTAMINATION-AND-ACCUMULATION-IN-SOIL-Malik-Husain/810605dc62582cf3cbfe4bbee1d9ef3b6df09411
____________
Heavy
Metals Accumulation in Soil Irrigated with Industrial Effluents of
Gadoon Industrial Estate, Pakistan and Its Comparison with Fresh Water
Irrigated Soil
May 2014
https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=46056
____________
Multistatistical
approaches for environmental geochemical assessment of pollutants in
soils of Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate, Pakistan
February 4, 2015
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs11368-015-1075-9.pdf
____________
Toxic Levels of PCBs in Soil of I-9 Industrial Area, Islamabad, Pakistan
2014
https://www.academia.edu/7430516/Toxic_Levels_of_PCBs_in_Soil_of_I_9_Industrial_Area_Islamabad_Pakistan
____________
Potentially
toxic elements in soil of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Tribal
areas, Pakistan: evaluation for human and ecological risk assessment
2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29569020/
____________
Heavy
Metals in Garra gotyla , Cyprinus carpio and Cyprinion watsoni from the
River Panjkora, District, Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2016
https://www.scielo.br/j/babt/a/mMVJZ3sMvbS8mLN45dYFtQG/?lang=en
____________
Physicochemical Parameters of water Collected from River Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2015
https://idosi.org/wjfms/wjfms7(6)15/9.pdf
____________
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEEPAGE AND DISCHARGE FOR KABUL RIVER IN DISTRICT NOWSHERA
2015-12-31
https://pjaaevs.sau.edu.pk/index.php/ojs/article/view/103
____________
Water quality assessment of the River Kabul at Peshawar, Pakistan: Industrial and urban wastewater impacts
03 September 2013
https://link.springer.com/article/10.3103/S1063455X1304005X
____________
Evaluation of heavy metals in River Kabul at Khazana Sugar Mill Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2017
https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2017/vol5issue6/PartAG/5-6-57-849.pdf
____________
Pollution of heavy metals in River Dor at Jama Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
2018
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326008834_Pollution_of_heavy_metals_in_River_Dor_at_Jama_Khyber_Pakhtunkhwa_Pakistan
____________
Pollution Problem in River Kabul: Accumulation Estimates of Heavy Metals in Native Fish Species
2015
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26339622/
____________
Determination
of heavy metal contents in water, sediments, and fish tissues of
Shizothorax plagiostomus in river Panjkora at Lower Dir, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
July 14, 2014
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-014-3932-1
____________
Bioaccumulation
of Heavy Metals in Water, Sediments, and Tissues and Their
Histopathological Effects on Anodonta cygnea (Linea, 1876) in Kabul
River, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2018
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2018/1910274/
____________
Heavy metals in three commercially valuable cyprinids in the river Panjkora, district Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2015
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02772248.2015.1100916
____________
Panjkora River
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panjkora_River
____________
Fish White Muscle as Biomarker for Riverine Pollution
2009
http://zsp.com.pk/pdf1/179-188%20(3).pdf
____________
Pakistan trout farms at risk of financial ruin after pandemic
August 4, 2020
Trout
farming has been booming in Pakistan’s mountainous northern regions in
recent years. But as the lockdown continues, trout farmers may lose
tonnes of fish and millions of dollars
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/nature/pakistan-trout-farms/
____________
Phuleli canal: Judge orders short-term remedy for effluent treatment
April 16, 2017
Pollution continues at canal as SEPA, SITE Association continue to argue on installation of treatment plants
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1384790/phuleli-canal-judge-orders-short-term-remedy-effluent-treatment
____________
ASSESSMENT OF POLLUTION STATUS OF RIVERS JEHLUM AND SUTLEJ, PAKISTAN THROUGH TRACE METALS IN FISH, SEDIMENT AND WATER
1 May 1994
____________
Persistent
organic pollutants (POPs) in fish species from different lakes of the
lesser Himalayan region (LHR), Pakistan: The influence of proximal
sources in distribution of POPs
2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969720368820
____________
Human
health risk assessment of heavy metals in raw milk of buffalo feeding
at wastewater-irrigated agricultural farms in Pakistan
22 May 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-020-09256-4
____________
Analysis
Of Non-Volatile Toxic Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, Cu,Cr And Zn) In ALLIUM
SATIVUM (Garlic) And Soil Samples ,Collected From Different Locations Of
Punjab, Pakistan By Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
2013
https://doaj.org/article/84ec3f2ebda44b0e8d8951cd56168aef
____________
BIOECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF THE BIRDS OF HINGOL NATIONAL PARK, BALOCHISTAN.
2010
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/BIOECOLOGY+AND+CONSERVATION+OF+THE+BIRDS+OF+HINGOL+NATIONAL+PARK%2C...-a0240448345
____________
Anthropogenic impact on the distribution of the birds in the tropical thorn forest, Punjab, Pakistan
2018
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2287884X18301079
____________
Ecological Concerns of Migratory Birds in Pakistan: A Review
May 16, 2018
https://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Ecological-Concerns-of-Migratory-Birds/26/8/1490/html
____________
List of birds of Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Pakistan
____________
Flamingo chicks dying in captivity
August 5, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1198434
SONMIANI:
A large number of flamingo babies born in the remote sand dunes of
Miani Hor have died over the past few weeks when people in the
surrounding fishing settlements took them home in an attempt to
domesticate them but failed to provide proper care, a recent visit to
the area showed...
____________
List of wildlife sanctuaries in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wildlife_sanctuaries_in_Pakistan
Wildlife sanctuaries
Argam Basti Wildlife Sanctuary
Astore Wildlife Sanctuary
Bajwat Wildlife Sanctuary
Baltistan Wildlife Sanctuary
Bijoro Chach Wildlife Sanctuary
Borraka Wildlife Sanctuary
Buzi Makola Wildlife Sanctuary
Chashma and Taunsa Barrage Dolphin Sanctuary
Cholistan Wildlife Sanctuary
Chorani Wildlife Sanctuary
Chotiari Wetland
Chumbi Surla Wildlife Sanctuary
Cut Munarki Chach Wildlife Sanctuary
Daphar Wildlife Sanctuary
Deh Akro Wildlife Sanctuary
Dhoung Block Wildlife Sanctuary
Drigh Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Dureji Wildlife Sanctuary
Ghondak Dhono Wildlife Sanctuary
Gullel Kohri Wildlife Sanctuary
Gulsher Dhand Wildlife Sanctuary
Hub Dam Wildlife Sanctuary
Hadero Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Haleji Wildlife Sanctuary
Haleji Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Islamabad Wildlife Sanctuary
Kachau Wildlife Sanctuary
Kargah Wildlife Sanctuary
Keti Bunder South Wildlife Sanctuary
Khadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Kharar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Khat Dhoro Wildlife Sanctuary
Kinjhar Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Koh-e-Geish Wildlife Sanctuary
Kolwah Kap Wildlife Sanctuary
Kot Dinghano Wildlife Sanctuary
Lakhi Wildlife Sanctuary
Lehri Nature Park
Mahal Kohistan Wildlife Sanctuary
Majiran Wildlife Sanctuary
Manglot Wildlife Park
Manshi Wildlife Sanctuary
Marho Kotri Wildlife Sanctuary
Maslakh Wildlife Sanctuary
Mehrano Wildlife Sanctuary
Miani Dhand Wildlife Sanctuary
Mohabat Doro Wildlife Sanctuary
Munarki Wildlife Sanctuary
Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary
Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
Nemal Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Norange Wildlife Sanctuary
Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary
Raghai Rakhshan Wildlife Sanctuary
Ras Koh Wildlife Sanctuary
Rasool Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary
Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary
Sadnani Wildlife Sanctuary
Salkhala Wildlife Sanctuary
Salpara Wildlife Sanctuary
Samno Dhand Wildlife Sanctuary
Sasnamana Wildlife Sanctuary
Shah Lando Wildlife Sanctuary
Shashan Wildlife Sanctuary
Sheikh Buddin Wildlife Sanctuary
Sodhi Wildlife Sanctuary
Takkar Wildlife Sanctuary
Taunsa Barrage Wildlife Sanctuary
Ziarat Juniper Wildlife Sanctuary
____________
Pakistan forgiveness laws: The price of getting away with murder
6 January 2020
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50716694
____________
Wealthy Arabs Descend On Pakistan To Kill The Bustards
November 22, 2014
____________
Pakistan Sees a Surge in Honey Production
April 23, 2020
https://www.treehugger.com/pakistan-honey-billion-trees-4859416
___________
List of endangered species in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endangered_species_in_Pakistan
____________
List of endangered animal species in Pakistan
November 01, 2021
https://wikimili.com/en/List_of_endangered_species_in_Pakistan
____________
AFLP and PBA polymorphisms in an endangered medicinal plant, Rhazya stricta, in Pakistan
14 November 2013
____________
Endangered species in Pakistan
Jul. 16, 2013
https://www.slideshare.net/iqraafzal10/endangered-species-in-pakistan
____________
Endangered species of pakistan
Dec. 30, 2018
https://www.slideshare.net/NoorzadaWazir/endangered-species-of-pakistan-126969769
____________
Twin orphaned bear cubs given shelter near India-Pakistan border
https://www.globalheroes.com/twin-orphaned-bear-cubs-given-shelter-near-india-pakistan-border/
____________
Pakistan: Green turtles facing extinction due to diesel smuggling
June 24, 2021
https://pakobserver.net/pakistan-green-turtles-facing-extinction-due-to-diesel-smuggling/
____________
Woolly Flying Squirrel. Long Thought Extinct, Shows Up in Pakistan
1995
____________
Govt to Prepare Red Data List of Wildlife Species in Pakistan
Dec 14, 2020
https://propakistani.pk/2020/12/14/govt-to-prepare-red-data-list-of-wildlife-species-in-pakistan/
____________
Rich People In Pakistan Are Keeping Exotic Animals In Homes
July 2, 2019
https://www.parhlo.com/rich-pakistani-exotic-animals/
____________
Pakistan doesn’t have a single lion, tiger, rhino
February 18, 2013
Tiger,
lion, rhinoceros and swamp deer are the four mammal species that have
disappeared from Pakistan, reveal latest wildlife data that also
indicate that many birds and animals are facing extinction in that
country.
The News International reported Sunday that the four
mammals known to have so far disappeared from Pakistan are the tiger
(Panthera tigris), swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli), lion (Panthera leo)
and the Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).
Four
more species are also likely to vanish from the wildlife list. These
include the Asiatic cheetah, Indian wild ass and hangul, show data
posted by Wild Life of Pakistan on its website.
The major
biological areas in Pakistan include Pamir-Karakoram highlands,
Himalayan highlands, Antolia-Iranian desert, Indus-Ganges monsoon forest
and Thar desert.
A list of threatened animals said 37 species
and 14 sub-species of internationally threatened or near-threatened
mammals are found in Pakistan.
The critically endangered mammals are the Balochistan black bear and the Chiltan goat.
The
environment ministry provided details to the National Assembly that
said out of 4,100 mammal species in the world, Pakistan is home to 188.
Syed
Mehmood Nasir, a senior wildlife official, told the daily that they
were taking measures in coordination with private experts to ensure
survival of endangered species of birds and mammals.
‘Our
officials are taking great pains to collect data and constitute policies
for protection of endangered species of birds and mammals. Strict laws
are being introduced to prevent illegal hunting across the country,’ he
was quoted as saying.
https://bigcatrescue.org/pakistan-doesnt-have-a-single-lion-tiger-rhino/
____________
Pakistan: Rising cases of animal cruelty anger activists
From
the alleged rape of a kitten by teenagers in Lahore to the death of two
lions during transfer from zoo, institutional and informal animal
cruelty has come under scrutiny in Pakistan. Mavra Bari reports.
06.08.2020
https://www.dw.com/en/pakistan-rising-cases-of-animal-cruelty-anger-activists/a-54465639
____________
Environmental Law in Pakistan: A Short Client Guide
May 2, 2016
https://joshandmakinternational.com/environmental-law-in-pakistan/
____________
When did megafauna go extinct from Pakistan?
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/when-did-megafauna-go-extinct-from-pakistan.644676/
____________
Extinction of Species in Pakistan
1. Snow Leopard
2. Indus River Dolphin
3. Baluchistan Forest Dormouse
4. Indian Vulture
5. Mountain Weasel
6. Baluchistan Black Bear
7. Green SeaTurtle
https://www.knowledgehub2022.com/2020/02/extinction-of-species-in-pakistan.html
____________
EXTINCTION OF WILDLIFE SPECIES IN PAKISTAN
January 22, 2019
https://dailytimes.com.pk/346849/extinction-of-wildlife-species-in-pakistan/
____________
Category: Extinct animals of Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Extinct_animals_of_Pakistan
____________
Extinct Animals List In Pakistan
December 4, 2020
https://idaliassalon.com/extinct-animals-list-in-pakistan/
____________
Closing zoos and turning them into animal shelters (stray dogs) in PAKISTAN
____________
Stop hunting of markhors and save endangered Species of animals in Pakistan
____________
Trophy Hunters are Paying Insane Fees to Hunt Endangered National Animal of Pakistan
2019
____________
Camels becoming endangered species in Pakistan
February 22, 2010
https://nation.com.pk/22-Feb-2010/camels-becoming-endangered-species-in-pakistan
____________
In Pakistan, rich city dwellers flaunt their wealth by keeping lions and other ‘exotic’ species as pets, status symbols
2 Jul, 2019
____________
Breaking! American Trophy Hunter Kills Endangered Markhor Goat in Pakistan
2019
____________
8 Exotic Animals You Won’t Believe Exist In Pakistan
January 15, 2016
https://www.parhlo.com/8-fascinating-animals-found-in-pakistan/
____________
Texas businessman pays $110K to kill rare mountain goat in Pakistan
The species, which was considered endangered until four years ago, is known as the national animal of South Asian country.
Feb. 13, 2019
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/texas-businessman-pays-110k-kill-rare-mountain-goat-n971181
____________
Pakistan stops bid to smuggle endangered falcons
2020-10-17
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/2084267790528/pakistan-stops-bid-to-smuggle-endangered-falcons
____________
ILLEGAL MASS KILLING OF ENDANGERED INDIAN PANGOLIN
Mar 8, 2021
____________
20-foot-long endangered whale shark caught in Thatta
June 1, 2021
https://www.dawn.com/news/1626798
____________
The Critically Endangered Flora and Fauna of District Battagram Pakistan
2012
http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.als.20120204.07.html
____________
Feature: Saving Rare Birds of Pakistan
2016
https://nation.com.pk/15-Jul-2016/feature-saving-rare-birds-of-pakistan
____________
Illegal Wildlife Trade in Pakistan – Threat to Endangered Species
June 19, 2021
https://www.envpk.com/illegal-wildlife-trade-in-pakistan-threat-to-endangered-species/
____________
Top 10 Endangered Animals in Pakistan
May 6, 2020
Markhor
Himalayan Brown Bear
Asian White-Backed Vulture
Snow Leopard
Pallas Cat
Black Buck
Indus River Dolphin
Golden Mahaseer
Houbara Bustard
Marco Polo Sheep
https://pakistanimage.com/pakistan/top-10-endangered-animals-pakistan/
____________
20 Beautiful Animal Species in Pakistan are at the risk of Extinction
November 5, 2020
Ibex (Markhor)
Indus River Blind Dolphin
Kashmir Musk Deer
Caracal
Snow Leopard
Siberian Cranes
Balochistan Forest Darmouse
Asian Black Bear
Black Finless Porpoise
Burrowing Vole
Sand Cat
Marco Polo Sheep
Fishing Cat
Smooth Coated Otter
Green Sea Turtles
Bigeye Tuna
European Otter
Mountain Weasel
Sawfish
Long Billed Vultures
https://pakistanijournal.com/20-pakistani-animal-species-at-risk-of-extinction/
____________
Threatened Mammals Of Pakistan
2019
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/threatened-mammals-of-pakistan.html
____________
List of Endangered Animals in Pakistan
06/01/2016
https://ww.web.pk/2016/list-of-endangered-animals-in-pakistan/
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List of endangered species in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endangered_species_in_Pakistan
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Endangered wildlife poaching, trafficking triples in Pakistan amid lockdown
Loss of livelihoods led to surge in illegal activities
May 2020
https://www.samaa.tv/environment/2020/05/endangered-wildlife-poaching-trafficking-triples-in-pakistan-amid-lockdown/
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Illegal Wildlife Trade in Pakistan – Threat to Endangered Species
June 19, 2021
https://www.envpk.com/illegal-wildlife-trade-in-pakistan-threat-to-endangered-species/
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Pakistan foils attempt to smuggle endangered falcons
October 17, 2020
https://phys.org/news/2020-10-pakistan-foils-smuggle-endangered-falcons.html
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List of endangered species in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endangered_species_in_Pakistan
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These 15 Endangered Animals In Pakistan Are At Risk of Extinction
3 Jan, 2016
1. Markhor
2. Mountain Weasel
3. Asian Black Bear
4. Baluchistan Forest Dormouse
5. Black Finless Porpoise
6. European Otter
7. Vole
8. Indus River Dolphin
9. Caracal
10. Bigeye Tuna
11. Marco Polo Sheep
12. Snow Leopard
13. Siberian Cranes
14. Green Sea Turtle
15. Long Billed Vultures
https://www.mangobaaz.com/these-15-endangered-animals-in-pakistan-are-at-risk-of-extinction
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Endangered Animals In Pakistan At Risk of Extinction
December 14, 2020
Markhor:
Himalayan Brown Bear:
Asian White-Backed Vulture:
Snow Leopard
Marco Polo Sheep
https://www.matrixmag.com/5-endangered-animals-in-pakistan-that-are-at-risk-of-extinction/
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List of Endangered Animals in Pakistan
06/01/2016
1. Mountain Weasel
2. Mountain Sheep/Markhor
3. Asian Black Bear
4. Baluchistan Forest Dormouse
5. Black Finless Porpoise
6. Burrowing Vole
7. Kashmir Vole
8. European Otter
9. Marbled Polecat
10. Fishing Cat
Altai weasel (Near Threatened)
Argali (Near Threatened)
Asiatic Black Bear (Vulnerable)
Balochistan Forest Dormouse (Vulnerable)
Burrowing Vole (Near Threatened)
Central Kashmir Vole (Vulnerable)
Himalayan Brown Bear (Vulnerable)
Leopard (Vulnerable)
Striped Hyena (Near Threatened)
Cyprian Wild Sheep (Vulnerable)
Eurasian Otter (Near Threatened)
Marbled Polecat (Vulnerable)
Goitered Gazelle (Vulnerable)
Himalayan Goral (Near Threatened)
Gray Langur (Near Threatened)
Himalayan Musk Deer (Endangered)
Indian Pangolin (Endangered)
Kashmir Musk Deer (Endangered)
Markhor (Near Threatened)
Pallas’s Cat (Near Threatened)
Kashmir Red Stag (Critically_Endangered)
Smooth-coated Otter (Vulnerable)
Wild Goat (Vulnerable)
Black Finless Porpoise (Vulnerable)
Indus River Dolphin (Endangered)
Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin (Endangered)
Afghani Tortoise (Vulnerable)
Crowned River Turtle (Vulnerable)
Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle (Endangered)
Gavial (Critically Endangered)
Muggar (Vulnerable)
Indian Softshell Turtle (Vulnerable)
Peacock Softshell Turtle (Vulnerable)
Spotted Pond Turtle (Vulnerable)
Baer’s Pochard (Critically_Endangered)
Black-Bellied Tern (Endangered)
Black-Headed Ibis (Near_Threathened)
Black-tailed Godwit (Near_Threatened)
Bristled Grassbird (Vulnerable)
Cheer Pheasant (Vulnerable)
Cinereous Vulture (Near Threatened)
Dalmatian Pelican (Near Threatened)
Egyptian Vulture (Endangered)
Eurasian Curlew (Near Threathened)
Ferruginous Duck (Near Threatened)
Great Indian Bustard (Critically_Endangered)
Greater Spotted Eagle (Vulnerable)
Asian Houbara Bustard (Vulnerable)
Indian Skimmer (Vulnerable)
Indian Spotted Eagle (Vulnerable)
Jerdon’s Babbler (Vulnerable)
Kashmir Flycatcher (Vulnerable)
Laggar Falcon (Near Threatened)
Lesser Flamingo (Near Threatened)
Lesser White-Fronted Goose (Vulnerable)
Little Bustard (Near Threatened)
Long-Billed Bush-Warbler (Near Threatened)
Marbled Duck (Vulnerable)
Oriental Darter (Near Threatened)
Painted Stork (Near Threatened)
Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Endangered)
Pallid Harrier (Near Threatened)
Red-Headed Vulture (Critically Endangered)
Rufous-Vented Prinia (Near Threatened)
Saker Falcon (Endangered)
Sarus Crane (Vulnerable)
Siberian Crane (Critically Endangered)
Sociable Lapwing (Critically Endangered)
Tytler’s Leaf Warbler (Near Threatened)
Western Tragopan Pheasant (Vulnerable)
White-Headed Duck (Endangered)
White-Rumped Vulture (Vulnerable)
Yellow-rumped Honeyguide (Near Threatened)
Banded Eagle Ray (Vulnerable)
Big Eyed Tuna (Vulnerable)
Black-blotched Stingray (Vulnerable)
Bowmouth Guitarfish (Vulnerable)
Clubnose Guitar Fish (Vulnerable)
Brown-marbled Grouper (Near Threatened)
Common Seahorse (Vulnerable)
Coral Catshark (Near Threatened)
Orange Spotted Grouper (Near Threatened)
Flapnose Ray (Vulnerable)
Snaggletooth Shark (Vulnerable)
Grey Bamboo Shark (Near Threatened)
Hammerhead Shark (Endangered)
Hardnose Shark (Near Threatened)
Japanese Devil Ray (Near Threatened)
Knifetooth Sawfish (Endangered)
Longheaded Eagle Ray (Endangered)
Longtail Butterfly Ray (Near Threatened)
Aral Barbel (Vulnerable)
Longcomb Sawfish (Critically Endangered)
Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Vulnerable)
Pondicherry Shark (Critically Endangered)
Porcupine Ray (Vulnerable)
Sharpnose Guitarfish (Vulnerable)
Winghead Shark (Vulnerable)
Smallscaled Grouper (Near Threatened)
Smoothnose Wedgefish (Vulnerable)
Spotted Eagle Ray (Near Threatened)
Whale Shark (Endangered)
Whitecheek Shark (Near Threatened)
Widenose Guitarfish (Vulnerable)
Wild Common Carp (Vulnerable)
Yellowfin Hind (Near Threatened)
Zebra Shark (Endangered)
https://ww.web.pk/2016/list-of-endangered-animals-in-pakistan/
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‘Over 90 species facing extinction’
February 21, 2018
https://www.dawn.com/news/1390769
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Endangered Species Search by Area Selection
http://www.earthsendangered.com/search-regions3.asp?mp=&search=1&sgroup=&ID=277
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Pangolins: Smuggled into extinction
June 29, 2014
https://www.dawn.com/news/1115807
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Pakistan’s endangered sharks
September 19, 2014
https://tribune.com.pk/story/764531/pakistans-endangered-sharks
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15-Ton Prehistoric Shark Captured Off Coast Of Pakistan
2014
https://worldnewsdailyreport.com/15-ton-prehistoric-shark-captured-off-coast-of-pakistan/
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Threats to the ecosystem of Pakistan and endangered species
March 31, 2018
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2018/03/31/threats-ecosystem-pakistan-species/
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Pythons nearing extinction in Pakistan
August 21, 2020
Indian
Rock Pythons are highly misunderstood in Pakistan, their populations
have seen a steep decline over the past decades and unless something is
done, we risk losing this unique species.
https://pk.mashable.com/wildlife-conservation/4743/pythons-nearing-extinction-in-pakistan
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The dying roar: endangered Snow Leopards of Pakistan
Snow leopard is considered as an indicator of health for mountainous ecosystem in region
November 08, 2013
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Pakistan is losing its honey bees to climate change
Rising
temperatures and unseasonal rains are destroying the honey season for
Pakistan’s bees, destroying the livelihoods of local communities
Nov. 26, 2015
https://www.eco-business.com/news/pakistan-is-losing-its-honey-bees-to-climate-change/
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Bats in Northern Mountain Region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
July 4th, 2018
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/60789
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These Unique Animals from Pakistan are On the Brink of Extinction
2018
https://propakistani.pk/2018/02/22/90-unique-pakistani-animals-brink-extinction/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_YDuAB9cTMU8RfaemENHEBmzo8xNKwxYaPEsKUBhfx3o-1631595692-0-gqNtZGzNAqWjcnBszQjR
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In Pakistan, rich city dwellers flaunt their wealth by keeping lions and other ‘exotic’ species as pets, status symbols
2 Jul, 2019
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3016978/pakistan-rich-city-dwellers-flaunt-their-wealth-keeping-lions
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Exclusive: Pakistan’s first ever wildlife policy to curb trafficking of endangered animals through social media
Illegal traders use Facebook pages and groups to buy and sell rare animals
Sep 8, 2018
https://www.samaa.tv/news/2018/09/pakistans-first-ever-wildlife-policy-to-curb-trafficking-of-endangered-animals-through-social-media/
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Feature: Saving Rare Birds of Pakistan
2016
https://nation.com.pk/15-Jul-2016/feature-saving-rare-birds-of-pakistan
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Royals hunt endangered bird in Pakistan despite local opposition
January 03 2018
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/royals-hunt-endangered-bird-in-pakistan-despite-local-opposition-125176
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Aphrodisiac, meat & sport — why Arab royals hunt bustard in Pakistan & why India banned it
Hunting
of Asian houbara bustard, a vulnerable species, is banned in Pakistan,
but is used as something of a foreign policy instrument since Arab
royals are allowed to do so.
13 January, 2021
https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/aphrodisiac-meat-sport-why-arab-royals-hunt-bustard-in-pakistan-why-india-banned-it/584173/
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Pakistan urged to ban Arab sheikhs from hunting endangered birds
2014
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/04/pakistan-ban-arab-sheikhs-hunting-houbara-bustard
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Trophy Hunters are Paying Insane Fees to Hunt Endangered National Animal of Pakistan
2019
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/trophy-hunters-are-paying-insane-fees-to-hunt-endangered-national-animal-of-pakistan/
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Texas businessman pays $110K to kill rare mountain goat in Pakistan
Feb. 13, 2019
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/texas-businessman-pays-110k-kill-rare-mountain-goat-n971181
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Protect
Endangered Dolphins, End Stray Dog Cull in Pakistan, and Ban Elephant
Trophy Hunt Imports: 10 Petitions to Sign this Week to Help People,
Animals and the Planet!
2020
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/human-interest/protect-endangered-dolphins-end-dog-cull-in-pakistan-ban-elephant-hunt-imports-petitions-to-sign-this-week/
____________
Endangered Species Search By Area Selection
http://www.earthsendangered.com/search-regions3.asp?mp=&search=1&sgroup=&ID=277
____________
EXTINCTION OF WILDLIFE SPECIES IN PAKISTAN
January 22, 2019
https://dailytimes.com.pk/346849/extinction-of-wildlife-species-in-pakistan/
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Category: Extinct animals of Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Extinct_animals_of_Pakistan
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
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Section 7: Air Pollution
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
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One Environmental Issue Facing Pakistan, India And Bangladesh
https://paperap.com/paper-on-essay-environment-south-southeast-asia/
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Methane emission worrying Bangladesh
May 20th, 2021
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2021/05/20/bangladesh-to-test-methane-emissions-from-6-sources
The
government will test methane emissions from 6 sources, following a
recent report that revealed Matuail landfill emits four tons of methane
into the atmosphere every hour
A technical committee formed
by the government is going to measure methane emissions from six major
sources across the country in the wake of concern raised by a Canadian
green group.
Methane’s impact on the atmospheric temperature is
80 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. It is a major driver of
global warming.
The six sources shortlisted by the committee are
Matuail Landfill, the waste dumping grounds in Dhaka’s Aminbazar and
Naraynaganj, Tejgaon Industrial Area, the sewage treatment plant in
Narayanganj, and the croplands across the country.
The samples
will be tested at the laboratories of Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (Buet), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (BCSIR) and Dhaka University...
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Pakistan - Energy related methane emissions as a share of total emissions
In
2008, energy related methane emissions for Pakistan was 12.1 %. Though
Pakistan energy related methane emissions fluctuated substantially in
recent years, it tended to increase through 1989 - 2008 period ending at
12.1 % in 2008.
https://knoema.com/atlas/Pakistan/topics/Environment/Emissions/Energy-related-methane-emissions
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Methane (CH4) emissions from agriculture in Pakistan from 2005 to 2014 (in million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent)
Oct 10, 2014
https://www.statista.com/statistics/700770/pakistan-methane-ch4-emissions-from-agriculture/
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Sectoral assessment of greenhouse gas emissions in Pakistan
03 October 2017
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-017-0354-y
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11 million premature deaths linked to air pollution in Pakistan
March 21, 2018
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/294913-11-million-premature-deaths-linked-to-air-pollution-in-pakistan
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Gasping for Air: Here’s How Major Pakistani Cities Rank for Air Pollution
Jan 24, 2017
https://propakistani.pk/2017/01/24/gasping-air-heres-major-pakistani-cities-rank-air-pollution/
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Faisalabad, Lahore surpass Delhi as most polluted cities
November 14, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1590269
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Air Quality Assessment of Faisalabad and Gujranwala Cities of Pakistan: Application of Pollution Indices
2015
____________
Pakistan blames India for cross-border pollution
Nov 03, 2017
____________
Pakistan Blames India for Its Air Pollution. Its Citizens Disagree.
Nov. 22, 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/world/asia/pakistan-lahore-air-pollution.html
____________
Multan Dust storms
https://pakistanweatherportal.com/category/multan-dust-storms/
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Pakistan's drinkers of the dust
July 23, 2010
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/pakistans-drinkers-of-the-dust/article1387742/
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'Maybe the smog can bring us together': toxic air chokes Pakistan and India
17 Nov 2017
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Toxic smog thickens, hits normal life in India, Pakistan
08 November, 2017
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Anthropogenic Effects of Coal Mining on Ecological Resources of the Central Indus Basin, Pakistan
2020
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32075289/
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Huge Pakistan Mine Shows the Power of Coal
2019
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Transboundary air pollution from coal-fired power generation
2020
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479720307921
____________
Pakistan’s urban air pollution off the charts: World Bank
July 14, 2014
https://www.dawn.com/news/1119031
____________
Why is Pakistan opening up new coal power plants, even as the world says goodbye to coal?
June 24, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1490134
____________
Study raises questions about environmental impact of Thar coal
May 30, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1560255
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Opinion: Is Pakistan really phasing out coal?
January 18, 2021
Prime
Minister Imran Khan’s coal moratorium announcement gains plaudits but
the lack of reaction from investors in coal plants, mainly Chinese,
raises troubling questions of the way forward
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/energy/opinion-is-pakistan-really-phasing-out-coal/
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Pakistan gears up to adopt lower emission producing fuel
Aug 24, 2020
https://www.samaa.tv/money/2020/08/pakistan-pollution-lower-emission-fuel/
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Pollution-eating car shown off at Goodwood Festival
July 12, 2021
https://fm100pakistan.com/2021/07/12/pollution-eating-car-shown-off-at-goodwood-festival/
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Pakistan Targets Pollution with New Electric Vehicle Policy
November 6, 2020
https://tntribune.com/pakistan-targets-pollution-with-new-electric-vehicle-policy/
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The developing world faces a silent killer. Could a $1 solar light help?
Mar 2016
A
Philippine social enterprise is bringing cheap solar lighting to more
than 20 countries helping improve safety, reduce air pollution and cut
energy costs
https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/mar/01/silent-killer-kerosene-air-pollution-solar-liter-of-light-india-pakistan-philippines
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Pakistan’s energy crisis could topple government, warns expert
March 4, 2015
Pakistan’s
massive energy shortfall could bring down the government, as key coal
and hydropower projects stall from lack of investment and renewable
energy remains underdeveloped
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/energy/pakistans-energy-crisis-could-topple-government-warns-expert/
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Energy shortages force Pakistanis to scavenge for wood, threatening tree canopy
2014
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/energy-shortages-force-pakistanis-to-scavenge-for-wood-threatening-tree-canopy/2014/02/01/18c2107e-86a3-11e3-833c-33098f9e5267_story.html
____________
Karachi remains on top in air pollution in Pakistan
January 6, 2021
https://arynews.tv/karachi-remains-top-air-pollution-pakistan/
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Unveiling the asymmetric impact of energy consumption on environmental mitigation in the manufacturing sector of Pakistan
27 July 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-14955-7
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Oil refinery to be set up in place of Gadani coal power project
November 24, 2016
QUETTA:
The federal government has decided to establish a new oil refinery on
the land allotted for the 6,600-megawatt coal-based Gadani Power Park
Project.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1298215
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(Ops/ maritime pollution) PAKISTAN- Man behind oil spill at Mubarak village ‘identified’
18 December 2018
http://crfimmadagascar.org/en/incidents-maritimes/ops-pollution-maritime-pakistan-un-deversement-de-petrole-fait-des-ravages-sur-lile-charna-pres-de-moubarak-lhomme-a-lorigine-de-la-maree-noire-est-identifie/
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Review of GHG emissions in Pakistan compared to SAARC countries
2017
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1364032117305257
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Pakistan Suspends Brick Kilns to Curb Pollution Ahead of Smog Season
October 19, 2018
"Closure will have an economic impact — but the continued operation has an environmental impact."
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — To combat worsening smog, Pakistan's government has ordered all traditional brick kilns closed for 70 days starting Saturday, as it promotes new cleaner kilns that could cut pollution up to 70%.
But the measure has produced an outcry both from kiln owners, who want incentives to make the switch, and from kiln workers who fear losing income.
"How I will provide food to my three children during closure of the kilns?" asked Sumaira Bibi, 35, who with her 60-year-old husband frames up 1,200 bricks a day for a kiln near Islamabad, earning about $8.
Under the government order, all traditional kilns must shut from October 20 until December 31 to cut smog that has blighted parts of Punjab province, and other areas of the country, in recent years.
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/pollution-pakistan-bricks/?template=next
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Health risk assessment of emissions from brick kilns in Tando Hyder, Sindh, Pakistan using the AERMOD dispersion model
26 June 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42452-020-3089-1
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The silent killer
January 02, 2021
With the new vaccines coming in, the Covid-19 crisis will fade with time but air pollution is here to stay
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2278325/the-silent-killer
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Why Pakistan needs to deal with air pollution on an emergency footing
20 Dec, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1521879
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Pakistan moves to curb urban air pollution after high court ruling
April 30, 2018
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-airpollution-court-idUSKBN1I11B5
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Industrial Air Emission Pollution: Potential Sources and Sustainable Mitigation
January 7th 2021
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/72766
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Pollution hotspots and potential impacts on land use in the Mohmand Marble Zone, Pakistan
07 May 2021
Abstract
Marble Processing Plants (MPP) are included in the list of
environmentally unfriendly units since they generate a large amount of
waste as sawdust, marble debris, and sludge. The produced waste causes
environmental problems for the flora and fauna both aquatic and
terrestrial environments. This paper is based on a geospatial survey
modeling, where pollution hotspots are identified through geospatial
proximity analysis. Substance Flow Analysis (SFA) quantitatively
examines the material inputs and outputs of MPP products. The
integration of the quantitative assessment and geospatial survey
presents a conclusive model of the MPPs in proximity to different
land-use classes including agriculture, water bodies, settlement, and
barren land. Due to the presence of massive marble reserves in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, the area is passing through a worst ecological
implication phase. The marble-processing plants generate huge quantity
of waste as marble stone in irregular pieces and slurry. More than 150
marble-processing plants in the study area are contributing to such
environmental damages in different forms. Currently, no proper
management system exists to handle this discharged/dumped marble waste.
The study describes the pollution hotspots and their potential impacts
on different segments of the environment. This approach can be used
worldwide in environmental monitoring and planning, as a decision
support tool.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12665-021-09677-5
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Karachi’s air pollution levels may worsen, warn experts
December 14, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1595631
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Breathing in poison – Lahore’s growing air pollution problem
8 Dec 2016
Toxic
smog in Pakistan’s second largest city risks the health of its
residents, but the government is failing to address the issue
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/dec/08/breathing-in-poison-lahores-growing-air-pollution-problem
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Pakistan's Lahore becomes world's 3rd most polluted city
November 23, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pakistans-lahore-becomes-worlds-3rd-most-polluted-city/2021/11/23/4bac278a-4c76-11ec-a7b8-9ed28bf23929_story.html
____________
As Lahore chokes on winter smog, Pakistan moves to cut air pollution
2019
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1431756/pakistan
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Pakistan’s own pollution causes smog, say experts
November 1, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1514116
LAHORE:
As Lahore’s smog levels crossed 550 on the Air Quality Index —
signified as hazardous — environmental experts and activists both
express their dismay and horror at what is to unfold further.
According
to some instruments installed in Lahore, the Gulberg area even recorded
600 AQI. The last level of ‘hazardous’ on the AQI is shown as between
250 to 300 which necessitates the people with heart and lung diseases,
older adults and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels
low. All outdoor physical activity must be avoided, says the index.
Imran
Khalid, who holds a PhD in Environmental Policy, says that in cooler
weather (autumn and winter), the warm air does not allow the cooler air
underneath to rise which leads to visible smog and this is what is being
witnessed in Lahore and even as far as Islamabad.
“Some of the
sources for this smog include vehicular pollution with very poor fuel
quality being used along with lack of pollution control technologies in
our vehicles, industrial pollution, burning of municipal and even
industrial waste and brick kilns which again use dirty fuel such as
rubber tyres,” says Khalid who also heads the Environment and Climate
Change Department at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute,
Islamabad.
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Pakistan’s Rising Air Pollution Crisis
September 01, 2018
As Pakistan’s air gets worse and society demands action, how will the new government respond?
https://thediplomat.com/2018/08/pakistans-rising-air-pollution-crisis/
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Measurements and analysis of air quality in Islamabad, Pakistan
10 March 2014
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2013EF000174
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Trans boundary air pollution which is also impacting
2019
https://www.coursehero.com/file/p7e3lv3a/Trans-boundary-air-pollution-which-is-also-impacting-some-areas-of-Pakistan-as/
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Air pollution shortens Pakistanis lives by two years: AQLI reports
March 6, 2019
https://dailytimes.com.pk/361867/air-pollution-shortens-pakistanis-lives-by-two-years-aqli-reports/
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Pakistan has second-most polluted air in the world based on population density in cities
Feb 25 2020
____________
Pollution crisis across several cities in Pakistan as air quality exceeds ‘hazardous’ levels
19/11/2019
____________
Schools in three cities shut today as smog hits Punjab
November 22, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1518159
____________
Pakistan moves to curb urban air pollution after high court ruling
30 April 2018
https://news.trust.org/item/20180430131322-szmdo/
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State of air quality in twin cities of Pakistan: Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Dec 31, 2018
https://www.revistascca.unam.mx/atm/index.php/atm/article/view/ATM.2019.32.01.06
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Investigating correlations between illness and defensive behaviour approach: A case of twin cities of Pakistan
2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021014304
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Islamabad 7th most polluted city of Pakistan
September 10, 2020
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/712668-islamabad-7th-most-polluted-city-of-pakistan
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Pakistan 2nd most polluted country
October 16, 2020
Climate change ministry has drafted new clean air programme
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2268579/pakistan-2nd-most-polluted-country
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Pakistan Ranked World’s Second Most Polluted Country — IQAir Study
17-3-2021
https://whenwherehow.pk/2021/03/17/pakistan-ranked-worlds-second-most-polluted-country-iqair-study/
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Pakistan ranked as second-most polluted country in world
May 17, 2021
https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/pakistan-ranked-as-second-most-polluted-country-in-world20210317025240/
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Fighting Pollution in Pakistan: The Crisis Is Pressing
July 11, 2020
http://aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20Editorials/2021/July/11%20o/Fighting%20Pollution%20in%20Pakistan,%20The%20Crisis%20Is%20Pressing%20By%20Homer%20Jan%20Baloch.htm
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Pollution in Pakistan
https://www.numbeo.com/pollution/country_result.jsp?country=Pakistan
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11,000 people lost lives due to air pollution in Chennai, report says; worrying numbers in other cities too
Feb 21, 2021
https://www.timesnownews.com/chennai/article/11000-people-lost-lives-due-to-air-pollution-in-chennai-report-says-worrying-numbers-in-other-cities-too/723029
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Cleaner air for Punjab
24/01/2021
https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/regional-government-pakistans-most-populous-province-taking-steps-reduce-air-pollution
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Assessment of Air Pollution by PM10 and PM2.5 in Nawabshah City, Sindh, Pakistan
2019
https://etasr.com/index.php/ETASR/article/view/2440
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Smog: A transboundary issue and its implications in India and Pakistan
January 2019
https://www.think-asia.org/handle/11540/9584
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India’s noxious emissions are messing up neighbours’ air, too
September 9, 2019
https://qz.com/india/1705179/indias-pollution-hurting-pakistan-bangladesh-nepal-sri-lanka/
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Air pollution becomes Afghanistan’s silent killer
January 14, 2019
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1435541/world
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In advance, satellites reveal hidden hot spots of ammonia pollution
Dec. 6, 2018
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/12/advance-satellites-reveal-hidden-hot-spots-ammonia-pollution
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Seasonal Variations of Aerosols in Pakistan: Contributions of Domestic
Anthropogenic Emissions and Transboundary Transport
2015
http://159.226.119.84/Zeeshan2015.pdf
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Insight
into monsoon for shaping the air quality of Islamabad, Pakistan:
Comparing the magnitude of health risk associated with PM 10 and PM 2.5
exposure
2020 Oct 19
Abstract
Monsoon plays a determinant role in defining the air quality of many Asian countries. Filter-based 24 h ambient PM10 and PM2.5
sampling was performed by using two paralleled medium volume air
samplers during pre-and post-monsoon periods. A negligible change in PM2.5 mass concentration from 45.77 to 44.46 µg/m3 compared to PM10 from 74.34 to 142.49 µg/m3
was observed after the monsoon season. The air quality index (AQI)
results showed that the air quality of the city retained from good to
slightly polluted in both periods, where PM2.5 remained as
the main detrimental to air quality in 95% of the total days. The NOAA
HYSPLIT model analysis and wind rose patterns showed air trajectories,
especially in post-monsoon originated from relatively polluted areas
transported higher PM10. Meteorological attributes indicated a
more conducive atmospheric condition for secondary pollution in the
pre-monsoon. Evidence showed post-monsoon as a more polluted period,
compared to the pre-monsoon and would pose an extra 1.07 × 10-3 lifetime risk to the local population. Similarly, a higher level of PM10
in the post-monsoon caused 43% more premature mortality and 41% more
deaths from all-cause mortality compare to the pre-monsoon period,
respectively. Implications: Pakistan is an under-developing country where pollution monitoring studies are decidedly limited. Notably, studies, concise PM2.5
and health assessment are deficient. The present study may contribute
to evaluating the air quality in special events such as monsoon and can
also provide scientific and technical support for subsequent air
pollution research. Moreover, the results help to develop adequate
prevention and pollution control strategies and offer policy suggestions
for monsoon observing countries in general and in particular, in
Islamabad, Pakistan. These findings provide essential arguments in favor
of educating people and raising awareness about the detrimental health
effects of air pollution. Improving the quality of life of people with
cardiovascular and respiratory disorders requires an immediate and
substantial reduction of air pollution.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32841106/
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Asymmetric effects of premature deagriculturalization on economic growth and CO2 emissions: fresh evidence from Pakistan
08 July 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-15077-w
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Pakistan CO2 Emissions
https://www.worldometers.info/co2-emissions/pakistan-co2-emissions/
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What can we learn about air pollution and lockdown from Pakistan?
13/11/2020
https://www.euronews.com/green/2020/11/13/what-can-we-learn-about-air-pollution-and-lockdown-from-pakistan
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The Growing Problem of Air Pollution in Pakistan
15/01/2017
The
massive amount of air pollution created by stone crushing machines is a
major health hazard for mountain communities from where the stone is
mined.
https://science.thewire.in/environment/growing-problem-pollution-pakistan/
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Industrial pollution in Pakistan
January 7, 2019
https://nation.com.pk/07-Jan-2019/industrial-pollution-in-pakistan
____________
Alarming increase in industrial pollution
January 22, 2007
https://www.dawn.com/news/229077/alarming-increase-in-industrial-pollution
____________
Environmental issues in textile industry of pakistan
Dec. 06, 2015
https://www.slideshare.net/SohailAD/environmental-issues-in-textile-industry-of-pakistan
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BRIEF OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS-PAKISTAN SCENARIO
http://www.environment.gov.pk/images/environmentalissues/EnvironmentalConcernsPakistanScenario.pdf
____________
Environment of Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_of_Pakistan
____________
Environmental issues in Pakistan
Trash thrown in an empty plot in Karachi, Pakistan.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Pakistan
____________
Environmental issues in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Pakistan#Pollution
Pollution
The
World Bank report in 2013 stated that Pakistan's top environmental
issues include air pollution, inadequate supply of uncontaminated
drinking water, noise pollution and the health deterioration of urban
and rural populations due to pollution. These environmental concerns not
only harm Pakistani citizens but also pose a serious threat to the
country's economy. The report also stated that the increase in
industrialization, urbanization and motorization will inevitably worsen
this problem.
Water pollution
Main article: Water supply and sanitation in Pakistan
Pakistan
is classified as a water stressed nation by the World Bank. There are
seven main rivers that enter Pakistan from upper riparian states,
including the Kabul River that enters from Afghanistan, and the Indus
River, Jhelum River, Chenab River, Ravi River, and Sutlej River that
enter from India. Among these, the Ravi and Sutlej are diverted in
upstream India, for which consumptive use was awarded to India under the
Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 by India and Pakistan. Canal
networks from the Indus (main stem), Jhelum River, and Chenab River
supply water throughout the agricultural plains in Punjab and in Sindh,
while the rest of the country has very little access to other fresh
water. Potential scarcity of water not only threatens Pakistan's economy
but also poses a serious threat to the lives of millions of Pakistanis.
Lower
flows due to the Indus Waters Treaty, as well as diversion to canals,
means that lower dilution flows are available within the rivers of
Pakistan. On the other hand, water pollution generation is increasing
largely due to the growing economy and population, and an almost
complete lack of water treatment. The sources for water pollution
include the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the dumping
of industrial effluent into lakes and rivers, untreated sewage being
dumped into rivers and the ocean, and contaminated pipelines being used
to transport water. The contamination of fresh drinking water makes it
harder for people to find clean water supplies and increases the
prevalence of waterborne diseases. Consequently, most of the reported
health problems in Pakistan are either a direct or indirect result of
polluted water. 45% of infant deaths are due to diarrhea and 60% to
overall waterborne diseases.
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Environmental issues in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_Pakistan#Air_pollution
Air pollution
Air
pollution is a growing environmental problem in most major cities of
Pakistan. According to a World Bank report, "Karachi's urban air
pollution is among the most severe in the world and it engenders
significant damages to human health and the economy". The inefficient
use of energy, an increase in the number of vehicles used daily, an
increase in unregulated industrial emissions and the burning of garbage
and plastic have contributed the most to air pollution in urban areas.
According to a recent study, the Sindh Environment Protection Department
claims that the average level of pollution in big cities is
approximately four times higher than the World Health Organisation's
limits. These emissions have detrimental effects, including "respiratory
diseases, reduced visibility, loss of vegetation and an effect on the
growth of plants".
One of the greatest contributors to air
pollution is industrial activity. The inadequate air emission treatments
and lack of regulatory control over industrial activity has contributed
to the deterioration of ambient air quality in major cities. In
addition, the common practice of burning massive amounts of solid waste,
including plastic and rubber, on street corners by the public, releases
toxic gases, which are extremely harmful for residents in the area.
In
2018, a young entrepreneur in Karachi, Abid Omar, launched the Pakistan
Air Quality Initiative to monitor air quality in Pakistan's big cities.
The project aims to increase the availability of air quality data in
Pakistan and make citizens more aware of the health impacts of air
pollution. The US State Department has set up three high-quality air
quality monitoring stations at three locations in Pakistan.
Specifically,
studies have revealed the negative consequences air pollution can have
on the welfare of those impacted. Studies have revealed how the constant
fluctuation of particulate matter poses a major threat to Pakistan's
citizens who are frequently exposes to harmful levels of air pollution.
Suspended Particulate Matter, which has been linked to respiratory
illnesses has been found in harmful quantities in Pakistan's major urban
areas. Some strategies that can be used to effectively manage
Pakistan's urban air pollution problems include the advancements to road
design and improvement of transport sustainability, increased use of
abatement policy by the Pakistani government, and a conversion to clean
fuel energy alternatives like CNG.
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Environmental Issues of Pakistan
http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-compulsory-subjects/essay/essays/47900-environmental-issues-pakistan.html
____________
The environmental issues in Pakistan
https://thefrontierpost.com/the-environmental-issues-in-pakistan/
____________
Environmental degradation in Pakistan
March 2, 2014
https://dailytimes.com.pk/105630/environmental-degradation-in-pakistan/
____________
Urbanisation and environmental degradation in Pakistan.
Dec 22, 1993
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Urbanisation+and+environmental+degradation+in+Pakistan.-a0182336632
____________
Noise pollution in Pakistan
March 16, 2017
https://dailythepatriot.com/noise-pollution-in-pakistan/
____________
Enviromental issues in pakistan
Nov. 06, 2014
https://www.slideshare.net/liaquatrahoo23/enviromental-issues-in-pakistan
____________
Environmental Issues in Pakistan
2012
1. Safe Drinking Water:
2. Air Pollution:
3. Freshwater Pollution
4. Marine Pollution
Natural disasters
5. Climate change
6. Energy
7. Deforestation:
http://jworldtimes.com/others/general/environmental-issues-in-pakistan/
____________
Environmental Issues In Pakistan and Solutions
Jul 9, 2021
https://www.rotarticles.com/2021/07/environmental-issues-in-pakistan-and-solutions.html
____________
Pakistan’s Enormous Environmental Challenges
February 28, 2014
https://www.sharnoffsglobalviews.com/environmental-challenges-pakistan-220/
____________
Environmental Problems In Pakistan And Their Solutions
August 10, 2015
https://sekho.com.pk/pakistan/environmental-problems-in-pakistan-and-their-solutions/
____________
What are the Biggest Environmental Issues in Pakistan and How to Solve Them?
https://www.zameen.com/blog/tips-solve-environmental-issues-pakistan.html
____________
List of All Problems of Pakistan
Most Important Problems
1. Terrorism/Sovereignty Violation
2. Religious Intolerance
3. Water Shortage
4. Inflation
5. Rampant Corruption
6. Provincial Disharmony
7. Devalued Currency
8. Unemployment
9. Low Education
10.Weak Foreign Policy
Other Problems
Imbalance between the "Three Tiers of State"
Lack of education
Lack of science and technology
Corrupt inefficient police
No consensus on building dams
Lack of sanitation (no toilets)
Food Crisis
Low Jobs
Brian Drain
highest murder rates in the world
Ethnic hatred
Sectarian hatred
Lack of investment
Lack of unity
Liberation movement in Baluchistan
Kashmir Issue
Declining FDI's
Water Disputes with India
Energy Crisis
Feudalism
Rising divorce rate
Lack of health care
Drug Abuse in teengers
Land grabbing Mafia
Illegal wepons
Low forex reserves
Traffic chaos
Water Air and Noise Pollution
Population explosion
Media Ethic
high rate of infant mortality
Suicide bombings
Low tax collection by government
Tax evasion - 90%+ of the people don't pay any taxes
Very high tax rate for those who do pay taxes
Availability of heavy weaponry to criminals
Lack of clean drinking water for the majority of the population
Armed and violent gangs in Karachi, including Lyari and Sohrab Goth
Large areas of the country where the writ of the state does not apply
Fake Pirs
The tendency for people to vote for corrupt, failed, treacherous politicians
Abuse of women in the society
Awful built quality of roads, bridges and other infrastructure
Spread of Indian culture via film and television
Spread of Western culture via film and television
Lack of hospitals, clinics, doctors etc, especially in rural areas
Mixing of junk into food products by unscrupulous people
Capital flight - everyone who can sending their money abroad
____________
Environmental issues in Pakistan
https://wiki2.org/en/Environmental_issues_in_Pakistan
____________
Pakistan Weather, Climate and Geography
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/asia/pakistan/weather-climate-geography/
____________
Geography of Pakistan Paper I
2008
https://www.coursehero.com/file/p4bobllk/The-high-concentration-of-salinity-in-the-soil-of-Pakistan-is-mostly-due-to-A/
____________
Climate of Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Pakistan
____________
Pakistan termed most vulnerable to pollution
October 23, 2010
Participants at two day international conference urge developed nations to play their part.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/66817/why-cant-i-see-national-isb
____________
Urbanisation and environmental degradation in Pakistan.
Dec 22, 1993
https://www.ircwash.org/resources/environmental-profile-north-west-frontier-province-pakistan
____________
Environment Degradation Cause by Urbanization in Pakistan: A Review
2014
https://www.academia.edu/9679588/Environment_Degradation_Cause_by_Urbanization_in_Pakistan_A_Review
____________
Bioaccumulation of Toxic Metals in Children Exposed to Urban Pollution and to Cement Plant Emissions.
25 Jun 2021
Abstract
Cement plants located in urban areas can increase health risk. Although
children are particularly vulnerable, biomonitoring studies are lacking.
Toenail concentration of 24 metals was measured in 366 children
(6-10 years), who live and attend school in a city hosting a cement
plant. Living addresses and schools were geocoded and attributed to
exposed or control areas, according to modeled ground concentrations of
PM10 generated by the cement plant. Air levels of PM10 and NO2 were monitored. PM10 levels were higher in the exposed, than in the control area. The highest mean PM10 concentration was recorded close to the cement plant. Conversely, the highest NO2
concentration was in the control area, where vehicular traffic and home
heating were the prevalent sources of pollutants. Exposed children had
higher concentrations of Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), and
Arsenic (As) than controls. These concentrations correlated each other,
indicating a common source. Toenail Barium (Ba) concentration was higher
in the control- than in the exposed area. The location of the attended
school was a predictor of Cd, Hg, Ni, Ba concentrations, after adjusting
for confounders. In conclusion, children living and attending school in
an urban area exposed to cement plant emissions show a chronic
bioaccumulation of toxic metals, and a significant exposure to PM10
pollution. Cement plants located in populous urban areas seem therefore
harmful, and primary prevention policies to protect children health are
needed.
https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8229267
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Cement dust pollution induces toxicity or deficiency of some essential elements in wild plants growing around a cement factory
April 12, 2012
Abstract
In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effects of cement
dust pollution on contents of some significant essential elements (P, S,
K, Ca, Fe and Cl) in wild plants (Medigago varia, Anchusa leptophylla, Euphorbia orientalis, Lactuca serriola, Artemisia spicigera, Crambe orientalis, Convolvulus sepium and Senecio vernalis)
using wavelength-dispersive spectrometer X-ray fluorescence technique.
Plant samples were collected from different locations around a cement
factory which is located at Askale about 50 km from Erzurum (Turkey).
The element contents in the plant specimens that existed in both 0–100 m
(dense dusted) and 2000 m (undusted) areas were compared. P, S, K and
Cl contents were found to be high in the plants growing in areas 0–100 m
from the cement factory, compared to same plants at 2000 m far from the
factory. However, Ca and Fe contents were determined to be low in
plants growing in 0–100 m area from the factory. Results of the study
can contribute to understand how mineral deficiency and toxicity lead to
detrimental effects on plant growth and development in the fields
contaminated by cement dust.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0748233712442727
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Evaluation of algae from the effluent of Dandot Cement Company, Dandot, Pakistan
2005
https://www.academia.edu/2980683/Evaluation_of_algae_from_the_effluent_of_Dandot_Cement_Company_Dandot_Pakistan
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Pakistan Cement Factory asked to control pollution
15 August 2008
https://www.cemnet.com/News/story/135958/pakistan-cement-factory-asked-to-control-pollution.html
The
Punjab Environmental Protection Agency has directed a cement factory in
Chakwal district to take remedial measures or stop pollution causing
activities in the close vicinity of lush green Kalar Kahar.
The
EPA Punjab has issued Environmental Protection Order to Pakistan Cement
Factory, directing the management to take steps to control pollution
within 30 days for avoiding proceedings under the relevant sections of
Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.
The EPA Punjab has
directed the factory management to control indiscriminate disposal of
wastewater and treat it in conformity with the NEQS, restrain from
diverting storm water to the agriculture field and water ponds, control
dust and gaseous emissions generated during abnormal plant conditions,
adopt remedial measures to control ambient dust level to the
satisfaction of EPA, apply for paying penalty for violation of section
12 of PEPA-1997 as envisaged in section 17 of the act in respect of
cement plant and quarry site separately and maintain record of the times
during which start up and upset conditions occur and shall mention the
total time elapsed in such conditions besides maintaining separate log
book of non operation of pollution control devices on daily basis and
furnish monthly report to the EPA.
____________
Cement factories affect human life in Kahoon Valley
August 8, 2020
The
inhabitants of Kahoon Valley, which was once rich in natural beauty,
are now suffering from various ailments including water crisis.
https://dailytimes.com.pk/651167/cement-factories-affect-human-life-in-kahoon-valley/
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Cement factory in Nooriabad shut down for polluting environment
October 14, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1212879
HYDERABAD/KARACHI:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) got a cement production unit
shut down on Tuesday in Nooriabad for repeated violations of
environmental laws and an undertaking given by the management of the
factory while over 200 other factories in Hyderabad district were sent
warning notices for releasing hazardous discharge...
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Emerging challenges of air pollution and particulate matter in China, India, and Pakistan and mitigating solutions
2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389421008153
____________
China shifts polluting cement to Tajikistan
August 8, 2016
Chinese cement companies are scouring Central Asia for new opportunities as profits dry up at home, writes Dirk van der Kley
https://chinadialogue.net/en/pollution/9174-china-shifts-polluting-cement-to-tajikistan/
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Cement plants being tested for dust pollution
May 13, 2012
‘Factories switch off dust control devices because of power outages, high cost’.
LAHORE:
The
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has collected samples for
testing from three cement factories in Chakwal after receiving
complaints that they were releasing high levels of dust into the
atmosphere.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/378360/cement-plants-being-tested-for-dust-pollution
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How to fight smog, together
December 15, 2019
Trans-boundary collaboration between Pakistan and India on air pollution can save lives
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/582965-how-to-fight-smog-together
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69% rise in Hyderabad’s NO2 levels: Greenpeace report
08th July 2021
Exposure
to NO2 can severely impact people’s health at all ages, including the
respiratory and circulatory systems and the brain, leading to increases
in hospital admissions and mortality.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2021/jul/08/69-rise-in-hyderabads-no2-levels-greenpeace-report-2326973.html
____________
A study of tropospheric NO2 variability over Pakistan using OMI data
2014
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1309104215302798
____________
Concentrations of Road Transport-Related Air Pollutants and It’s Health Implications
of Hyderabad City, Pakistan
2013
http://www.aensiweb.com/old/GJBSM/2013/269-275.pdf
____________
‘Rising pollution escalating asthma prevalence in Pakistan’
May 7, 2015
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/39072-rising-pollution-escalating-asthma-prevalence-in-pakistan
Karachi
About
15 percent population of Pakistan suffers from asthma, who include 10
percent children. The prevalence of pulmonary disorders is rising in the
country due to rapid urbanisation which subsequently gives rise to
environmental pollution.
Pollution levels in almost all major cities
of Pakistan are about 10 times higher than standards of the World Health
Organisation (WHO). Similarly, tobacco smoke pollution in Pakistani
hotels and restaurants is 10 times more than acceptable amounts, which
is also a major risk factor behind rising asthma in Pakistan.
This
was said by Prof. Javed A Khan while addressing a seminar on the subject
on Wednesday, organised by the Chest Health and Education Society in
collaboration with Department of Chest Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate
Medical Centre (JPMC), in connection with World Asthma Day observed
globally on May 5.
Dr Javed Khan, who is the Chairman of National
Alliance for Tobacco Control and a consultant chest physician at the
department of medicine at Aga Khan University, said the role of indoor
and outdoor pollution was one of the major risk factors for Asthma.
On
the occasion, he urged the government to enforce anti-smoking laws,
banning cigarettes and smoking in public places and keeping vehicles
with excessive exhaust fumes off the roads.
Dr Mirza Saifullah Baig
from the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, Dow University of Health
Sciences, said more than 300 million people across the globe suffered
from Asthma.
He said the increase in global prevalence was especially
due to the increase in number of asthma patients in under-developed
countries such as Pakistan.
“This is due to rapid urbanisation,
pollution and thoughtless adoption of Western lifestyles,” he said.
“There is an urgent need for prevalence studies in Pakistan and devising
a strategy.”
Dr Baig also discussed in detail the symptoms of the
disease and factors which made it worse, saying asthma was not
contagious and can be controlled by quality treatment.
Prof Nadeem
Rizvi from the department of chest medicine at JPMC in his presentation
on ‘Asthma beyond prescription’ highlighted that one of the major
reasons for poor asthma control in Pakistan was poor compliance with
medicines.
“There are lots of misconceptions regarding the use of
inhalers,” he said. “The family and the relatives also pay a very
negative role regarding the use of inhalers which are the best way to
take medicine. A very small amount is needed to produce the desirable
effect without any significant side effects.”
Dr Irfan from Aga Khan
in his talk on prevention of asthma said individuals and populations
should reduce exposure levels to common risk factors, including smoking
and environmental tobacco smoke, indoor air pollutants, and should keep
indoor humidity levels low.
In order to avoid asthma, he said,
healthy weight must also be maintained while pets should be kept out of
bedrooms and vacuum cleaning of houses should be done frequently.
He
said diseases of the upper airways, like allergic rhinitis must be
treated and it is better to get rid of dust collectors like heavy
drapes, carpets and stuffed animals, and also advised avoiding
artificial sprays at home.
____________
Potential harmful elements in coal dust and human health risk assessment near the mining areas in Cherat, Pakistan
2018
Abstract
This study was aimed to investigate the potential harmful element (PHE)
concentrations in coal dust and evaluate the human risk assessment and
health effects near coal mining areas. For this purpose, dust samples
were collected near various coal mines in Cherat, Pakistan, and analyzed
for the PHE concentrations. Determined PHE concentrations were
evaluated for the health risk assessment. Results revealed that
ingestion was the major pathway as compared to others for PHE exposure.
Individual chronic daily intake (CDI) of PHEs was higher than their
respective permissible exposure limits set for oral exposure routes by
the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Chronic
risk or health index (HI) values were observed < 1 for all PHEs and
in the order of Pb > Cr > Cd > Ni > Cu > Co > Zn.
Higher HI values of Pb, Cr, and Cd could attribute to various chronic
health problems as observed during the medical examination survey of
this study. Cancer risk (CR) values for this study were observed within
the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits. However, if current
practices continued, the PHEs will cross these limits in a near future.
Therefore, this study strongly recommends the provision of safety
measures, rules, and regulation to avoid health hazards in the future.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29532380/
____________
Pakistan’s mountain communities struggle to breathe from stone-crushing
03/02/2017
https://observers.france24.com/en/20170203-pakistan%E2%80%99-mountain-communities-struggle-breathe-near-stone-crushing-sites
____________
Potential harmful elements in coal dust and human health risk assessment near the mining areas in Cherat, Pakistan
2018 Mar 12
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29532380/
____________
Evaluating
levels and health risk of heavy metals in exposed workers from surgical
instrument manufacturing industries of Sialkot, Pakistan
2016 Jun 3
Abstract
The study aimed to monitor heavy metal (chromium, Cr; cadmium, Cd;
nickel, Ni; copper, Cu; lead, Pb; iron, Fe; manganese, Mn; and zinc, Zn)
footprints in biological matrices (urine, whole blood, saliva, and
hair), as well as in indoor industrial dust samples, and their toxic
effects on oxidative stress and health risks in exposed workers.
Overall, blood, urine, and saliva samples exhibited significantly higher
concentrations of toxic metals in exposed workers (Cr; blood 16.30
μg/L, urine 58.15 μg/L, saliva 5.28 μg/L) than the control samples (Cr;
blood 5.48 μg/L, urine 4.47 μg/L, saliva 2.46 μg/L). Indoor industrial
dust samples also reported to have elevated heavy metal concentrations,
as an example, Cr quantified with concentration of 299 mg/kg of dust,
i.e., more than twice the level of Cr in household dust (136 mg/kg).
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level presented significant positive
correlation (p ≤ 0.01) with Cr, Zn, and Cd (Cr > Zn > Cd) which is
an indication of heavy metal's associated raised oxidative stress in
exposed workers. Elevated average daily intake (ADI) of heavy metals
resulted in cumulative hazard quotient (HQ) range of 2.97-18.88 in
workers of different surgical units; this is an alarming situation of
health risk implications. Principal component analysis-multiple linear
regression (PCA-MLR)-based pie charts represent that polishing and
cutting sections exhibited highest metal inputs to the biological and
environmental matrices than other sources. Heavy metal concentrations in
biological matrices and dust samples showed a significant positive
correlation between Cr in dust, urine, and saliva samples. Current study
will help to generate comprehensive base line data of heavy metal
status in biomatrices and dust from scientifically ignored industrial
sector. Our findings can play vital role for health departments and
industrial environmental management system (EMS) authorities in policy
making and implementation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27255322/
____________
Industrial hygiene, occupational safety and respiratory symptoms in the Pakistani cotton industry
2014
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25838509/
____________
Pakistan probes link between soybean dust and deaths in port city of Karachi
February 19, 2020
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-gas-leak-idUSKBN20D0NF
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Soybean Dust, Not Toxic Gas, Suspected In Deaths Of 14 In Pakistan
February 20, 2020
https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-suspects-soybean-dust-not-toxic-gas-karachi/30444559.html
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Mystery gas leak death toll doubles amid blame game
February 19, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1535364
____________
Evaluation
of inorganic contaminants emitted from automobiles and dynamics in
soil, dust, and vegetations from major highways in Pakistan
06 June 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-020-09198-x
____________
Toxic metals in the atmosphere in Lahore, Pakistan
2010
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20080284/
____________
Spatial distribution of dust–bound trace elements in Pakistan and their implications for human exposure
2016
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026974911630121X
____________
Characterizing
pollution indices and children health risk assessment of potentially
toxic metal(oid)s in school dust of Lahore, Pakistan
2019 Dec 11
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31837569/
____________
The toxic clouds of Lahore
Oct 31 2017
https://www.geo.tv/latest/165286-the-toxic-clouds-of-lahore
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Amid 'air apocalypse', mask-clad Lahore looks for answers
November 29, 2019
LAHORE,
Pakistan (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - When black smoke from burning
rice stubble in nearby India swept into Lahore - one of Pakistan’s
largest and wealthiest cities - earlier this month, outraged residents
declared an “air apocalypse” and the provincial government shut down
schools...
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-pollution-idUSKBN1Y30UI
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Smog Control Room Set Up in Lahore to Monitor Air Pollution
November 11, 2020
https://www.newsweekpakistan.com/smog-control-room-set-up-in-lahore-to-monitor-air-pollution/
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Schools remain closed in smog-hit Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad today
22 November, 2019
____________
Air Pollution in Pakistan Causes And Effects And Their Solutions
February 6, 2018
____________
As Residents of Lahore Choke on Air Pollution, Pakistani Officials Dawdle
02.26.2018
Air pollution in Pakistan’s second-largest city is a real public health risk, but officials are doing little to help.
https://undark.org/2018/02/26/pakistan-lahore-air-pollution/
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Faisalabad, Lahore surpass Delhi as most polluted cities
November 14, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1590269
____________
Blood pressure and particulate air pollution in schoolchildren of Lahore, Pakistan
25 May 2012
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-12-378
Abstract
Background
Air
pollution is a growing health problem for urban populations in emerging
economies. The present study examines the (cross-sectional) relation
between blood pressure and particulate air pollution in schoolchildren
of Lahore (Pakistan).
Methods
We recruited a sample of
8–12 year-old children (mean age 9.9 years; 45% girls) from two schools
in Lahore situated in areas with low (n = 79) and high (n = 100) air
pollution, respectively. During the study period (January-April 2009)
particulate pollution [PM10 and PM2.5 i.e. particles with aerodynamic
diameters below 10 μm or 2.5 μm, respectively] was measured at the
school sites with a laser operated device (Metone Aerocet 531). Blood
pressure was measured, after 5 minutes of sitting rest, using an
automated device (average of 5 consecutive measurements). Spot urine
samples were also collected and concentrations of Na and K were
measured.
Results
Mean daily values of PM2.5 were
28.5 μg/m3 (SD: 10.3) and 183 μg/m3 (SD: 30.2), in the low and high
pollution areas, respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure
were significantly higher in children living in the high pollution area
(115.9/70.9 mm Hg) than in the low pollution area (108.3/66.4 mm Hg),
independently of age, gender, height, weight, socio-economic status,
passive smoking and the urinary concentrations of Na, K, and creatinine.
Conclusions
In
8–12 year-old children, exposure to (traffic-related) air pollution was
associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These
findings, if they persist, might have clinical relevance at older age.
____________
Pall of toxic air hangs over Karachi
February 17, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1464222
____________
Spatial distribution of dust–bound trace elements in Pakistan and their implications for human exposure
2016
Abstract
This study aims to assess the spatial patterns of selected dust-borne
trace elements alongside the river Indus Pakistan, their relation with
anthropogenic and natural sources, and the potential risk posed to human
health. The studied elements were found in descending concentrations:
Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, and Cd. The Index of Geo-accumulation
indicated that pollution of trace metals were higher in lower Indus
plains than on mountain areas. In general, the toxic elements Cr, Mn, Co
and Ni exhibited altitudinal trends (P < 0.05).
The few exceptions to this trend were the higher values for all studied
elements from the northern wet mountainous zone (low lying Himalaya).
Spatial PCA/FA highlighted that the sources of different trace elements
were zone specific, thus pointing to both geological influences and
anthropogenic activities. The Hazard Index for Co and for Mn in children
exceeded the value of 1 only in the riverine delta zone and in the
southern low lying zone, whereas the Hazard Index for Pb was above the
bench mark for both children and adults (with few exceptions) in all
regions, thus indicating potential non-carcinogenic health risks. These
results will contribute towards the environmental management of trace
metal(s) with potential risk for human health throughout Pakistan.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026974911630121X
____________
Characterizing
pollution indices and children health risk assessment of potentially
toxic metal(oid)s in school dust of Lahore, Pakistan
2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31837569/
____________
Evaluation
of inorganic contaminants emitted from automobiles and dynamics in
soil, dust, and vegetations from major highways in Pakistan
June 6, 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-020-09198-x
____________
Toxic Air Linked to Long-Term Damage for Deployed Troops
July 20, 2011
Report finds burn pits, dust storms among exposures for deadly lung disease.
Scott
Weakley, 47, of Denver already had three deployments under his belt
when he was sent on back-to-back missions in Pakistan, Afghanistan and
Iraq that started in 2004.
Weakley, a marathon runner, was in
peak shape, and said he was physically charged for the work ahead. But
within five years, Weakley transformed from the lead runner in his
battalion to a patient who may now need a lung transplant.
Weakley
was diagnosed with constrictive bronchiolitis, a relatively rare
irreversible lung condition marked by inflammation and scarring in the
airways.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/toxic-air-long-term-health-risk-deployed-troops/story?id=14119629
____________
Delhi schools shut as toxic smog hits India and Pakistan
November 8, 2017
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/schools-shut-toxic-smog-hits-delhi-083938779.html
____________
India, Pakistan choke on their smog. Can they clear the air?
March 29, 2021
The world’s deadliest air is a crisis that could help South Asia’s rivals build peace.
https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/03/india-pakistan-choke-their-smog-can-they-clear-air
____________
Toxic smog thickens, hits normal life in India, Pakistan
2017
https://english.alarabiya.net/perspective/features/2017/11/08/Toxic-smog-thickens-hits-normal-life-in-India-Pakistan
____________
Pakistan's drinkers of the dust
July 23, 2010
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/pakistans-drinkers-of-the-dust/article1387742/
____________
Karachi court summons police officer over action taken about Keamari toxic gas leak
March 2, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1537880
____________
Pakistan probes link between soybean dust and deaths in port city of Karachi
February 19, 2020
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-gas-leak-idUSKBN20D0NF
____________
Kiamari: Identification of soybean dust as an epidemic asthma agent in Karachi’s port area
2020
https://www.bolnews.com/health/2020/02/kiamari-identification-of-soybean-dust-as-an-epidemic-asthma-agent-in-karachis-port-area/
____________
Premised on lab report, Sindh health dept issues advisory for soybean dust allergy
February 19, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1535444
____________
Industrial hygiene, occupational safety and respiratory symptoms in the Pakistani cotton industry
2015
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25838509/
____________
Why organic farming is an uphill task in Pakistan
Jan 2, 2019
https://herald.dawn.com/news/1398754
____________
Benefits of organic farming in Pakistan
July 16, 2018
'Organic
farming helps to sustain an environmental friendly impact by avoidance
of use of materials from non-renewable resources, by recycling waste,
making a least or almost no usage of pesticides and insecticides,
avoidance of resources causing pollution and following crop rotation'
https://dailytimes.com.pk/268650/benefits-of-organic-farming-in-pakistan/
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Section 5: Agriculture
____________
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____________
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Agriculture in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Pakistan
____________
Major Crops of Pakistan
https://www.agribusiness.com.pk/major-crops-of-pakistan/
____________
Biopesticides and Their Role in Sustainable Agricultural Production
2018
https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=85143
____________
Best of 2020: Pakistan turns locust threat into chicken feed
December 24, 2020
Pakistani scientists have successfully tried a simple solution to turn the pests into protein and income amid the worst swarms for decades
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/food/best-of-2020-pakistan-turns-locust-threat-into-chicken-feed/
____________
Can Pakistan go beyond chemical pesticides for locust control?
August 21, 2020
As Pakistan tackles locust infestations to prevent mass food insecurity, scientists shed light on environmentally-friendly biopesticides as solutions for the future
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/nature/can-pakistan-go-beyond-chemical-pesticide-for-locust-control/
____________
A plague of locusts
December 12, 2019
In Pakistan’s Sindh province a locust outbreak has persisted due to favourable weather conditions caused by climate change, devastating crops over a wide area
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/a-plague-of-locusts-2/
____________
Study flags excess pesticide use by rice, cotton growers in Punjab, Kashmir
Jul 07, 2020
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/study-flags-excess-pesticide-use-by-rice-cotton-growers-109410
____________
Adressing Environmental Threats and Health Risks Through Responsible Rice Value Chain and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Pakistan
January 2018
https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/620461/cs-graisea-pakistan-responsible-rice-value-chain-180418-en.pdf;sequence=1
____________
High level of residue the biggest threat to rice exports
07/07/2021
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/asia/pakistan/high-level-of-residue-the-biggest-threat-to-rice-exports/ar-AALSTpH
____________
Determination of Heavy Metals (Cadmium, Arsenic and Lead) in Iranian, Pakistani and Indian Rice Consumed in Khorasan-Razavi Province, Iran by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
2017
http://www.ijss-sn.com/uploads/2/0/1/5/20153321/32_ijss-mahdi_jul_oa81_-_2017.pdf
____________
Extensive arsenic contamination in high-pH unconfined aquifers in the Indus Valley
Aug 2017
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/8/e1700935.full
____________
'Alarmingly high' levels of arsenic in Pakistan's ground water
23 August 2017
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-41002005
____________
Growing burden of diabetes in Pakistan and the possible role of arsenic and pesticides
2014
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4271443/
____________
Water for Over 50 Million in Pakistan Contains Dangerous Levels of Arsenic
01/Sep/2017
‘It may be the size of the Asian rivers, large because they drain the Himalayas, that makes the pollution so prominent.’
https://thewire.in/environment/arsenic-sediments-groundwater-pakistan-indus-basin-sindh-lahore
____________
More than half of south Asia's groundwater too contaminated to use – study
29 Aug 2016
Salinity and arsenic affect 60% of underground supply across vast Indo-Gangetic Basin, according to research published in Nature Geoscience
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/30/more-than-half-of-south-asias-groundwater-too-contaminated-to-use-study
____________
LOW COST INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES FOR REMOVAL OF
ARSENIC FROM DRINKING WATER: CASE STUDY OF PAKISTAN
March 2018
https://arpapress.com/Volumes/Vol34Issue3/IJRRAS_34_3_01.pdf
____________
Rice Farmers' Knowledge of the Risks of Pesticide Use in Bangladesh
December 01 2018
https://meridian.allenpress.com/jhp/article/8/20/181203/67566/Rice-Farmers-Knowledge-of-the-Risks-of-Pesticide
____________
As Pakistan bans water-guzzling rice, one farmer has an alternative
May 5, 2021
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/livelihoods/pakistan-bans-water-guzzling-rice-one-farmer-has-alternative/
____________
Effects of Biological Insecticides on Predatory Spider’s Population in Rice Field
2015
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1010.2482&rep=rep1&type=pdf
____________
Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Flesh of Catla catla from Ravi River, Pakistan
2014
Abstract
The levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT),
dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate,
carbofuran, and cartap which were estimated in the flesh of Catla catla
sampled from ten sites of Ravi River between its stretches from
Shahdara to Head Balloki were studied to know the level of contamination
of the selected pesticides by GC-ECD method. All fish samples were
found contaminated with different concentrations of DDT, DDE,
endosulfan, and carbofuran; however, DDT and DDE concentrations were
more than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) about food standards, while
endosulfan sulfate and cartap were not detected. Pesticide
concentrations in the fish flesh were ranged from 3.240 to 3.389 for
DDT, 2.290 to 2.460 for DDE, 0.112 to 0.136 for endosulfan, and 0.260 to
0.370 μg g−1 for carbofuran. The findings revealed
that the pesticide concentrations in the fish flesh decreased in the
order: DDT > DDE > carbofuran > endosulfan. After
Degh fall and After Hudiara nulla fall river sampling sites were found
severely contaminated. It is proposed that a constant monitoring
programs are needed to be initiated to overcome the present alarming
situation.
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2014/708532/
____________
Heavy metals incidence in the application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides to rice farming soils
1996
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15091407/
____________
Impacts of land uses on runoff and soil erosion A case study in Hilkot watershed Pakistan
2011
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S100162791160098X
____________
Dietary intake assessment of pyrethroid residues from okra and eggplant grown in peri-urban areas of Punjab, Pakistan
14 August 2019
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-019-06037-6
____________
Regulatory Efficacy of Novel Insecticides Against Major Pests of Vegetables in Faisalabad, Pakistan
December 13, 2018
____________
DNA barcode analysis of butterfly species from Pakistan points towards regional endemism
2013 Jun 24
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3910150/
____________
Biology and distribution of butterfly fauna of Hazara University, Garden Campus, Mansehra, Pakistan
2013
https://file.scirp.org/pdf/OJAS_2013062115322709.pdf
____________
USE, CONTAMINATION AND EXPOSURE OF PESTICIDES IN PAKISTAN:
A REVIEW
2020
https://pakjas.com.pk/papers/3082.pdf
____________
Residents of major Pakistan city are exposed to harmful pesticides
30-Nov-2017
Residents and workers in a major Pakistan city are exposed to harmful levels of pesticides, new research reveals.
https://new.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/lu-rom113017.php
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Pollution Status of Pakistan: A Retrospective Review on Heavy Metal Contamination of Water, Soil, and Vegetables
2014
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/813206/
____________
Use of Pesticides and Their Role in Environmental Pollution (Pakistan)
2010
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Use-of-Pesticides-and-Their-Role-in-Environmental-Khan-Zia/c8bec33204369ea9c543fc51c9c1ae44981c2a05
____________
A dangerous chemical romance
2018
How ongoing use of banned chemicals and extensive deforestation now haunts northern Pakistan, leaving population prone to serious health issues
https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/research-news/2018-02-28-a-dangerous-chemical-romance.html
____________
Residents of major Pakistan city are exposed to harmful pesticides, research reveals
November 30, 2017
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171130170208.htm
____________
The level and distribution of selected organochlorine pesticides in sediments from River Chenab, Pakistan
15 May 2010
Abstract
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), viz. β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH),
γ-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, endosulfan-I,
endosulfan-II, heptachlor endoepoxide, heptachlor exoepoxide, mirex,
dicofol, o,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (o,p′-DDT), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p′-DDT),
dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), and
dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethylene (DDE) and 12 other physicochemical
parameters were measured in surface sediments from River Chenab during
two sampling seasons (summer and winter, 2007) to evaluate spatial and
temporal trends of sediment pollution. Hierarchical agglomerative
cluster analysis identified three groups of sites based on spatial
similarities in physicochemical parameters and OCP residual
concentrations. Spatial discriminant function analysis (DFA) segregated
14 parameters, viz. dicofol, endosulfan-I, heptachlor endoepoxide,
dieldrin, DDD, DDE, endosulfan-II, o,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDT, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Cl−1,
total P (%), and silt, which explained 96% of total variance between
spatial groups. γ-HCH was the most frequently detected (63%) pesticide,
followed by DDD (56%). The ratio of DDTs to their metabolites indicated
current input and anaerobic biodegradation. Temporal DFA highlighted
aldrin, heptachlor endoepoxide, Cl−1, total P, and EC as
important variables which caused variations between summer and winter.
DDTs were relatively more prevalent as compared to other OCPs in the
sediments samples during both seasons. DDT metabolites were detected at
greater frequencies and concentrations in winter, whereas DDT isomers
were more prevalent in summer sediment samples. Factor analysis
identified agricultural and industrial activities as major sources of
sediment OCP contamination. Concentrations of γ-HCH, heptachlor
endoepoxide, dieldrin, and DDTs (isomers and metabolites) in all
sediment samples were well above interim sediment quality guidelines
(ISQGs) and probable effect limits (PEL) given by Canadian Sediment
Quality Guidelines (CSQGs).
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10653-010-9312-z
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Monitoring of biochemical effects of organochlorine pesticides on human health
2013
Abstract
The present study was designed to analyze organochlorine pesticide residues in the blood samples of the residents of Karachi. Biochemical and hematological parameters were tested thoroughly for changes as a result of organochlorine residues. In the blood samples which were drawn from both genders, organochlorine compounds like α-endosulfan (1.565 mg/kg) and β-endosulfan (1.233 mg/kg) were found in higher quantities and were the most frequently detected compounds. Average concentrations of the detected compounds (mg/kg) were: HCH (0.819); Cyclodienes (2.839); Diphenylaliphatics (0.240). An evident finding was the alteration in enzyme activity in higher residue samples. Levels of GPT, GOT, ALP, Choline-esterase and γ-GT were tested in all samples and observed major shifts in the upper and lower limits in high residue samples as compared with the normal values. Analysis of the blood parameters were carried out thoroughly and checked the levels of TLC, RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Platelets and differential leucocytes (Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils and Monocytes) but found no distinct changes and hence no convincing relation was observed. Results of the present investigation of OCs in different blood sera indicated that bioconcentration and biomagnification of these chemicals were common phenomena in the population of Karachi city and this may be accountable for a variety of diseases and health hazards.
https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=35567
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Organochlorine residues in Baluchistan/Pakistan: Blood and fat concentrations in humans
1989
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6521763-organochlorine-residues-baluchistan-pakistan-blood-fat-concentrations-humans
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Organochlorine
pesticides in surface soils and sediments from obsolete pesticides
dumping site near Lahore city, Pakistan: contamination status and their
distribution
2 January 2014
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Organochlorine-pesticides-in-surface-soils-and-from-Syed-Malik/b2abb2e059e2d54d5eaea77b4b607042084e2515
____________
Organochlorine
pesticides in surface soils from obsolete pesticide dumping ground in
Hyderabad City, Pakistan: Contamination levels and their potential for
air–soil exchange
2014
____________
Effects of Pharmaceutical Effluents on the Chemical. Composition of Various Vegetables in Sahiwal Region Punjab, Pakistan
May 28, 2020
http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/paperinfo?journalid=243&doi=10.11648/j.cbe.20200502.11
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Organochlorine
pesticides across the tributaries of River Ravi, Pakistan: Human health
risk assessment through dermal exposure, ecological risks, source
fingerprints and spatio-temporal distribution.
10 Nov 2017
https://europepmc.org/article/MED/29131997
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INDUSTRIAL WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT IN DISTRICT GUJRANWALA OF PAKISTAN- CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE SUGGESTIONS
2012
____________
Water supply and sanitation in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Pakistan
____________
Traditional Water Management Practices in Pakistan Threatened by Climate Change and Globalization
January 20, 2022
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2022/01/20/traditional-water-management-practices-in-pakistan-threatened-by-climate-change-and-globalization/
____________
____
Waste to energy: power generation potential of putrescible wastes by anaerobic digestion process at Hyderabad, Pakistan
05 December 2017
Abstract
Power generation from municipal solid waste plays significant role to
mitigate the environmental pollution. The power generation potential of
putrescible wastes (fruit, vegetable and yard wastes) was investigated
at Hyderabad, Pakistan. In the first phase, methane potential of fruit,
vegetable and yard wastes mixing at different ratios was determined to
optimize best of one. In the second phase, methane potential of
optimized ratio was further investigated through continuous stirrer tank
reactor at hydraulic retention time of 20 days by using organic loading
rate from 3 to 5% total solids (1.5–2.5 kg VS/m3/day). In
the third phase of study, power generation potential of selected waste
was estimated. The maximum methane potential (643 NmL/gVS, p ˂
0.05) was obtained from fruit, vegetable and yard wastes when mixed at
(1:1:1) by biochemical methane potential test system. Results of
continuous digestion revealed that methane yield increased as organic
loading rate was increased and obtained maximum methane yield of 525
NmL/gVS at 5% total solids (2.5 kg VS/m3/day). Moreover, from
the results and findings of the study, it was estimated that about 907
MW/year power can be generated through anaerobic digestion of
putrescible waste in Pakistan.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10163-017-0689-y
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WASTE TO ENERGY POTENTIAL IN PAKISTAN
February 2018
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/unosd/documents/37697.Waste%20to%20Energy%20Potential%20in%20Pakistan.pdf
____________
Heavy metal pollution from phosphate rock used for the production of fertilizer in Pakistan
2008
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026265X08001057
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Livestock grazing impacts on interrill erosion in Pakistan
May 1995
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Livestock-grazing-impacts-on-interrill-erosion-in-BariWood/2ea760989b3cf14d83fc8617f798c52ae89b6449
____________
Livestock Grazing Impacts on Desert Vegetation, Khirthar National Park, Pakistan
2007
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550742407500862
____________
Comparison of the Fecal Microbiota in Feral and Domestic Goats
2011
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3899958/
____________
Iron Asseveration in Soil, Forage and Animals Blood and Feces Samples Collected from Different Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
January 18, 2022
https://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Iron-Asseveration-Soil-Forage-Animals-Blood-and-Feces-Samples/24/1/4577/html
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[Chemical
composition of feces from bovines, sheep and goats feeding from
Sahelo-Sudanese natural or farming fields: its use for estimating the
nutritive value of their diet]
1990
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2206309/
____________
Gastrointestinal helminths in dog feces surrounding suburban areas of Lower Dir district, Pakistan: A public health threat
2019 Oct 21
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31644646/
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Potential Liquid Fertilizer Made from Goat Feces to Improve Vegetable Product
July 20th, 2021
https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/77620
____________
Pakistan soil resources, issues, threats, ongoing activities and their sustainable management
2015
http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/docs/asia_2015/PAKISTAN-Dr._M._Arshad.pdf
____________
Assessing indigenous and local knowledge of farmers about pollination services in cucurbit agro-ecosystem of Punjab, Pakistan
2019
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X19301196
____________
Faisalabad deprived of clean water as French project shuts down
Jan 30, 2020
____________
Experts say future water scarcity threatens Pakistan
Sept. 13, 2013
____________
Water scarcity in Pakistan – causes, effects and solutions
2017
https://nation.com.pk/11-Dec-2017/water-scarcity-in-pakistan-causes-effects-and-solutions
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Water resourses of pakistan, nadeem ashraf
Jun. 22, 2012
https://www.slideshare.net/1234567ses/water-resourses-of-pakistan-nadeem-ashraf
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Assessment of Avifauna and Water Quality Parameters of Mangla Wetland, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
2021
____________
Essay on Water Crisis in Pakistan | Essays for CSS
February 13, 2019
https://www.csstimes.pk/essay-on-water-crisis-in-pakistan-essays-for-css/
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Pesticide dust danger in Pakistan
6 December 2017
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/news-and-events/news/2017/december/pesticide-dust-danger-in-pakistan/
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Pesticides Pollution in Agricultural Soils of Pakistan
August 2016
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Pakistan: Residents Of Major City Of Lahore Exposed To Harmful Pesticides
December 1, 2017
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Residents of major Pakistan city are exposed to harmful pesticides
1 December 2017
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Pakistan launches drive against crops grown with wastewater
January 11, 2018
Pakistan’s
Punjab government launches crackdown against vegetables grown with
untreated wastewater and destroys those standing on thousands of acres
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DNA damage in Pakistani pesticide-manufacturing workers assayed using the Comet assay
2006
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16917935/
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Impact of organochlorine pollutants on semen parameters of infertile men in Pakistan
2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33549619/
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Solid phase extraction of pesticide residues in water samples:
DDT and its metabolites
Aug 2007
http://www.bioline.org.br/pdf?er08006
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Cost-comparison of DDT and alternative insecticides for malaria control
July 2008
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2915.2000.00262.x
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Spatio-temporal variations in wheat aphid populations and their natural enemies in four agro-ecological zones of Pakistan
2019
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6771227/
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Wheat under Yellow Rust attack
March 25, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1471613
Wheat, cultivated on around 8.7 million hectares in 2017-18, remains the largest crop sown. However, the crop is currently under attack by the Yellow Rust disease in Punjab...
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Energy Use Efficiency in Irrigated and Rainfed Wheat in Pakistan
December 16th 2020
https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/energy-use-efficiency-in-irrigated-and-rainfed-wheat-in-pakistan
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Critical risk analysis of metals toxicity in wastewater irrigated soil and crops: a study of a semi-arid developing region
2020
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69815-0
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Pesticides Pollution in Agricultural Soils of Pakistan
2016
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-34451-5_9
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Population response of Helicoverpa armigera on sunflower treated with
botanical synthetic insecticides
2021
http://www.thepab.org/files/2021/December-2021/PAB-MS-2101-009.pdf
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Punjab ranks high in water pollution by industries
2013
The SAD-BJP government's claims about attracting over a lakh crore rupees of investment in Punjab have been proven ...
https://www.sikhnet.com/news/punjab-ranks-high-water-pollution-industries
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13 Most Water Polluted Countries with the Worst Pollution in the World
https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/13-most-water-polluted-countries-with-the-worst-pollution-in-the-world-599328/4/
#11. Pakistan
Waterborne
diseases are a norm in Pakistan, and as much as 40% of deaths that
occur in the country are directly or indirectly attributed to water
pollution! As per our source, 62% of urban and 84% of the rural
population are using untreated water, making it no surprise that
hospitals are teeming with diarrhea cases on a daily basis. Furthermore,
like Bangladesh, arsenic contamination in water supply exposes around
60 million people in the country.
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Water wars: Are India and Pakistan heading for climate change-induced conflict?
25.01.2019
Across
the world, climate change is sparking conflict as people struggle over
dwindling resources. The fight over water could quickly escalate between
India and Pakistan — and both have nuclear arms.
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PM Imran Khan warns of worsening water crisis in Pakistan
"Pakistan's 80% water comes through glaciers, and glaciers are being severely affected due to global warming," he says
June 05, 2021
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/845156-pm-imran-khan-warns-of-worsening-water-crisis-in-pakistan
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Water Resources in Pakistan: Scarce, Polluted and Poorly Governed'
31 January 2019
https://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/water-resources-in-pakistan-scarce-polluted-and-poorly-governed/
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Food Allergies May Be Linked To Pesticides In Tap Water
December 3, 2012
https://www.eurasiareview.com/03122012-food-allergies-may-be-linked-to-pesticides-in-tap-water/
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Impossible Odds, Irrepressible Hope: Pakistan's water woes and the science that can solve them
January 5, 2012
A water researcher examines water dyed from cotton production in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Courtesy of Ingrid Verstraeten, USGS
https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/impossible-odds-irrepressible-hope-pakistans-water-woes-and-science-can-solve-them
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Water pollution in Pakistan and its impact on public health — A review
2010
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412010002060
____________
Chemical pollutants from an industrial estate in Pakistan: a threat to environmental sustainability
2019
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13201-019-0920-1#article-info
____________
Pakistan’s Water Challenges: A Human Development Perspective
2006
https://repub.eur.nl/pub/32696/metis_168634.pdf
____________
Pakistan’s Water Crisis: Three cheers to inefficiency
https://thefrontierpost.com/pakistans-water-crisis-three-cheers-inefficiency/
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Climate change and managing water crisis: Pakistan's perspective
2014
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24695031/
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Climate Change and Water Crises in Pakistan: Implications on Water Quality and Health Risks
November 2022
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365657322_Climate_Change_and_Water_Crises_in_Pakistan_Implications_on_Water_Quality_and_Health_Risks
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Pakistan approves first policy to tackle water crisis
April 25, 2018
New charter will plan, develop, monitor, coordinate and manage the country’s water resources
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistan-approves-first-policy-to-tackle-water-crisis-1.2211888
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WATER SHORTAGE IN PAKISTAN – A CRISIS AROUND
THE CORNER
2010
https://ndu.edu.pk/issra/issra_pub/articles/issra-paper/ISSRA_Papers_Vol2_IssueII_2010/01-Water-Shortage-in-Pakistan-Abdul-Rauf-Iqbal.pdf
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Inter-Provincial Water Sharing Conflicts in Pakistan
2012
https://www.academia.edu/73058332/Inter_Provincial_water_sharing_conflicts_in_Pakistan
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Freshwater Pollution: Sources, Impacts and Mitigation
https://stratagem.pk/biosphere/freshwater-pollution-sources-impacts-and-mitigation/
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Evaluation of local groundwater vulnerability based on DRASTIC index method in Lahore, Pakistan
2015
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016716915000045
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The level and distribution of heavy metals and changes in oxidative stress indices in humans from Lahore district, Pakistan
2015
Abstract
Human biomonitoring is a well-recognized tool for estimating the
exposure of humans to environmental pollutants. However, heavy metals'
pollution from anthropogenic origin is a cause for concern because of
its potential accumulation in the environment and living organisms,
leading to long-term toxic effects. This study was aimed to assess the
concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), copper (Cu),
nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in
human biological samples (urine, whole blood, hair, and nails) and
antioxidant response in blood samples from 48 individuals exposed to
heavy metals and to compare them with different age classes and sites.
The results indicated that there were metal-specific differences in
concentration in exposure groups among the studied sites. The
concentration of heavy metals in blood samples showed the following
order : Pb > Cd > Ni > Co > Cr. In urine samples, the order
was Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > Co > Cd; in nails samples, the
order was Pb > Ni > Cr > Co > Cd > Mn; and in hair
samples, the trend was Pb > Ni > Cr > Mn > Cd > Co. A
significant (p > 0.05) decrease in antioxidants enzymes activity was
observed with increase in heavy metals concentrations. This is the first
study reporting biological evidence of altered toxic metals'
concentration in humans in Lahore, Pakistan, due to environmental
exposure. Further research, including risk analysis studies, food chain
contamination, and epidemiological and clinical investigations, are
needed to assess optimal levels for dietary exposure in the study area
and associated adverse health outcomes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25791319/
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AN ASSESSMENT OF GROUND WATER POLLUTION IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN
2011
http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/zology/PDF-FILES/6-Article_V26_no2_2011.pdf
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Faisalabad, Lahore ranked among 10 most polluted cities in the world
05 Mar 2019
https://www.brecorder.com/news/478835/
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Lahore, Karachi among cities ranked worst for air pollution
AQI
between 151-200 is considered unhealthy, between 201 to 300 harmful and
over 300 is hazardous and may prompt emergency condition alerts
January 30, 2021
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/01/30/lahore-karachi-among-cities-ranked-worst-for-air-pollution/
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In Lahore Pakistan Smog has Become a '5th Season'
2017
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/10/world/asia/lahore-smog-pakistan.html
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As Lahore chokes on winter smog, Pakistan moves to cut air pollution
07 Jan 2019
https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/07/01/2019/As-Lahore-chokes-on-winter-smog,-Pakistan-moves-to-cut-air-pollution
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Lahore Covered in Thick Smog & Air Pollution - Measures Required
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/lahore-covered-in-thick-smog-air-pollution-measures-required.459069/
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The Lahore smog isn’t Indian farmers’ fault alone. Pakistan should look within
The
interesting thing about the ‘Lahore Smog’ is that the air pollution
situation is neither limited to Lahore nor is it technically smog.
19 November, 2019
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Lahore as bad as Delhi on the pollution front: Imran Khan
November 25, 2019
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Why pollution is so high in Pakistan's cities
11/01/2021
https://www.dw.com/en/why-pakistan-has-some-of-the-most-polluted-cities-in-the-world/a-59686579
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Pakistan, China to strengthen cooperation in agricultural sector: Gu Wenliang
August 13, 2020
https://nation.com.pk/13-Aug-2020/pakistan-china-to-strengthen-cooperation-in-agricultural-sector-gu-wenliang
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A third of global farmland at ‘high’ pesticide pollution risk
30 Mar 2021
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40078988
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Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables from Pakistan: a review of the occurrence and associated human health risks
25 June 2014
Abstract
The main objective of the review is to document, assess and analyze the
results of the previously reported data on levels of different
pesticides in selected fruits and vegetables from Pakistan. The findings
of the previous studies clearly indicated that more than 50 % of the
samples were contaminated with organophosphate, pyrethroids and
organochlorine pesticides. Many studies reported that among fresh fruits
and vegetables tomato, apple, melon, mango, grapes, and plum crossed
the FAO/WHO permissible limits for these contaminants residual levels.
The comparison of other regions showed that observed levels were found
above maximum residue limits (MRLs) in 50 % of the samples but were in
agreement with the studies from neighboring countries like China and
Bangladesh. Higher hazard risk index (HRI) values were calculated for
dieldrin, methamidophos, o,p′-DDT, diazinon and p,p′-DDT
in apple, mango, banana, melon, potato and onion. The review also
highlights that data on pesticide residues in foodstuff is scarce which
should be overcome by further extending studies from different areas of
Pakistan. In order to ascertain the provision of food suitable for human
consumption, it is imperative to monitor pesticides in food commodities
by the country’s authorities and enforce guidelines based on
permissible limits.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-014-3117-z
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Pesticide or Poison?
May 26, 2021
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/05/26/pesticide-or-poison/
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Bio pesticide is a Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan
March 2, 2017
https://agrihunt.com/articles/pesticide-industry/bio-pesticide-is-a-sustainable-agriculture-in-pakistan/
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Impact of pesticides use in agriculture: their benefits and hazards
2009
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2984095/
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The Silent Fields – Pesticide Poisoning in Punjab
December, 2013
https://gallagher-photo.com/environmental-stories/pesticide-poisoning-punjab-india/
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Current scenario of pesticide practices among farmers for vegetable production: A case study in Lower Sindh, Pakistan
2014
https://www.isdsnet.com/ijds-v3n3-7.pdf
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DNA damage in Pakistani pesticide-manufacturing workers assayed using the Comet assay
17 August 2006
Abstract
The production and use of chemical pesticides has increased in recent
years. Although the increased use of pesticides may benefit agriculture,
they are also the potential source of environmental pollution, and
exposure to pesticides can have negative consequences for human health.
In the present study, we have assessed DNA damage in blood leukocytes
from 29 Pakistani pesticide-factory workers and 35 controls of similar
age and smoking history. The workers were exposed to various mixtures of
organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids. DNA damage was measured
with the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay or Comet assay,
using the mean comet tail length (μm) as the DNA damage metric. Exposed
workers had significantly longer comet tail lengths than the controls
(mean ± SD 19.98 ± 2.87 vs. 7.38 ± 1.48, P < 0.001). Of the
possible confounding factors, smokers had significantly longer mean
comet tail lengths than nonsmokers and exsmokers for both the workers
(21.48 ± 2.58 vs.18.37 ± 2.28, P < 0.001) and the controls (8.86 ± 0.56 vs. 6.79 ± 1.31, P < 0.001), while age had a minimal effect on DNA damage (P > 0.05 and P
< 0.05 for workers and controls, respectively). The results of this
study indicate that occupational exposure to pesticides causes DNA
damage. Environ.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/em.20232
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Centre wants to ban a host of pesticides: Here’s why
20 May 2020
Centre proposes banning monocrotophos, methomyl and carbofuran, three Class I pesticides associated with high levels of toxicity that resulted in farmers’ deaths
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/centre-wants-to-ban-a-host-of-pesticides-here-s-why-71258
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Parasitoids associated with mango leaf miner, Acrocercops syngramma (Meyrick) Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae in Mango Orchard
2017
https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2017/vol5issue4/PartU/5-3-158-178.pdf
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Pakistan losing Middle East mango pulp market
June 17, 2011
Political turmoil in ME and price cut by India sideline exporters.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/190539/pakistan-losing-middle-east-mango-pulp-market
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Pakistan’s papaya pest squashed through biocontrol
04/01/17
https://www.scidev.net/global/features/pakistan-papaya-pest-biocontrol/
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Additive interactions of some reduced-risk biocides and two entomopathogenic nematodes suggest implications for integrated control of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
14 January 2021
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-79725-w
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Monitoring of field-evolved resistance to flonicamid, neonicotinoid, and conventional insecticides in the Oxycarenus hyalinipennis costa
05 June 2021
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-021-09158-z
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Whitefly pest poses threat to Pakistan’s food security
30/04/18
https://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/news/whitefly-pest-poses-threat-to-pakistan-s-food-security/
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Risk assessment of pesticide exposure on health of Pakistani tobacco farmers
17 June 2009
https://www.nature.com/articles/jes200913
____________
Assessment of organochlorine pesticides and health risk in tobacco farming associated with River Barandu of Pakistan
2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33742378/
____________
Tobacco control laws in Pakistan and their implementation: A pilot study in Karachi
2016
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27427139/
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Pakistan straggle in Kinnow export and its waste’s utility; a cause and effect relationship.
January 12, 2021
https://blog.sharerizq.com/2021/01/12/pakistan-straggle-in-kinnow-export-and-its-wastes-utility-a-cause-and-effect-relationship/
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Toxicity of botanicals and selective insecticides to Asian citrus psylla,
Diaphorina citri K. (Homoptera: Psyllidae) in laboratory conditions
2013
https://swfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/hlb/database/pdf/5_Azhar_13.pdf
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Larvicidal Efficacy of Aqueous Extracts of Citrus grandis (Grapefruit) against Culex Larvae
2019-03-31
https://journals.psmpublishers.org/index.php/microbiol/article/view/308
____________
Pesticides exposure in Pakistan: A review
November 2007
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412007001389
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Pesticide Use in Swat Valley, Pakistan
1 August 2008
https://bioone.org/journals/Mountain-Research-and-Development/volume-28/issue-3/mrd.1042/Pesticide-Use-in-Swat-Valley-Pakistan/10.1659/mrd.1042.full
Abstract
Pesticides are increasingly used in Pakistan, including in remote Northern areas in the country, for several reasons. A study in Swat Valley investigated the use of pesticides and associated problems, and identified possible remedial measures of an indigenous nature. Soil samples were analyzed and a detailed survey was done in 12 villages, based on interviews with 216 farmers and several in-depth interviews with other stakeholders such as the agriculture department and various pesticide dealers. All the soil samples contained residues of pesticides, 2 of which are known to be highly toxic and accumulate in nature. Thus they represent a potential risk to the health of people and the ecosystem. The various factors contributing to heavy pesticide use include adulteration and the unscientific way pesticides are used, which in turn affects apiculture and populations of fish and migratory birds. Therefore, proper awareness and farmer training may be helpful to avoid use of pesticides, including for fishing, while administrative measures should be adopted against adulteration. Pesticide use can also be minimized by crop rotation, early harvesting, and reviving farmers' collective work system in farmer field schools (FFS).
Pesticides: widely used in Pakistan
Pakistan is basically an agricultural country. Its economy largely depends upon good crop yields. Due to the widespread presence of pests and plant diseases, however, the country is suffering a loss of PKR 6.5 billion (US$ 85 million) in major food and cash crops (cotton, rice, sugarcane, and maize) every year, while a continuous increase in pesticide usage has been observed. Use of pesticides increased from 23,212 tons in 1994 to over 69,897 tons in 2002. At present about 400 products comprising over 200 active ingredients are registered. This increasing trend must be discouraged by identifying appropriate measures. The present study is an attempt to identify measures helpful in minimizing pesticide-related problems.
Contamination of the soils by pesticides
Heavy use of pesticides was observed in Swat Valley—not only for agriculture; indeed, pesticides are also misused for fishing. The residual concentration varied from place to place and crop to crop. Six pesticides were identified in all samples. These included 4 banned types (Dieldrin, DDT, Malathion, Lindane) and 2 restricted ones (Methyl Parathion and Heptachlor). In upper areas (northern side) such as Kalam, the total concentration of residual pesticides was comparatively low, ranging from 6 to 45 mg/kg, while 5 types of pesticides were not detected. The same trend was found in the Bahrain, Miandam, and Malam Jaba areas. This can be attributed to steep slopes (30–40%) and sandy soil texture where residues of pesticides are easily leached. Compared to the southern part of Pakistan, these areas are famous for production of off-season crops and are more profitable for farmers.
Based on the interviews, we know that thousands of kg of pesticides are applied in this upper part of Swat Valley and hence are washed into the Swat river, which is used for irrigation downstream. Therefore, the concentration of residual pesticides rises further in Lower Swat. Dichlorvos increased from 47mg/kg in the north to 159 mg/kg in the south, Endosulfan from 0 to 12 mg/kg, Methidiathion from 38 to 125 mg/kg, and Cypermethrin from 43 to 184 mg/kg. Irrigated water, after passing agriculture fields with such residual pesticides concentration (RPC), appeared as a potential hazard when joining the mainstream of the Swat river in Mardan District, situated downstream of the Swat river, NWFP, Pakistan.
The interviews and market surveys also revealed that the residual concentration of banned or restricted pesticides may be due to heavy spraying during the early 1970s, or to the available stock of banned pesticides. The second statement is valid for DDT, as it was found in 3 houses and 2 shops; the matter of the other 4 banned pesticides is open to question. Two pesticides, Heptachlor and Methyl Parathion, have been recently banned in Pakistan, coming under the Rotterdam Convention; but they remain available on the market, and residues were found in soil in the range of 0.6–137 mg/kg for Heptachlor and 12–128 mg/kg for Methyl Parathion. This can be attributed to the various misuses of pesticides by retailers. The rarely used pesticides include Dichlorvos (30–143 mg/kg), Isoproturan (0.34–126 mg/kg), Diazinon (12–172 mg/kg), and Methidiathion (12–216 mg/kg). The most widely used pesticides identified were Cypermethrin (26–184 mg/kg) and Endosulfan (6.24–12.63 mg/kg).
Observed misuses of pesticides
Adulteration During the survey 75% of farmers complained about adulteration in all pesticides. The same question was put to the agriculture department and was verified. In the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), only one laboratory is operated by the plant protection department and it is difficult to cover the whole of the province, due to which it is difficult to cope with adulteration.
Unscientific and irregular use of pesticides is another common practice in the study area, where pesticides are not used according to prescribed doses. Out of 216 farmers, only 10 farmers had proper instruments and gauging equipment to prepare solutions in the prescribed way; 73 farmers were observed in the field preparing solutions unscientifically and with no safety measures whatsoever. We came across 17 people affected by pesticides during spraying (Figure 2).
Illegal use for fishing was the most unfortunate aspect of pesticide use (Endosulfan and Cypermethrin) in the study area, along with other illegal means of fishing such as electric current and dynamite. This not only undermines biodiversity but also contaminates the food cycle. A total of 36 people were identified as associated with the fishing business, of which 25 were using pesticides for fishing.
Small landholdings are another problem encouraging excess pesticide use. If one farmer uses pesticides and a neighbor does not, there will soon be pest attacks from the neighboring field. Therefore, the fields are sprayed again and again. Hence a collective and concerted campaign is required to discourage pests with minimum pesticide use.
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US to help Pakistan introduce genetically-engineered corn
May 20, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1483389
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Pakistan’s Import Ban: US Defends its Soybean, Says it Poses No Risks
Dec 8, 2022
https://propakistani.pk/2022/12/08/pakistans-import-ban-us-defends-its-soybean-says-it-poses-no-risks/
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Punjab starts selling unapproved cotton seeds
April 7, 2014
https://www.dawn.com/news/1098296
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has started selling genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds that have never been field tested in Pakistan and approved for commercialisation.
The move can have a negative impact on the crop production besides posing risks to the export of cotton products, especially to the western countries under the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus status granted to Pakistan.
Under the bio-safety guidelines 2005, all GM organisms should be tested for at least two years before they are sold in the markets.
Last month, advertisements sponsored by the Punjab government started appearing in national Urdu newspapers for the sale of 23 Bt (or genetically modified) cotton seeds to farmers.
“The GM seed varieties have to be registered with the Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department under the Seed Act 1976 and Seed Rules 1987.
The department issues certification to private companies and government institutions for sale after it has verified the bio-safety data - impact on the environment and human health for two years,” said an expert in the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC).
Dr M. Ibrahim Mughal, the chairman of the Agro-Farm Pakistan, added: “Cotton makes up for $17 billion of the $25 billion agriculture industry. Nobody in the government and private sector realises that we are destroying the cotton industry.”
Documents available with Dawn showed that in April 2010 eight Bt cotton varieties and one hybrid variety was approved by the Punjab Seed Council for cultivation in the province.
Four of the varieties were approved on a provisional basis for one year for field performance/monitoring and all other Bt seeds and hybrid for three years.
This provisional exemption was given knowing that the quality of cotton fibre, especially (micronaire value and staple length), was lower than fibre quality standards with low Bt toxin levels to kill pests.
The private companies were to use these for 1-3 years to improve the crop quality. However, the companies never submitted their progress reports.
For unknown reasons, the technical advisory committee recommended on February 13, 2014, an extension in the commercialisation of the varieties approved in 2010 for three years, which had expired in 2013. Further provisional approval would be granted for two years.
“The seed companies failed to submit to the National Bio-Safety Committee local bio-safety and risk assessment data on the quality of seed and its impacts on the environment. The substandard seed is back on sale to the farmers in the market,” said the expert.
The exemption was, however, also a clear violation of the Bio-Safety Guidelines 2005 and the Seed Act 1976, said the scientist. According to other experts in PARC, GM seeds undergo distinctness, uniformity and stability or DUS test, imperative under the Seed Act 1976 and Seed Act 1986.
The test has to be done for at least two years in the field to check compatibility of the GM seed in a new environment.
However, the DUS data has never been provided for the genetically modified cotton seeds being sold to the farmers to date.
The Ministry of Commerce and Textile Industries in a letter to the prime minister on December 27, 2013, stated: “Matters pertaining to genetically modified organisms are to be discussed, resolved and monitored at the national level only, as mandated by the Cartegena Protocol, and cannot be devolved to the provinces in the interest of public safety and national security.”
In October 2012, the International Cotton Advisory Committee, US, in its country report on Pakistan’s cotton sector expressed concern that because of Bt cotton use in Pakistan minor pests like red bug, dusky bug etc., had become major pests of cotton.
The concern rose after new pests emerged due to GM cotton such as red bug and dusky bug.
The committee added: “Inefficient plant protection measures have resulted in excessive use of pesticides, increasing costs of production and environment pollution. In the recent past, widespread attack of mealy bug, red cotton and dusky cotton bug have caused substantial loss to the yield.
The population of other sucking insects, namely whitefly and jassid are also on the rise presumably due to cultivation of Bt cotton.
Managing Director Punjab Seed Corporation Khaqan Babar was unaware of the approval of substandard GM seeds.
Cotton Commissioner Ministry of Commerce and Textile Industries Dr Khalid Abdullah Malik said the low standard GM seed varieties were things of the past.
“New varieties have been added which have been approved by the federal government. These varieties have been tested worldwide and in 18 different locations in Punjab and Sindh and are compatible with the local environment, have been tested for pest resistance, and the fibre characteristics of the Bt cotton suit industry requirement,” he said.
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Residues of endosulfan in cotton growing area of Vehari, Pakistan: an assessment of knowledge and awareness of pesticide use and health risks
2018 Sep 18
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30229485/
____________
Economic Evaluation of Pesticide Use Externalities in the Cotton Zones of Punjab, Pakistan
2007
https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/2688/
____________
Economic perspectives of cotton crop in Pakistan: A time series analysis (1970–2015) (Part 1)
2016
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658077X1630162X
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Economic perspectives of major field crops of Pakistan: An empirical study
2016
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405883116300569
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Risk assessment of transgenic cotton against non-target whiteflies, thrips, jassids and aphids under field conditions in Pakistan
2018
https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/2018/vol6issue2/PartB/6-1-269-164.pdf
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Locust hordes threaten Pakistan’s prized cotton farms
25/10/19
https://www.scidev.net/global/features/locust-horde-threaten-pakistan-s-prized-cotton-farms-1x/
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Bt cotton, damage control and optimal levels of pesticide use in Pakistan
19 November 2013
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/environment-and-development-economics/article/abs/bt-cotton-damage-control-and-optimal-levels-of-pesticide-use-in-pakistan/A09A78F680E9595D82D92FEDF0E0BC2F
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Pakistan: Environmental Impact of Cotton Production and Trade
1998
https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/pk_Banuri.pdf
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Transgenic cotton and farmers’ health in Pakistan
October 2, 2019
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0222617
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Degradation and persistence of cotton pesticides in sandy loam soils from Punjab, Pakistan
2005
Abstract
The present study evaluated the influence of temperature, moisture, and
microbial activity on the degradation and persistence of commonly used
cotton pesticides, i.e., carbosulfan, carbofuran, lambda-cyhalothrin,
endosulfan, and monocrotophos, with the help of laboratory incubation
and lysimeter studies on sandy loam soil (Typic Ustocurepts) in
Pakistan. Drainage from the lysimeters was sampled on days 49, 52, 59,
73, 100, 113, and 119 against the pesticide application on days 37, 63,
82, 108, and 137 after the sowing of cotton. Carbofuran, monocrotophos,
and nitrate were detected in the drainage samples, with an average
value, respectively, of 2.34, 2.6 microg/L, and 15.6 mg/L for no-tillage
and 2.16, 2.3 microg/L, and 13.4 mg/L for tillage. In the laboratory,
pesticide disappearance kinetics were measured with sterile and
nonsterile soils from 0 to 10 cm in depth at 15, 25, and 35 degrees C
and 50% and 90% field water capacities. Monocrotophos and carbosulfan
dissipation followed first-order kinetics while others followed
second-order kinetics. The results of incubation studies showed that
temperature and moisture contents significantly reduced the t(1/2)
(half-life) values of pesticides in sterile and nonsterile soil, but the
effect of microbial activity was nearly significant that might be due
to less organic carbon (0.3%). The presence of carbofuran and
monocrotophos in the soil profile (0-10, 10-30, 30-60, 60-90, 90-150 cm)
and the higher concentrations of endosulfan and lambda-cyhalothrin in
the top layer (0-10 cm) showed the persistence of the pesticides. The
detection of endosulfan and lambda-cyhalothrin in the 10-30 cm soil
layer might be due to preferential flow. The data generated from this
study could be helpful for risk assessment studies of pesticides and for
validating pesticide transport models for sandy loam soils in
cotton-growing areas of Pakistan.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16009361/
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Pakistan abandoning cotton for water guzzling sugarcane
April 9, 2020
High profits from sugarcane farming, plus its ability to withstand climate shocks, lure farmers away from cotton
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/pakistan-sugarcane/
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Farmers find switching to betel leaf more profitable
January 17, 2020
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/599588-farmers-find-switching-to-betel-leaf-more-profitable
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Pesticides in shallow groundwater of Bahawalnagar, Muzafargarh, D.G. Khan and Rajan Pur districts of Punjab, Pakistan
2003
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15031006/
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Level of pesticides contamination in the major river systems: A review on South Asian countries perspective
2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34189313/
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Physicochemical and Bacteriological Characterization of Industrial Wastewater Being Discharged to Surface Water Bodies: Significant Threat to Environmental Pollution and Human Health
23 May 2020
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jchem/2020/9067436/
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Effects of Pharmaceutical Effluents on the Chemical. Composition of Various Vegetables in Sahiwal Region Punjab, Pakistan
May 28, 2020
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of toxic metals
such as Lead (pb), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and
Cadmium (Cd) in pharmaceutical effluents, agricultural soil and
vegetables (Pumpkin, Green Chilli and Spinach) in Sahiwal Region,
Punjab, Pakistan, where many pharmaceutical industries producing
effluents that contain toxic metals, reagents, organic compounds and
catalyst. These pharmaceutical effluents are being used for irrigation
purpose. Different samples of efflents, soil and vegitables analysed.
Though the detected amounts are exceeded from WHO irrigation limits in
water samples other than zinc. The analysis of soil sample showed that
All metals were exceeding the controlled sample and WHO limits. The
testing in vegetables samples showed that all the metals exceeded the
permissible limit other than Fe and it was concluded that agricultural
soil and vegetables of small industrial estate area of Sahiwal region
were contaminated by increasing concentration of toxic metals due to
untreated pharmaceutical effluents. There is a need of regular
monitoring of pharmaceutiocal effluents enterimg into irrigation water
sources in order to save quality of vegatables and health hazards.
http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/paperinfo?journalid=243&doi=10.11648/j.cbe.20200502.11
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Eutrophication A Serious Pollution Problem
September 11, 2015
Eutrophication refers to a process in which the addition of nutrients to water bodies, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, stimulates algal growth. Under natural conditions, this is usually a slow process that results in healthy and productive ecosystems. In recent decades, however, a variety of human activities has greatly accelerated nutrient inputs to estuarine systems, causing excessive growth of algae and leading to degraded environmental conditions. The most common bad effect from eutrophification is high algae growth. If algae take over in a lake or along a river, other forms of life may suffer greatly. Eutrophification generally reduces biodiversity and will specifically and sometimes dramatically reduce the number of certain species. The Great Lakes have severe eutrophification from phosphorus inputs. There are three main stages that make up the essential cycle of eutrophication: oligitrophy, mesotrophy, and eutrophy. These stages represent the lake from its beginning to its death, specifying how old the lake is. When one or more of these stages is sped up or even skipped over completely, the natural balance is disrupted and can result in the annihilation of the body of water.
| Oligotrophic | Clear waters with little organic matter or sediment and minimum biological activity. |
| Mesotrophic | Waters with more nutrients, and therefore, more biological productivity. |
| Eutrophic | Waters extremely rich in nutrients, with high biological productivity. Some species may be choked out. |
| Hypereutrophic | Murky, highly productive waters, closest to the wetland status. Many clearwater species cannot survive. |
https://agrihunt.com/articles/pak-agri-outlook/eutrophication-a-serious-pollution-problem/
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Land Desertification-An Emerging Threat to Environment and Food Security of Pakistan
2007
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jas.2007.1199.1205
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Organic matter status of Pakistan soils and its management
http://www.pakissan.com/english/advisory/organic.farming/organic.matter.status.of.pakistan.shtml
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Crop Cultivation On Problem Soils In Pakistan
2019
https://www.arlinadesign.com/2019/10/crop-cultivation-on-problem-soils-in.html
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Pakistani soil not being used against Afghanistan: Fawad Chaudhry
July 12, 2021
ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Monday said that Pakistani soil is not being used against Afghanistan and a similar action should be reciprocated by the neighbours, ARY NEWS reported.
https://arynews.tv/fawad-chaudhry-pakistani-soil-not-being-used-against-afghanistan/
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Agriculture Problems in Pakistan And Their Solutions
2010
https://www.einfopedia.com/agriculture-problems-in-pakistan-and-their-solutions.php
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Pakistan Agriculture Stats
https://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/profiles/Pakistan/Agriculture
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Sustainable agriculture and fertilizer practices in Pakistan
July 9, 2013
https://www.agribusiness.com.pk/sustainable-agriculture-and-fertilizer-practices-in-pakistan/
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Section 6: Deforestation & Endangered Animals
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Pakistan’s deforestation rate second highest in Asia: WWF
August 15, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1574424
ISLAMABAD: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on Friday with only 5.7pc of land, or around 4.54 million hectares under forest cover, the country’s deforestation rate is the second highest in Asia, after Afghanistan and is well below the recommended cover of 25pc.
In a statement, WWF said that the recent flash floods in parts of Balochistan, Kachho in Sindh and widespread rains in Karachi, Lahore and other cities, call for a joint effort to mitigate the destructive impacts of climate change and plan effective strategies to deal with such situations.
On Pakistan’s Independence Day, WWF-Pakistan emphasised adopting nature-based solutions, reviving natural waterways, halting deforestation, promoting environment-friendly tourism and conserving rainwater through effective and innovative storage systems in place at different scales.
WWF-Pakistan also appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiative to increase green cover and plant more trees across the country. These plantation drives will help mitigate climate change impacts, protect wildlife and promote livelihoods coupled with creating more green jobs, said WWF.
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The Underlying Causes of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Pakistan
http://www.fao.org/3/xii/0983-b1.htm
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‘Country losing over 40,000 acres of forest land annually’
March 22, 2014
THATTA: Pakistan is losing 41,100 hectares of forest annually which is one of the major factors contributing to environmental degradation costing the national economy a loss of about Rs1 billion per day, according to speakers at a programme held in Baghan town near Keti Bunder on Friday to mark the World Forest Day.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1094682
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Deforestation in pakistan
Dec. 09, 2017
https://www.slideshare.net/atiafiaz/deforestation-in-pakistan
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Deforestation In Pakistan
https://nation.com.pk/05-Sep-2019/deforestation-in-pakistan
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Deforestation in Pakistan
https://www.coursehero.com/file/100128915/Deforestation-in-Pakistan-pptx/
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Deforestation rates tables and charts
Pakistan Forest Information and Data
https://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Pakistan.htm
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Pakistan (Forest Information)
https://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/forest-information-archive/Pakistan.htm
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Global Forest Watch (Pakistan)
https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/PAK/7/5/
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Environmental Concerns in Pakistan, with Special Reference to Water and Forests
24 August 2009
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/environmental-conservation/article/abs/environmental-concerns-in-pakistan-with-special-reference-to-water-and-forests/4A319E2548FC0EB4E9EE72943B3071A8
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Deforestation in Pakistan
https://arslansarwar.org/deforestation-in-pakistan/
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DEFORESTATION IN PAKISTAN
https://pak-deforestation.weebly.com/
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Deforestation threatens endangered vultures in Nagarparkar
March 28, 2016
https://www.dawn.com/news/1248336
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Deforestation in Pakistan will affect future of people: PM Imran Khan
23rd Feb, 2020
https://www.bolnews.com/pakistan/2020/02/deforestation-in-pakistan-will-affect-future-of-people-pm-imran-khan/
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Pakistan sends in armed force to stop logging in northern forests
April 2021
Lacking staff, training and funding, the Gilgit-Baltistan forest department has been unable to stop illegal logging on its own
* Pakistan loses about 27,000 hectares of trees per year
* Demand for wood is three times higher than sustainable supply
* Illegal logging in Gilgit-Baltistan has fallen since deployment
https://news.trust.org/item/20210401091755-nvewu
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‘Plant for Pakistan’ initiative to reverse deforestation, combat climate change
February 23, 2022
https://dailytimes.com.pk/890518/plant-for-pakistan-initiative-to-reverse-deforestation-combat-climate-change/
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In battle with 'land mafia', Pakistan targets win for forests and climate
March 21, 2019
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-environment-forests-feature-idUSKCN1R21CW
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Timber mafia denuding Murree forests of trees
February 23, 2014
https://www.dawn.com/news/1088880
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‘Timber mafia’ made floods worse
17 Aug 2010
Illegal logging is cited as one of the reasons behind the ferocity of floods in Pakistan.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/8/17/timber-mafia-made-floods-worse
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Pakistan's floods are not just a natural disaster
5 Aug 2010
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/aug/05/pakistan-floods-failure-state
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Deforestation in Pakistan explained using the issue attention cycle
2019
https://www.grin.com/document/510293
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Drivers and mechanisms of forest change in the Himalayas
2021
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378021000236
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Pakistan's politicians fail to protect environment - rights group
29 April 2014
https://news.trust.org/item/20140428185713-v86hn/
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Religious seminaries students to plant trees to overcome environmental pollution
July 26, 2021
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The ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ is transforming northwestern Pakistan
Jun 27, 2018
https://inhabitat.com/the-billion-tree-tsunami-is-transforming-northwestern-pakistan/
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Towards a greener Pakistan
August 29, 2020
https://desertification.wordpress.com/2020/08/29/towards-a-greener-pakistan/
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'Scary Moms' Are Part Of The Citizen War Against Pollution In Pakistan
January 6, 2020
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/01/06/792693712/scary-moms-are-part-of-the-citizen-war-against-pollution-in-pakistan
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Illegal Logging Boosts Taliban, IS Revenues In Eastern Afghanistan
October 05, 2017
https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-kunar-forest/28775967.html
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Taliban Capitalize on Afghan Logging Ban
April 10, 2010
Measure to Preserve Nation's Forests Instead Turns Them Over to Militants
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303960604575157683859247368
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Illegal Logging Destroying Afghan Forests
2018
Government struggles to protect vast areas of woodland.
https://iwpr.net/global-voices/illegal-logging-destroying-afghan-forests
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Afghanistan's Forests A Casualty Of Timber Smuggling
March 18, 2013
https://www.npr.org/2013/03/18/174200911/afghanistans-forests-a-casualty-of-timber-smuggling
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‘We’re in crisis’: The high price of deforestation in Afghanistan
4 Jul 2019
Wood has long been a main energy source, which has diminished the country’s forests, but things are changing.
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/7/4/were-in-crisis-the-high-price-of-deforestation-in-afghanistan
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Made worse by tree loss, flooding forces migration in Afghanistan
September 8, 2020
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-environment-floods-trfn-idUSKBN25Z1HQ
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How to stop the trade in illegal timber between China and Myanmar
September 18, 2015
China needs to do much more in banning illegal hardwood from neighbouring Burma, writes campaigner Vicky Lee
https://chinadialogue.net/en/business/8178-how-to-stop-the-trade-in-illegal-timber-between-china-and-myanmar/
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Bhutan considers exploiting forests to offset pandemic losses
October 7, 2020
Experts call for caution as Bhutan, an environmental trailblazer, assesses whether to ramp up timber production
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/nature/bhutan-considers-exploiting-forests-to-offset-pandemic-losses/
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143K Tons of Trafficked Timber Seized Over 3 Years
8 April 2019
https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/143k-tons-trafficked-timber-seized-3-years.html
NAYPYITAW — More than 143,000 tons of trafficked hardwood have been seized since the current administration took office three years ago, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation’s Forest Department.
“Thanks to tip-offs from members of the public, we were able to make those seizures,” the department’s deputy director-general, U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin, told The Irrawaddy.
Over the same period, it said, more than 20,000 alleged timber traffickers were arrested and 9,460 pieces of machinery and 1,163 chainsaws were also seized.
In a press release on Thursday, the department said that most of the seizures were made possible by its community-based system to monitor illegal logging and alert authorities.
The department also pays cash rewards for reports of illegal logging, paying out more than 7 million kyats in the 2016-17 fiscal year, more than 40 million kyats in the 2017-18 fiscal year, and more than 67 million kyats in 2018-19 fiscal year, said U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin.
Because Forest Department staff and forestry police are overstretched in border areas, the department had to seek the help of the Defense Ministry in some cases this year.
“Because the commander-in-chief of defense services agreed to cooperate, we were able to seize 1,356 tons and 38 pieces of machinery and arrest 111 smugglers in February and March. We can’t do without the assistance of the military in border areas were the security forces are limited,” he said.
Setting the amount of forested area against the number of staff, each Forest Department officer effectively has to cover 9,000 acres, he added.
Department staff are sometimes attacked by the traffickers they are pursuing. From 1998 to the end of March, eight staff including an assistant director were killed and 47 were injured, according to U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin.
Without the cooperation of ethnic armed groups and the military, or Tatmadaw, they would have little success combating illegal logging, said Lower House lawmaker U Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo.
“The Forest Department alone would not be able to do it. Only when both the Tatmadaw and armed groups participate in forest conservation will it be successful,” he said.
Lower House Lawmaker U Kyaw Soe said the seizures were just “the tip of the iceberg,” adding that the involvement of some local authorities in the trafficking also made it more difficult to fight illegal logging.
Timber from Myanmar is smuggled mainly to China.
The Forest Department auctions off about 80 percent of the timber it seizes.
Myanmar has banned the export of logged timber since 2014. The current administration has also restricted logging since 2016 in a bid to curb deforestation.
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Gabon’s Sacred Trees Are Becoming China’s Upscale Furniture
September 13, 2019
Worshipped by indigenous groups, kevazingo are illegal to cut—but prized as a rosewood knockoff.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/gabon-kevazingo-trees-illegal-chinese-furniture
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US-Cambodia tensions grow as USAID cuts forest protection project
June 17, 2021
Illegal logging by well-connected companies reportedly accelerating despite denials
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/US-Cambodia-tensions-grow-as-USAID-cuts-forest-protection-project
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Flawed timber scheme hits Indonesian forests
May 19, 2019
Some 422 containers of illegal timber has been seized this year, most of it from Papua and the Malukus; the cases show that the certification scheme for exports to the EU isn't working
https://asiatimes.com/2019/05/flawed-timber-scheme-hits-indonesian-forests/
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Sri Lanka to ban chainsaws, timber mills to protect forests: President Maithripala Sirisena
Jun 07, 2019
https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-to-ban-chainsaws-timber-mills-to-protect-forests-president-maithripala-sirisena-225288
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Blood Timber in Thailand and the Fight to Save the World's Most Valuable Tree
08/05/17
https://www.newsweek.com/2017/08/18/siamese-rosewood-tree-thailand-poachers-646904.html
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Pakistan’s deforestation rate world’s highest, observes LHC
September 4, 2019
https://www.dawn.com/news/1503365
ISLAMABAD:
With annual deforestation rate in Pakistan recorded as the world’s
highest, the Lahore High Court has observed that such tendency will lead
to increase in the spread of life-threatening diseases and ordered the
Punjab government, Defence Housing Authority and various other
development authorities to make a comprehensive policy for tree
plantation and penalising those removing, cutting or damaging trees.
The
country’s deforestation rate has been estimated between 0.2 and 0.5 per
cent per annum — the highest in the world — accounting for four to six
per cent decline in its wood biomass per annum, the LHC verdict
deplored.
Authored by Justice Jawad Hasan, the judgement, while
citing a research report, observed that the natural forest cover had
reduced from 3.59 million hectares to 3.32m hectares at an average rate
of 27,000 hectares annually.
Citing the 2010 research report by
the National Environment Information System (NEIMS), the judgement
feared that the natural resources were decreasing at such an alarming
speed that all the forest area would be consumed within the next five
years...
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Rapid deforestation puts Pakistan's climate policies in jeopardy
June 2021
https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/rapid-deforestation-puts-pakistans-climate-policies-in-jeopardy20210609182354/
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CONTRIBUTION TO THE RED LIST OF THE PLANTS OF PAKISTAN
October 2010
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266491583_CONTRIBUTION_TO_THE_RED_LIST_OF_THE_PLANTS_OF_PAKISTAN
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Pakistan - Plant species (higher), threatened
2019
https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/pakistan/indicator/EN.HPT.THRD.NO
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Of vanishing forests and wildlife in Ayubia
Fuel wood harvesting, overgrazing and urbanisation are destroying Ayubia National Park
August 13, 2017
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1480650/beautiful-ayubias-trees-animals-will-gone-not-conserved
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Pakistan’s fast disappearing forests
February 25, 2014
The forest change for Pakistan is an eye-opener because the total tree cover loss between 2000 and 2013 is a lot.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/676010/pakistans-fast-disappearing-forests
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Identifying the socio-economic factors of deforestation and degradation: a case study in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
11 November 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10708-020-10332-y
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Deforestation in Pakistan
https://arslansarwar.org/deforestation-in-pakistan/
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Pakistan - no response to flood, drought, deforestation crisis
6th August 2014
https://theecologist.org/2014/aug/06/pakistan-no-response-flood-drought-deforestation-crisis
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Govt targets ‘zero deforestation’ in Pakistan
July 2021
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/asia/pakistan/govt-targets-zero-deforestation-in-pakistan/ar-AALYPRs
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In Pakistan, a once-threatened pine tree is staging a comeback
05 Jun 2021
https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/pakistan-once-threatened-pine-tree-staging-comeback
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Forestry in Pakistan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forestry_in_Pakistan
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Gas shortages risk reversing ambitious push to expand Pakistan's forests
June 11, 2017
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-gas-deforestation-idUSKBN19304E
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Unlocking the Potential of Biomass Energy in Pakistan
2019
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2019.00024/full
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Increasing domestic gas availability in Pakistan
May 14, 2015
https://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/increasing-domestic-gas-availability-pakistan
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Another Sri Lanka In The Making? Pakistan On Brink Of Economic Ruin | Insight | Full Episode
Jul 19, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiAyaPsuy3Y
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Section 8: Illegal Mining & Nuclear Waste
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Illegal mining for Chinese market fuels Taliban in Afghanistan
July 4, 2016
China can help reduce conflict driven by mining of lapis lazuli in northern Afghanistan, writes Stephen Carter
https://chinadialogue.net/en/business/9067-illegal-mining-for-chinese-market-fuels-taliban-in-afghanistan/
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Pakistan gives kudos to China for building top infrastructure while US wages ‘futile war’ in Afghanistan
2019
Imran Khan offers praise for Chinese focus on first-world facilities
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3030791/pakistan-gives-kudos-china-building-top-infrastructure-while
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Imran Khan's Journey from Cricketing Playboy to Politician
Sep 1, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui_oECjOoCE
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Taliban Ramp Up Mining In Southern Afghan Region
May 20, 2019
https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/taliban-ramp-up-mining-in-southern-afghan-region/29952965.html
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Illegal tourmaline mining continues unabated
May 18, 2014
https://mines.pajhwok.com/news/illegal-tourmaline-mining-continues-unabated
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Does Afghanistan’s New Mining Law Benefit Its Mafias?
2014
After
years of delay, Afghanistan’s parliament finally passed a new mining
law, the Law on Mining 2014. On Aug. 16, Afghan President Hamid Karzai
signed the law into being. Yet experts say the law lacks safeguards
against corruption and is likely to facilitate the creeping control of
the sector by armed groups, oligarchs, and monopolies ...
https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/09/03/does-afghanistans-new-mining-law-benefit-its-mafias/
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Balochistan: Pakistan Extends Chinese Mining Contract for 15 Years
Jul 16, 2020
https://unpo.org/article/21986
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Corporate court gives Pakistan temporary reprieve on $5.8 billion fine for cancelling mining contract
September 2020
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/corporate-court-gives-pakistan-temporary-reprieve-58-billion-fine-cancelling-mining-contract
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Pakistan Gives Illegal Gold, Uranium Mining Contracts To China In India's Gilgit Baltistan Territory
Aug 12, 2020
Pakistan,
in violation of international laws and defiance of its own
Constitution, has given a free hand to Chinese mining companies to
plunder natural resources in the occupied Gilgit Baltistan (GB) area
Read
more at:
https://www.southasiamonitor.org/china-watch/pakistan-awarding-illegal-gold-uranium-mining-contracts-china-gilgit-baltistan
https://swarajyamag.com/insta/pakistan-gives-illegal-gold-uranium-mining-contracts-to-china-in-indias-gilgit-baltistan-territory
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Pakistan Allows Illegal Chinese Mining In GB
August 20, 2020
https://www.weeklyvoice.com/pakistan-allows-illegal-chinese-mining-in-gb/
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Pakistan inaugurates Chinese-made nuclear power plant in Karachi
May 21, 2021
https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/05/pakistan-inaugurates-chinese-made-nuclear-power-plant-in-karachi/
Pakistan
and China have a unique relationship because the countries share an
emotional attachment, Prime Minister Imran Khan said.
Speaking at
the inauguration ceremony of the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2, he
said that the friendship between the neighbouring countries has
progressed to people-to-people contact.
The new nuclear project
in the city was launched on the 70th anniversary of the Pakistan-China
friendship. It will generate 1,100 megawatts of electricity and clean
energy for Pakistan.
“This (K-2) is important because Pakistan is
among the 10 countries most affected by climate change and global
warming,” the PM said. “Pakistan’s glaciers produce 80% water supply for
the country and they are melting rapidly.”
If we don’t take
action now, our future generations will face huge challenges, he pointed
out. “Through the project, the manpower in the country will be trained
and China’s technology will be transferred into Pakistan.”
PM
Khan highlighted a number of things Pakistan can learn from China such
as population control, pollution control, and poverty alleviation.
“Ever
since his rise to power, China’s president has punished over 400
ministers on charges of corruption,” he said, adding that the country
has shown that a nation can only progress when its justice system is
non-discriminatory.
We are lucky to have a neighbour who has
grown to become one of the top superpowers of the world and Pakistan
will benefit from that.
The premier added that CPEC, which
started with the aim to enhance connectivity, has grown to benefit
Pakistan in other sectors such as agriculture as well.
He lauded the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and expressed to reaffirm Pakistan’s 70-year old diplomatic ties with China.
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What will be the consequences for Pakistan if they not pay the loan amount taken from China for CPEC?
https://www.quora.com/What-will-be-the-consequences-for-Pakistan-if-they-not-pay-the-loan-amount-taken-from-China-for-CPEC?share=1
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Pakistan gives contracts for dam on Indus to Chinese firm
2017
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-gives-contracts-for-dam-on-indus-to-chinese-firm/article17434257.ece
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Are Pakistan’s Nuclear Assets Under Threat?
2016
Pakistan is at risk from nuclear terrorism — but not in the way you think.
https://thediplomat.com/2016/04/are-pakistans-nuclear-assets-under-threat/
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Assessing Pakistan’s Position In Theft Category of NTI Index Report 2020
August 17, 2020
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/08/17/assessing-pakistans-position-in-theft-category-of-nti-index-report-2020/
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Storing up trouble: Pakistan's nuclear bombs
Feb 2, 2011
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/feb/03/pakistan-nuclear-bombs-editorial
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Pakistan’s Tactical Nuclear Weapons A Bigger Threat To Pakistan Itself Than India: OpEd
April 12, 2020
https://eurasiantimes.com/pakistans-tactical-nuclear-weapons-a-big-threat-to-both-india-and-pakistan-itself-oped/
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Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction
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Climate change and nuclear conflict between India, Pakistan are real dangers. They need to be addressed
October 22, 2019
The
trigger for a major conflict lies clearly in Pakistan, and this should
be made clear to them through diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, our own
hyper-triumphalism should not propel us in a direction that would
directly lead to a conflict.
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/climate-change-india-pakistan-nuclear-conflict-kashmir-special-status-article-370-paris-accord-6080912/
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A "Limited" Nuclear War Between India and Pakistan? We Could All Die.
June 18, 2021
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/limited-nuclear-war-between-india-and-pakistan-we-could-all-die-188156
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India–Pakistan relations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pakistani_relations
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Pakistan’s geopolitical dilemmas continue to pile up
Apr 15, 2021
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/pakistans-geopolitical-dilemmas-continue-to-pile-up/articleshow/82079885.cms
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Can Pakistan and Bangladesh Be Friends?
August 26, 2020
China
and Turkey are providing the opportunity for Pakistan to sit with
Bangladesh again. Islamabad must do so with sincerity and
self-reflection.
https://thediplomat.com/2020/08/can-pakistan-and-bangladesh-be-friends/
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Pakistan using smugglers and its underworld for planning attack in India through sea route: Intel agencies
Apr 24, 2020
https://zeenews.india.com/world/pakistan-using-smugglers-and-its-underworld-for-planning-attack-in-india-through-sea-route-intel-agencies-2278785.html
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Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Mineral Resources in Sindh. Pakistan.
August 23, 2007
https://farzanapanhwar.blogspot.com/2007/08/economic-and-environmental.html
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Granite extraction in Karoonjhar Mountain in Sindh, Pakistan
2019
The
minister’s directives and the earlier letter of his department’s
official carry no weight as it appears from their wording that ‘they
just want to stop ‘illegal mining and lifting’ of granite, contrary to
the demands of civil society organizations who want complete ban on
mining of granite at Karonjhar Mountain. This means that despite of
Supreme Court order FWO is doing excavation from Karoonjhar Mountains.
The mining minister in his letter have not even mentioned the Frontier
Works Organization (FWO) engaged in mining of granite for many years,
and reportedly blast the mountain by dynamites. “Some influential local
people are engaged in mining of granite by excavation but the FWO uses
dynamites to blast the mountain,” Faiz Khoso, a local journalist of
Nagarparkar told on the phone. Sindhi Daily, which he represents, has
also published such reports. According to him, eight to ten trucks
transport the granite stones daily.
https://ejatlas.org/print/granite-extraction-in-karoonjhar-mountain-in-sindh-pakistan
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Several villages protest against illegal mining
February 24, 2021
https://pakobserver.net/several-villages-protest-against-illegal-mining/
Residents
of village Bagra No.2, Bandi Bala, Akhun Di Bani and others Tuesday
staged a protest rally against the illegal stone crushing plant which
has destroyed their agrarian land at Baldher.
According to the
details, the protestors of several villages have demanded from the
provincial government to permanently shift stone crushing plants from
the residential areas, the protestors while speaking claimed that their
32000 Kanal land has been desolated by the legal and illegal stone
crushing plants that are working in River Door.
They said that
hundreds of the people have been unemployed and owners of precious
agricultural land are facing huge losses as agriculture in the area has
been stopped due to pollution caused by the stone-crushing plants.
For
the last, one decade legal and illegal stone crushing all over the
Hazara division is a huge problem for the people, tourism, agriculture
and the environment.
Stone crushing plants and blasting in various areas of the Hazara division has become a nightmare for the nearby people.
Many people have been injured and several houses have been damaged by the stone which fell on the houses owing to blast mining.
Despite
the supreme court of Pakistan’s verdict against blast mining, during
the last five years, many people have been injured and houses have been
damaged by the blasting in the area of district Haripur, Abbottabad,
Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.
Many localities of
Abbottabad and Haripur districts have also been protested against the
blasting mining including the famous mining area of Tarhanna where
buildings of the whole village have been damaged by the blasting and
precious forests has been vanished.
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Chief Minister’s Office marks probe into Bathinda ‘illegal’ mining
Jul 01, 2021
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/chief-ministers-office-marks-probe-into-bathinda-illegal-mining-276544
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Illegal mining continues in KP despite PTI govt claims to the contrary: report
January 27, 2018
https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/01/27/illegal-mining-continues-in-kp-despite-pti-govt-claims-to-the-contrary-report/
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Illegal blasting, mining banned, stone crushing machines sealed in Kohat
January 10, 2018
https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/01/10/illegal-blasting-mining-banned-stone-crushing-machines-sealed-in-kohat/
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PTI continues illegal mining at Tangi Mines?
August 3, 2017
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/220999-PTI-continues-illegal-mining-at-Tangi-Mines
PESHAWAR:
Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in connivance with the KP government,
has been carrying out mining of minerals worth billions of rupees from
Tangi Mines.
The Tangi Mines scandal surfaced in 2015, but the KP
government has neither cancelled the contract nor re-auctioned the
mines. The contract for Tangi Mines is with Jalal Khattak, a relative of
CM Parvez Khattak.
When the Tangi Mines scandal surfaced, the
KP Ehtesab Commission on July 9, 2015, arrested Minister for Mines
Ziaullah Afridi and former DG Mines Liaquat and a secretary. Rs03
billion reference was filed against Afridi, but he got relief from the
court. Despite the scandal and court case, illegal mining continues at
Tangi Mines, which have chromites, asbestos, nephsite, quartz, jade and
stone metal.
These minerals were exported to China and millions
of rupees were earned. In Switzerland and South Africa such minerals
make up for 75 percent of the budget. Afridi told The News that if he
was involved in corruption, why the KP government has not yet cancelled
the contract. He said illegal mining is going on even today.
Owner
of mines, Arshad Bacha said that mines are in the name of his cousin
Jalal Khattak, who lives in Dubai. He said no illegal mining is going on
in his area. Capt (r) Hamid Kamal, another candidate, said that
illegal mining has been causing a loss of billions of rupees to national
exchequer, adding that the court has given decision in his favour but
some influential people are a hurdle in the way of implementation of
this decision.
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CDA head summoned over illegal mining in Margalla Hills
May 10, 2017
https://dailytimes.com.pk/12170/cda-head-summoned-over-illegal-mining-in-margalla-hills/
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Pakistan Slapped With A $6 Billion Fine In Mining Case
July 14, 2019
https://www.kitco.com/news/2019-07-14/Pakistan-Slapped-With-A-6-Billion-Fine-In-Mining-Case.html
Pakistan
has been ordered to pay nearly $6 billion in damages by a World Bank
arbitration court to Tethyan Copper, a joint venture between Chile’s
Antofagasta and Canada’s Barrick Gold.
The World Bank’s
International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) made
the ruling in favor of Tethyan Copper back in 2017 but announced the
amount in damages owned only on July 12.
The fine consists of a
penalty totaling $4.08 billion and interest amounting to $1.87 billion.
Tethyan Copper sought $11.43 billion in damages. The arbitration court
is yet to release all the details about its ruling.
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Pakistan seeking relief from $5.8B fine over mining lease
September 7, 2020
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/sep/7/pakistan-seeking-relief-from-58b-fine-over-mining-/
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Illegal mining in Punjab: JCBs, trucks operate near banks of Ravi, but Independent candidate’s plaint dismissed
May 8, 2019
There
are no legal mines functional in Pathankot for almost last one year.
However, according to Gagandeep, mining officer Pathankot, there are
total 220 crushers in Pathankot and 120 of them are fully functional.
https://indianexpress.com/elections/illegal-mining-in-punjab-jcbs-trucks-operate-near-banks-of-ravi-but-independent-candidates-plaint-dismissed-5716133/
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Illegal mining ruinous for Ujh Bridge
20/01/2021
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/illegal-mining-ruinous-for-ujh-bridge/
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Black money: Radha Timblo had illegal Goa mines and a Pakistan connection (Corrected)
October 27, 2014
Radha
Timblo, one of the names revealed by the centre on illegal accounts
held abroad, was involved in Goa mining, including a mine belonging to a
Pakistani citizen. The mine was allowed to be operated by Congress CM
Digambar Kamat
https://www.firstpost.com/india/black-money-radha-timblo-had-illegal-goa-mines-and-a-pakistan-connection-1774269.html
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Despite ban, illegal mining in full-swing in Charsadda
November 26, 2020
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/749424-despite-ban-illegal-mining-in-full-swing-in-charsadda
CHARSADDA: Illegal mining of precious mines and minerals is continuing despite the ban for the last two years in the district.
It
is causing huge losses to the provincial exchequer every year. Sources
said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was losing Rs157.13 million
per annum due to the ban on mining and flawed policies to boost the
sector in Charsadda. They said that there were substantial mine and
mineral reserves on 13,000 acres of land in Charsadda, the native
district of Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Mines and
Minerals Arif Ahmadzai.
However, they said mining could not be
carried out for the last two years owing to the ban and non-existence of
specific policies to promote the sector along modern lines.
The
sources also said that illegal mining at 15 mine reserves in Charsadda
had become order of the day. It has caused huge losses to the government
and destroyed the mining sector as well.
____________
Rajasthan HC issues notice on illegal mining hazard near Indo-Pak border
FEB 05, 2021
It is also alleged that the state government was issuing permits for
excavation of minerals at some areas situated barely one km away from
the international borders.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rajasthan-hc-issues-notice-on-illegal-mining-hazard-near-indo-pak-border-101612508504399.html
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Group says illegal rare earth mining by Chinese jumps in Myanmar
17/05/2021
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/group-says-illegal-rare-earth-mining-by-chinese-jumps-in-myanmar/ar-BB1gP6wc
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Disputed Waters: India, Pakistan and the Transboundary Rivers
October 21, 2016
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2321023016665529
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TRANSBOUNDARY POLLUTION PROBLEMS AND WATER VULNERABILITY ACROSS INTERNATIONAL BORDERS
2011
https://pecongress.org.pk/images/upload/books/Transboundary%20Polution%20Problems%20and%20Water%20Vulnerability%20Acro.pdf
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China, South Asia ignore UN watercourses convention
August 18, 2014
The
UN Convention on International Watercourses comes into effect this
week: thethirdpole.net asks experts if it can lower regional frictions
over access to water
Water has long been a source of tension in
Asia. Ten major rivers originate on the Tibetan plateau in China,
supplying water to roughly 1.4 billion people along their banks. But
there are no multilateral agreements about how this water should be
shared.
Ambitious hydropower plans in China and India have raised
objections from other countries. As industrial growth demands more
water, and climate change makes supplies erratic, tensions may easily
heat up.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational
Uses of International Watercourses came into effect on August 17,
setting up the first global legal framework for cooperation over water
resources between countries. It came into effect 90 days after the 35th
country, Vietnam, signed the convention. However, it took 50 years to
draft the Convention and gather support from enough member states to
implement it.
China voted against the Convention when it was
first passed in 1997, as did Turkey and Burundi. India abstained. Given
this background, how effective can it be? We asked seven regional
experts.
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/china-south-asia-ignore-un-watercourses-convention/
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Section 9: Violence, Crime & Corruption
____________
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Understanding Pakistan's deadly trade of terrorism
NOVEMBER 7, 2020
The
Pakistan Army, the civilian government of Imran Khan and non-state
terrorist outfits are hand in glove in the deadly trade of terrorism.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/understanding-pakistans-deadly-trade-of-terrorism-648349
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Eradicating suicide terrorism in Pakistan
Oct 30, 2015
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Nuclear Terrorism and Pakistan
August 6, 2018
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2018/08/06/nuclear-terrorism-and-pakistan/
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Pakistan’s Tactical Nuclear Weapons A Bigger Threat To Pakistan Itself Than India: OpEd
April 12, 2020
https://eurasiantimes.com/pakistans-tactical-nuclear-weapons-a-big-threat-to-both-india-and-pakistan-itself-oped/
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Why the world must worry about Pakistan's nuclear arsenal
March 26, 2012
https://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-the-world-must-worry-about-pakistans-nuclear-arsenal/20120326.htm
____________
Can Pakistan and Bangladesh Be Friends?
August 26, 2020
China
and Turkey are providing the opportunity for Pakistan to sit with
Bangladesh again. Islamabad must do so with sincerity and
self-reflection.
https://thediplomat.com/2020/08/can-pakistan-and-bangladesh-be-friends/
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Pakistan rejects Indian denial of involvement in terrorist attack in Lahore
July 9, 2021
https://arynews.tv/pakistan-india-involvement-terrorist-attack-lahore-blast/
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US Fingerprints on Terrorism Aimed At China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
23 July, 2021
https://williambowles.info/2021/07/28/us-fingerprints-on-terrorism-aimed-at-china-pakistan-economic-corridor/
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Pakistan must stop supporting terrorism to promote cultural peace in South Asia: India
December 3, 2020
"If
Pakistan changes its current culture of hatred against religions in
India and stops its support of cross-border terrorism against our
people, we can attempt a genuine culture of peace in South Asia and
beyond," First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Ashish
Sharma said.
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Pakistan says traces of explosives detected in bus blast probe; terrorism can't be ruled out
Jul 15, 2021
https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-says-traces-of-explosives-detected-in-bus-blast-probe-terrorism-cant-be-ruled-out-398306
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A New Wave of Terrorism in Pakistan
July 14, 2020
https://nation.com.pk/14-Jul-2020/a-new-wave-of-terrorism-in-pakistan
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Sanction Pakistan As State Sponsor Of Terror
Feb 23, 2017
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Pakistan allegedly using drones to resupply terrorist groups
26/07/2021
https://guardingindia.com/diplomacy/pakistan-allegedly-using-drones-to-resupply-terrorist-groups/
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Pakistan's Role in the Kashmir Insurgency
September 1, 2001
Peter
Chalk investigates the extent of Pakistan's support for groups in
Kashmir and how this assistance has impacted on the course and
development of the conflict.
Over the past two years, increased
attention has focused on Pakistan as a significant force behind the
growth of Islamic radicalism and extremism in Kashmir. The US State
Department's most recent report on Patterns of Global Terrorism,
released in April 2001, specifically identifies Islamabad as the chief
sponsor of militant groups fighting in the disputed Indo-Pakistani
region. The same conclusion was reached in an earlier report by the
National Commission on Terrorism and reflects current thinking in most
US and Western policy-making and intelligence circles...
https://www.rand.org/blog/2001/09/pakistans-role-in-the-kashmir-insurgency.html
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Biggest sponsor of cross-border terrorism, Pakistan ‘masquerading’ as victim, India tells UN
August 25, 2020
____________
Is Pakistan Really Cracking Down on Terrorism?
1/31/15
https://www.mintpressnews.com/america-gives-aid-pakistan-pakistan-gives-terrorism-world/199921/
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Pakistan is 'epicenter of Islamic terrorism'
May 5, 2010
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/05/05/zakaria.pakistan.terror/index.html
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'Facilitators and supporters': Pakistan's 'links' With Terrorist Attacks Across The World Uncovered In New Documentary
21st June, 2021
https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/pakistan-news/pakistans-links-with-terrorist-attacks-across-the-world-uncovered-in-new-documentary.html
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Gravitas LIVE | Poland Missile strike: Ukraine & allies clash in public | Global Headlines | WION
Nov 17, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcDrbDo9y1o
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Pakistan reopens Afghan crossing shut after border hostilities
November 21, 2022
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-reopens-afghan-crossing-shut-after-border-hostilities-2022-11-21/
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Pakistan records 51% rise in terror attacks in one year after..
Oct 20, 2022
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-records-51-rise-in-terror-attacks-in-one-year-after-taliban-got-power-in-afghanistan-report/articleshow/94981466.cms
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Taliban kill 10 climbers, including American, on mountain in Pakistan
June 23, 2013
https://www.denverpost.com/2013/06/23/taliban-kill-10-climbers-including-american-on-mountain-in-pakistan/
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China Invests In Taliban's Afghanistan: A Friend In Need? | Insight | Full Episode
Oct 11, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNl-Y6_QeHM
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Visiting The World's Most Dangerous Country 🇦🇫 ( Afghanistan 2022 )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Nba4MMBAU
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Does Afghanistan have a future?
Aug 22, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z0j6Pt7yaM
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Pakistan: A political crisis and a polarised media | The Listening Post
Apr 23, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pebS28hWXGs
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How PAKISTAN committed SUICIDE with its ECONOMY? : Pakistani Economic Crisis case study
Apr 19, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGpTBKbGcQ8
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Comment: Pakistan’s policymakers must address climate migration
August 13, 2021
Pakistani communities, especially women, are becoming more vulnerable to disaster-driven displacement. Gender-sensitive resilience measures and relief policies must become part of the national discourse
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/comment-pakistans-policymakers-must-address-climate-migration/
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Militants attack checkpoint in Pakistan, killing at least 7
December 27, 2020
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/militants-attack-checkpoint-pakistan-killing-123256281.html
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The antagonism towards Malala in Pakistan
10 October 2014
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29568637
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PAKISTAN: 52 illegal torture and detention centres identified
June 4, 2008
http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-158-2008/
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has collected details of detention and torture centres in Pakistan, where missing persons are held for long periods of time in order to force them to confess their involvement in terrorist and sabotage activities. The information about the places of illegal detention was collected from the persons who were detained in these centres for several years after arrest. Their whereabouts were never made known to their family members.
Now journalists, human rights organisations and the families of the victims gathered and contributed information to reveal the places of detention of these ‘missing persons’. Persons released from these centres are often abandoned on the roadside. Many of them were released after the active interventions of the higher judiciary, particularly by deposed Chief Justice Mr. Iftekhar Choudry.
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Pakistan Lifts YouTube Ban For 3 Minutes, Finds More Blasphemy
December 30, 2012
https://politics.slashdot.org/story/12/12/30/2155214/pakistan-lifts-youtube-ban-for-3-minutes-finds-more-blasphemy
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Gravitas LIVE | Chinese Covid: Was the US an instrument in the cover-up? | Latest News | WION
Dec 6, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x--pMEOAlPo
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'Every year we dig mass graves': the slaughter of Pakistan’s Hazara
Decades
of persecution has left the Shia minority with little space left in its
graveyards but prime minister Imran Khan is in no hurry to listen
April 2021
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/apr/05/mass-graves-pakistan-shia-minority-hazara-slaughter-imran-khan
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The Lost Children of Alexander the Great: A Journey to the Pagan Kalash People of Pakistan
02/21/2014
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pagan-kalash-people-of-pakistan_b_4811627
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The Kalash – The White Tribe of Pakistan
16 October 2021
https://www.kuriositas.com/2012/07/the-kalash-white-tribe-of-pakistan.html
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Kalash People The White Tribe of Pakistan
Nov 15, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRDDtiO0P58
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An Uncertain Future for the Kalash People of Pakistan (2003)
May 13, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv8an_dWTuE
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Are Pashtuns the white people of Pakistan?
2018
https://www.quora.com/Are-Pashtuns-the-white-people-of-Pakistan
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European Pakistanis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Pakistanis
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MEETING WHITE PEOPLE IN PAKISTAN #Vlog
Mar 3, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_-W43g_55E
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Why Some Pakistani People are Fair and White with blonde hair?
https://skardu.pk/northern-pakistani-people-fair-white-others/
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Why do so many Pakistanis have white skin and green eyes/light eyes but Indians do not?
https://www.quora.com/Why-do-so-many-Pakistanis-have-white-skin-and-green-eyes-light-eyes-but-Indians-do-not?share=1
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Kalash people
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalash_people
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See Medieval Forts Hidden Among Pakistan's Towering Mountains
June 15, 2018
Known for its natural beauty, the mountainous region of northern Pakistan is also home to a rich cultural heritage.
Medieval Forts Restored as Spectacular Hunza Valley Builds Its Future
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/gilgit-baltistan-hunza-valley-altit-baltit-fort
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Hunza Valley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunza_Valley
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Climate change likely caused migration, demise of ancient Indus Valley civilization
Nov 13, 2018
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Ancient History - The Lost City of the Indus Civilisation | Free Documentary History
Dec 6, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bswB_kFqgo4
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Mysterious & Bizarre Discoveries
Dec 6, 2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24732884/
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Ancient Kalash People in Remote Pakistan Hit by Climate Change, Deforestation
September 13, 2018
https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/ancient-kalash-people-in-remote-pakistan-hit-by-climate-change-deforestation
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Does Pakistan have a population control problem like China and India?
https://www.quora.com/Does-Pakistan-have-a-population-control-problem-like-China-and-India?share=1
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OverPopulation in Pakistan, Causes, Effects and measures
April 24, 2012
https://ahsankhaneco.blogspot.com/2012/04/over-population-in-pakistan-causes.html
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Could Indians? Pakistanis/Bangladeshis succeed in MMA?
2013
https://forums.sherdog.com/threads/could-indians-pakistanis-bangladeshis-succeed-in-mma.2613989/
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Melanocytic nevus density in Asian, Indo-Pakistani, and white children
1992
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1430379/
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Melanocytic nevus density in Asian, Indo-Pakistani, and white children: the Vancouver Mole Study
1991
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1918489/
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Pakistan's Chiatibo glacier is melting fast. This royal visit aims to raise awareness
Oct 17, 2019
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/10/pakistan-glacier-royal-visit/
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Kate Middleton Is 'Impressed' by Prince William's Geography Skills While Highlighting Climate Change
October 16, 2019
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Pakistan: Climate change puts government in a bind
09/08/2020
https://www.dw.com/en/climate-change-puts-pakistan-in-a-bind/a-54849791
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The crisis of water shortage and pollution in Pakistan: risk to public health, biodiversity, and ecosystem
2019
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs11356-019-04483-w.pdf
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Farmer sues Pakistan's government to demand action on climate change
November 13, 2015
https://www.reuters.com/article/pakistan-climatechange-lawsuit-idUSL8N1383YJ20151113
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Pakistan Not Invited to Climate Leaders’ Summit Hosted by US President
However, analysts downplay the significance of what is surely going to be perceived as a snub in Islamabad.
March 31, 2021
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Why was Pakistan left out of Biden’s climate summit?
Given
that Pakistan is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the
world, Washington shouldn’t write it out of the climate change
cooperation script
April 18, 2021
https://chinadialogue.net/en/climate/why-was-pakistan-left-out-of-bidens-climate-summit/
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Comment: Pakistan’s policymakers must address climate migration
August 13, 2021
Pakistani
communities, especially women, are becoming more vulnerable to
disaster-driven displacement. Gender-sensitive resilience measures and
relief policies must become part of the national discourse
https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/comment-pakistans-policymakers-must-address-climate-migration/
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Pakistan awarding illegal gold, uranium mining contracts to China in Gilgit-Baltistan
Pakistan, in violation of international laws and defiance of its own Constitution, has given a free hand to Chinese mining companies to plunder natural resources in the occupied Gilgit Baltistan (GB) area
Aug 13, 2020
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Pakistan Allows Illegal Chinese Mining In GB
August 20, 2020
New Delhi: Pakistan, in violation of international laws and defiance of its own Constitution, has given a free hand to Chinese mining companies to plunder natural resources in the occupied Gilgit Baltistan (GB) area.
Islamabad has also signed a multi-billion dollar contract with Beijing to build a mega-dam in the Daimer division, an area that legally belongs to India.
Over 2,000 leases for mining of gold, uranium, and molybdenum have been illegally awarded to Chinese firms by the Pakistan government in Gilgit and Baltistan, also known as Northern Areas.
The Imran Khan government has thrown environmental norms to the wind while allotting these illegal mining contracts revealed Nasir Aziz Khan, exiled leader and Chief Spokesperson of United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP).
“We will expose Pakistan’s conspiracy to plunder natural resources in the forthcoming convention of the United Nations in Geneva, next month,” Aziz told IANS over the phone.
Citing article 257 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Aziz said that the government in Islamabad has no right to plunder natural resources in GB.
“Rules are being blatantly flouted. The media cannot report. People who raise voice in GB are being punished. In such given circumstances when no one can oppose any decision, natural resources are being looted. Pakistan is playing into the hands of China,” Aziz said.
“Local people are not consulted. Their interests have been totally ignored. The move to oblige China in the GB area also violates international laws,” the UKPMP leader who lives in Geneva, Switzerland added.“
https://www.weeklyvoice.com/pakistan-allows-illegal-chinese-mining-in-gb/
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Several villages protest against illegal mining
February 24, 2021
Residents of village Bagra No.2, Bandi Bala, Akhun Di Bani and others Tuesday staged a protest rally against the illegal stone crushing plant which has destroyed their agrarian land at Baldher.
According to the details, the protestors of several villages have demanded from the provincial government to permanently shift stone crushing plants from the residential areas, the protestors while speaking claimed that their 32000 Kanal land has been desolated by the legal and illegal stone crushing plants that are working in River Door.
They said that hundreds of the people have been unemployed and owners of precious agricultural land are facing huge losses as agriculture in the area has been stopped due to pollution caused by the stone-crushing plants.
For the last, one decade legal and illegal stone crushing all over the Hazara division is a huge problem for the people, tourism, agriculture and the environment.
Stone crushing plants and blasting in various areas of the Hazara division has become a nightmare for the nearby people.
Many people have been injured and several houses have been damaged by the stone which fell on the houses owing to blast mining.
Despite the supreme court of Pakistan’s verdict against blast mining, during the last five years, many people have been injured and houses have been damaged by the blasting in the area of district Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.
Many localities of Abbottabad and Haripur districts have also been protested against the blasting mining including the famous mining area of Tarhanna where buildings of the whole village have been damaged by the blasting and precious forests has been vanished.
https://pakobserver.net/several-villages-protest-against-illegal-mining/
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Pakistan Slapped With A $6 Billion Fine In Mining Case
July 14, 2019
https://www.kitco.com/news/2019-07-14/Pakistan-Slapped-With-A-6-Billion-Fine-In-Mining-Case.html
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China gave open exemption to illegal mining in Gilgit-Baltistan, signed a contract of billions of dollars
August 12, 2020
https://www.patrika.com/asia-news/pakistan-gives-contract-for-illegal-mining-to-china-6335223/
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What Are The Major Natural Resources Of Pakistan?
July 30 2019
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-major-natural-resources-of-pakistan.html
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Pakistan Wants You To Know: Most Pink Himalayan Salt Doesn't Come From India
October 3, 2019
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Kumrat valley — the hidden gem of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Kumrat valley is one of the most beautiful and unexplored parts of KP and is fast becoming victim to rampant commercialisation.
Published 16 Sep, 2020
https://www.dawn.com/news/1578925
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Illegal mining continues in KP despite PTI govt claims to the contrary: report
January 27, 2018
PESHAWAR: Illegal digging and mining continues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s claims to the contrary, according to a report by a private media outlet.
Even in Nowshera, the district of the chief minister, illegal mining is going on and at least Rs303.429 million losses have been caused to the national exchequer due to illegal digging and mining only in Nowshera. The Supreme Court has already taken notice of the situation and during a hearing recently, the chief secretary was imposed Rs50,000 over failure to stop the illegal activity.
According to the report, more than 1.564 million tonnes of minerals in Nowshera were mined illegally till July 20, 2017. The minerals included sand used in buildings construction and 243,191 tonnes of cement and limestone.
There is also a possibility of at least 782,303-tonne more minerals including building sand being illegally dug out in the coming days, which might inflict losses worth Rs54.761 million on the national kitty. Also, 797347-tonne limestone and cement-stone could be excavated causing further losses of Rs55.814 million to the national exchequer.
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Illegal blasting, mining banned, stone crushing machines sealed in Kohat
January 10, 2018
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Black money: Radha Timblo had illegal Goa mines and a Pakistan connection (Corrected)
October 27, 2014
Radha Timblo, one of the names revealed by the centre on illegal accounts held abroad, was involved in Goa mining, including a mine belonging to a Pakistani citizen. The mine was allowed to be operated by Congress CM Digambar Kamat
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Pakistan seeking relief from $5.8B fine over mining lease
September 7, 2020
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/sep/7/pakistan-seeking-relief-from-58b-fine-over-mining-/
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Pakistan condemns killing of Kashmiri boy in illegal custody of Indian occupation forces
06 Jun, 2021
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40098113
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Pakistan sends in armed force to stop logging in northern forests
1 April 2021
* Pakistan loses about 27,000 hectares of trees per year
* Demand for wood is three times higher than sustainable supply
* Illegal logging in Gilgit-Baltistan has fallen since deployment
https://news.trust.org/item/20210401091755-nvewu
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In battle with 'land mafia', Pakistan targets win for forests and climate
March 21, 2019
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-environment-forests-feature-idUSKCN1R21CW
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FEATURE-Pakistan sends in armed force to stop logging in northern forests
April, 2021
https://www.reuters.com/article/pakistan-forests-military-idUSL8N2L831A
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Pakistan Timber Mafia
But it is not only the matter of response but also that of cause which implicates the state of Pakistan. In the last few years, environmental groups, activists and journalists have talked repeatedly of the power of the timber mafia, which has a particularly strong hold on the areas now affected by flooding. One of the most powerful and ruthless organisations within Pakistan, the timber mafia engages in illegal logging, which is estimated to be worth billions of rupees each year – the group's connection to politicians at the local and federal level has been commented on in the media for years. The constant warnings about the timber mafia almost always include mention of the increased susceptibility of de-forested regions to flooding, landslides and soil erosion. But, in the way that horror tends to pile on horror in Pakistan, not only has the flooding been intense in areas where the timber mafia is active but the felled trees, hidden in ravines prior to smuggling them onwards, have caused havoc. Dislodged by torrents of water, they have swept away bridges and people and anything else in their path.
https://sasecurity.fandom.com/wiki/Pakistan_Timber_Mafia
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Pakistan's politicians fail to protect environment - rights group
29 April 2014
https://news.trust.org/item/20140428185713-v86hn/
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Pakistan is on its way to planting 10 billion trees. Here’s how
8 June 2021
https://news.globallandscapesforum.org/52934/pakistan-is-on-its-way-to-planting-10-billion-tree-tsunami-heres-how/
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Pakistan Government to plant 10 billion trees to protect against floods from melting glaciers
August 10, 2018
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Pakistan’s emergence as a new climate protection leader
Due
to its efforts towards climate protection, Pakistan was given hosting
rights by the UN on World Environment Day. However, the restoration of
the environment is not the sole responsibility of Pakistan and a global
effort is needed.
7 June 2021
https://www.globalvillagespace.com/pakistans-emergence-as-a-new-climate-protection-leader/
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Deforestation in Pakistan explained using the issue attention cycle
2019
https://www.grin.com/document/510293
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World Bank doesn’t want Pakistan to pursue the Kishanganga Dam dispute
8 June 2018
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Pakistan's $100B deal with China: What does it amount to?
24 August 2017
https://www.devex.com/news/pakistan-s-100b-deal-with-china-what-does-it-amount-to-90872
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Q. Is China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) facing a backlash in Pakistan?
____________
Tectonic Frame work of Pakistan and history of tectonic movement of Indian eurasian plate
Aug 16, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6L2vhdo4Qg
____________
Poor water management costing Pakistan billions: Report
A new World Bank report says water wastage is high in Pakistan’s agriculture sector
February 06, 2019
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A LITERATURE REVIEW ON ALKALI SILICA REACTIVITY OF CONCRETE IN PAKISTAN.
Mar 31, 2016
https://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+LITERATURE+REVIEW+ON+ALKALI+SILICA+REACTIVITY+OF+CONCRETE+IN...-a0448247344
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Cities in India, Pakistan most polluted, desertification affects China's air
28-Feb-2020
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-02-28/Cities-in-India-Pakistan-most-polluted-desertification-impacts-China-OrVzi8JbQA/index.html
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When Do Terrorism Sanctions on Pakistan Begin?
Jul 1, 2021
https://news.clearancejobs.com/2021/07/01/when-do-terrorism-sanctions-on-pakistan-begin/
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China wishes to shift industries to Pakistan: Iqbal
November 12, 2015
Planning minister speaks on sidelines of CPEC Joint Coordination Committee meeting
https://tribune.com.pk/story/990340/china-wishes-to-shift-industries-to-pakistan-iqbal
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Pakistan, China To Set Up Free Trade Area (FTA)
https://www.scribd.com/document/20292182/Pakistan-China-to-set-up-free-trade-area-FTA
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Importance of CPEC for Pakistan and China
The
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is more than just a $47 billion
dollar investment. It will not only improve Pakistan’s current
situation, but promises to improve the lives of nearly three billion
people across the region as part of the larger Chinese vision of a grand
Silk Road Economic Belt, which stretches across Asia through the Middle
East and connects to Europe.
October 12, 2020
https://www.pakistanfront.pk/importance-of-cpec-for-pakistan-and-china/
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Unmasking the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
12 May 2021
https://grain.org/en/article/6669-unmasking-the-china-pakistan-economic-corridor
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Chinese men arrested for pushing women from Pakistan into prostitution, forced organ harvesting: Reports
Jun 22, 2019
The Human Rights Watch had called the reports of trafficking of Pakistani women and girls to China as alarming.
https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/chinese-men-arrested-for-pushing-women-from-pakistan-into-prostitution-forced-organ-harvesting-reports/441578
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Pakistan Arrests Seven on Charges of China-Linked Organ Trafficking
8 Sep 2020
https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2020/09/08/pakistan-arrests-seven-charges-china-linked-organ-trafficking/
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Pakistan features prominently in illicit global trade of human organs
February 14, 2018
LAHORE:
Although the Punjab police have succeeded in busting a ring of
swindlers allegedly involved in extracting bone marrow and fluid from
the spines of young girls in Hafizabad city, the law-enforcement
agencies countrywide should have been alert to curb the illicit trade of
these vital organs, especially after the Federal Investigating Agency
(FIA) had arrested members of two illegal organ trade gangs in Lahore
and Multan on April 30, 2017 and September 26, 2017 respectively.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/280696-pakistan-features-prominently-in-illicit-global-trade-of-human-organs
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Organ traffickers lock up people to harvest their kidneys. Here are the politics behind the organ trade.
2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/12/07/organ-traffickers-lock-up-people-to-harvest-their-kidneys-here-are-the-politics-behind-the-organ-trade/
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Pakistan Army forcefully ‘harvesting organs’ from ethnic minorities in Balochistan: Report
22 May, 2020
One
such case was that of a man named Gurham Baloch. Followed his abduction
by the Pakistan army, his corpse was returned after two days to the
family for burial. However, the last rites were performed under the
watch of the army officials.
The Pakistan army has allegedly been
involved in the abduction, forced disappearances, torture and forced
organ harvesting of people living in ethnic areas of Balochistan, report
Organiser. The report claims that corpses of such ethnic minorities are
wrapped by the army in white cloth and family members are prevented
from seeing anything other than the face. Such dead bodies are buried
with missing organs.
https://www.opindia.com/2020/05/pakistan-army-forcefully-harvesting-organ-from-ethnic-minorities-in-balochistan-report/
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In Pakistan, Illegal Kidney Trade Flourishes As Victims Await Justice
November 3, 2016
https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/11/03/500215155/in-pakistan-illegal-kidney-trade-flourishes-as-victims-await-justice
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Illegal kidney transplant hospital owned by KP health dept officials: Police
Sep 27 2017
https://www.geo.tv/latest/160106-illegal-kidney-transplant-hospital-owned-by-kpk-health-dept-officials-police
NOWSHERA:
Local police said that the private hospital found involved in illegal
kidney transplantation is owned by two officers of the provincial health
department.
The security officials also informed that a factory
producing fake medicines established behind the hospital was immediately
sealed and seven people, including the hospital's in-charge, Urologist
Dr Abdul Aziz, were booked.
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Debt drives kidney harvesting in Pakistan's citrus orchards
September 11, 2017
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-trafficking-organs-idUSKCN1BM17K
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Pakistan in denial over scale of illegal organ harvesting
May 20, 2017
A recent raid on a network involved in trading human organs made headlines but legislators have ignored a report showing extent of the problem and who is complicit
https://asiatimes.com/2017/05/pakistan-denial-scale-illegal-organ-harvesting/
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India Called Pakistan the 'World's Terrorism Factory' at U.N. Human Rights Council
3/15/17
https://www.newsweek.com/india-pakistan-terrorism-sponsor-human-rights-568563
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India, Afghanistan deny Pakistan's allegation of 'terrorism'
Pakistan
claimed to have evidence of India aiding "terrorist" activities from
Afghan soil, targeting Chinese interests in its southern province of
Balochistan. New Delhi and Kabul have rejected the allegations.
16.11.2020
https://www.dw.com/en/india-afghanistan-deny-pakistans-allegation-of-terrorism/a-55611636
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Remains of 9 Chinese victims in Pakistan terrorist attack return China
Jul 23, 2021
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202107/1229487.shtml
____________
China's new Silk Road: boom or dust for Pakistan?
November 15, 2015
https://www.dawn.com/news/1219852
____________
Pakistan’s new government is trying to walk back from alarming Chinese debt
September 10, 2018
https://qz.com/1384295/pakistan-is-trying-to-back-away-from-a-debt-trap-with-china/
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Pakistan yet to respond on Indian suggestion on jointly dealing with locust crisis
June 8, 2020
____________
China may send 100,000 ducks into Pakistan to battle locusts
June 17, 2020
https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2020/6/17/21293157/china-pakistan-locusts-ducks-africa
____________
Iran Signs Major Gas Deal with Pakistan
Jun 17, 2010
https://oilprice.com/Energy/Natural-Gas/Iran-Signs-Major-Gas-Deal-With-Pakistan.html
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Iran
September 20, 2020
https://pollutionscience101iran.blogspot.com
____________
Dual White Oil Pipeline in testing phase, to be operational soon
February 19, 2021
https://nation.com.pk/19-Feb-2021/dual-white-oil-pipeline-in-testing-phase-to-be-operational-soon
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Islamic Sharia Genocide
1 27 2017
IslamicShariaGenocide.Blogspot.com
____________
{The Mountains around the Himalayas and Pakistan in the karakoram Range are some of the most grand mountains you can find such as K2 and Trango Tower.
Pakistan has a lot of ancient history and culture.
Pakistan is not as overpopulated as India or China, this is why we have called to reduce the population in China and India by over 90%. India has over 1 billion people and Pakistan has less than 250 Million people in January 2023. Pakistan has around 238 Million (240 Million) people. If we call to reduce the population in Pakistan from 240 Million people to 80 Million people then this would be calling for a reduction in the population of Pakistan by over Two-Thirds or roughly over 65%. We should reduce the Third World population in Pakistan by over Two-Thirds. We should spare the higher IQ people in Pakistan and the tribes with more evolved Western features. We should make Pakistan part of a Western empire such as British Colony or an American Colony. Regardless of ethnicity or race, we believe that we should have less than 80 million people living in Pakistan. We have called for the maximum amount of 100 million people living in China and a maximum of 250 million people living in North America for other reference points to what we believe we should keep the population under in certain regions. This in total we would allow up to 2 billion people living on the planet. We should concentrate on a future race of higher IQ people with lighter skinned features. We need to depopulate much of the lower IQ Third World to replace many of these lower IQ groups with a higher IQ Western Civilization}.
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Pollution Science 101 - Egypt
6/1/2020
https://pollutionscience101egypt.blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Russia
December 2nd, 2015
Pollutionscience101Russia.blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - China
October 6th, 2015
Pollutionscience101China.blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Israel (Fate of the Middle East) -
8/9/2019
https://pollutionscience101israel.blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Cancer Investigated (California)
Jan/7/15
Pollutionscience101cancerinvestigated.blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Mexico - Faults of Mexico
5/1/2019
https://pollutionscience101mexico.blogspot.com/
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Texas Industry Pollution Investigated ( Texas vs BP Oil)
Feb/2/15
Pollutionscience101texasvsbpoil.blogspot.com/
____________
Energy Science 101 - ( Pollution Science 101 )
August 23rd, 2016
EnergyScience101.blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Solutions
August 23rd, 2016
Pollutionscience101solutions.blogspot.com/
____________
Laguna
Beach Government corruption: Investigative report 1/16/2017. (Asbestos
contamination & our waterways in Orange County).
January 16th, 2017
Lagunabeachcorruption.blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - India - Ecological Collapse
10/9/2017
PollutionScience101india.Blogspot.com
____________
Uranium Trade 101 - India & Pakistan ( Pollution Science 101- India )
10/9/2017
UraniumTrade101india.Blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Cuba
May 7th, 2021
https://Pollutionscience101Cuba.blogspot.com
____________
Pollution Science 101 - Brazil - Emergency Report
1/7/2020
https://pollutionscience101brazil.blogspot.com
____________
Race Dysgenics Brazil | Eugenics in Brazil
1/8/2020
https://eugenicsbrazil.blogspot.com
____________
The Cephalic Investigation - Race Eugenics & Dysgenics (Skull Evolution & The History of the Lineage of Man)
4/10/2020
https://skullevolution.blogspot.com
____________
Eugenics 101 (Dysgenics 101) - Genetics, Race, Science, Eugenics & Dysgenics
October 15th, 2020
https://eugenics101.blogspot.com
____________
Race Dysgenics: Evolution, Dysgenic De-evolution, Eugenics & Genetic Modification - The History of the Lineage of Man
3/5/2019
https://racedysgenics.blogspot.com
____________
The Dysgenics Investigation - Race, Science & the Human Genome Project - The Eugenics Investigation (Akoniti)
04/19/2018
DysgenicsInvestigation.blogspot.com
____________
Genetically Modified Vaccines Investigated - The Eugenics Investigation (MonsantoInvestigation.com)
8/15/2017
GMOvaccinesinvestigated.blogspot.com
____________
Genetically Modified Humans & Viruses - The Eugenics Investigation
July 7th, 2017
GMOhumansandviruses.blogspot.com
____________
The DuPont investigation
Feb/18/14
http://dupontinvestigation.blogspot.com
____________
King Solomon's Temple Investigation Marathon - Legend
7/21/2019
https://solomonstempleinvestigation.blogspot.com
____________
PollutionScience@Protonmail.com
TheInvestigations@Protonmail.com
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