Pakistan, despite contributing very little to global emissions, is counted among the most climate-vulnerable countries impacted by climate change. Earth protects us, and in return, we continue depriving it of its glory because of our industrial activities and our over-reliance on non-renewable fuels. In this connection, the insights of an environmental expert regarding restricting the pollution of underground water and controlling industrial and vehicular emissions in Pakistan are narrated as follows.
As much as 4.36 billion cubic metres of untreated water is produced in Pakistan every year. This amount of water is thrown into our seas and rivers without treatment, creating many problems for human health and agriculture. The water after domestic use and the wastewater generated from electroplating are not treated. Such waters contain arsenic, lead, chromium, mercury, and cadmium, all of which are highly dangerous to human health. Agriculture is also affected because, in many areas, this untreated water is used for growing crops. Pesticides and fertilisers in crops should be used in accurate quantities and not in excessive amounts. Our dump sites and landfill sites require precautionary measures to prevent further contamination.
Wastewater from tanneries and industries adds significantly to water pollution. In the tanneries and vulcanising industries, chromium is used, and this contaminated water often mixes with canals. Most dump sites and landfill sites in Pakistan lack lining and safety mechanisms, and they contain heavy metals that are highly hazardous for both human health and crops. In Multan, for instance, domestic untreated water is used in some places for growing fodder. When animals consume this water, their meat and milk become contaminated.
Similarly, crops irrigated with such water accumulate heavy metals and other chemicals. Even dung in stables contributes to contamination of underground water. Cow farms and milk farms must have treatment plants to prevent untreated water from mixing with underground water. Out of 4.36 billion cubic metres of wastewater per year, only a very small fraction is treated. Reports indicate that a substantial proportion of surface and ground water sources in Pakistan is contaminated beyond safe limits. It is therefore imperative to prioritise the construction of wastewater treatment plants. In Sialkot, the tanning and leather sectors contribute enormously to exports, and if we are earning this much, we should adopt methods that ensure water remains free of contamination.
No gift can be more important for future generations than our efforts to control pollution, safeguard the future, and leave a lasting legacy for which we may be remembered in good words
Every industry should install wastewater treatment plants, and the chemicals they use should be earth-friendly. Most larger textile mills comply with regulations because countries to which they export products impose restrictions, requiring the use of organic products and functioning wastewater treatment plants. This practice must be rigorously enforced in all industrial units, both large and small.
Smog is another pressing concern. It is a combination of smoke and fog, primarily caused by particulate emissions from vehicles, agriculture, and industries. It can be so dense that it lingers in the atmosphere like an inverted dome until rain or sunlight disperses it. Smog has severe consequences for human health, causing lung diseases that are particularly dangerous for asthma patients. It also disrupts business activities for hours or even days. Smoke from vehicles contains cancer-causing elements, and even if vehicle tuning is correct, an improper combination of emissions can produce highly toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. Faulty or removed catalytic converters further exacerbate the danger, especially when vehicles are not regularly operational.
Vehicular emissions account for roughly 40 per cent of the smoke in Pakistan. Therefore, all vehicles and motorbikes should be tested. The air quality or transport departments should authorise workshops equipped to certify vehicles if they meet emission standards. Certificates could be valid for one year or more. Catalytic converters, which some people remove to save fuel, are essential for health and must not be tampered with. Moreover, Pakistan should adopt Euro V or Euro VI fuels, as Euro II fuel, currently in use, produces significantly higher emissions.
Agricultural practices such as burning crop residues also contribute to air pollution. Burning destroys beneficial bacteria in the soil, requiring additional fertiliser. A simple solution is green seeding, or non-tillage seeding, where the cover crop is sown with the next crop directly into the field without removing residues. This allows the remaining stumps to be ploughed into the soil, creating natural organic fertiliser and reducing smog from agriculture.
Industrial emissions contribute around 25 per cent of smog generation. Not all industries have pollution control equipment, and even where installed, they are sometimes switched off by irresponsible operators, limiting their effectiveness. Enforcement of emission limits must be strict. Industries with stacks should have electrostatic precipitators, and dust collected through this process must be safely handled. Pollutants and chemicals should not be washed into drains, as this contaminates underground water, spoils land, and contributes further to smog through evaporation.
Saving the sanctity of the earth and improving the environment is a moral imperative. Perhaps no gift can be more important for future generations than our efforts to control pollution, safeguard the future, and leave a lasting legacy for which we may be remembered in good words.