ECOSF joined in the Launch Ceremony of a Baseline Study of Plastic Waste in ICT and Ayub National Park (ANP), jointly Steered by the UNDP, UNESCO and WWF Pakistan
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UNESCO and World Wildlife Fund (WWF Pakistan) in collaboration with the UNDP have conducted the baseline study of Plastic Waste of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Ayubia National Park (ANP). The report on this baseline study on plastic waste was launched on December 11, 2019 at UNESCO Office in Islamabad. The objective of conducting this study was to assess the current situation and determine the statistics on production of plastic waste in ICT and ANP. A number of stakeholders, including the representatives of city district administration, Capital Development Authority (CDA), environmentalists, members of civil society organizations participated during the launch ceremony. On behalf of the ECOSF, Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro participated in the event.
In her welcome remarks, Director UNESCO Islamabad Vibeke Jensen said that UNESCO is ready to support all stakeholders and donor agencies to partner in controlling plastic waste pollution and its management in Islamabad. Solid waste management requires technical solutions and awareness campaigns and education would be the key steps to address this challenge.
Mr. Hammad Naqi Khan Director General - World Wildlife Fund (WWF-Pakistan) presented the outline of this baseline study. The study has raised serious concerns, as it has established that hospitals are the biggest producers of most hazardous plastic waste in ICT and due to weak regulatory framework, this hazardous waste gets dumped into the municipal garbage instead of being disposed in incinerators.
Mr. Raza Ali Habib Director General Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) said that waste management in mountain ranges is a complex challenge. The world’s 42 per cent mountain ranges exist in Asia and 60 per cent of the population resides in these areas. However, we need to take all stakeholders on board to take best practical measures to turn this challenge into an opportunity which will become a risk if let go unchecked, he added.
Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro spoke on the importance of regulatory framework but also on the education of public at large. He emphasized on education of children at home as well as across the schools, colleges and universities so as to education the future generations about production, use, abuse and pollution of plastics. He also underlined the importance of public awareness about health and environmental hazards of plastics including for human, animals and life under water.
Mayor of Islamabad, Sheikh Ansar Aziz highlighted the significance of waste management plan for cities. He assured that Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) will develop an effective coordination mechanism with stakeholders to encourage the concept of recycling and reduce the impact of plastic waste in the city.