The crisis of water shortage and pollution in Pakistan: risk to public health, biodiversity, and ecosystem

Nabi, Ghulam; Ali, Murad; Khan, Suliman; Kumar, Sunjeet

doi:10.1007/s11356-019-04483-w

Cited by 118 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Pakistan ranks seven among top ten climate changevulnerable countries in the long-term global climate risk index 2019 (Eckstein et al 2019). Moreover, the country is facing multidimensional challenges of climate change such as floods, droughts, heat waves, diseases, and increase in poverty and hunger (Nabi et al 2019). In contrast to put more stringent measures on environmental factors in the implementation of development projects, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been ignored in the formulation of CPEC projects.…”

Section: Dear Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncovering Pakistan’s Environmental Risks and Remedies under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Kouser

Subhan

Abedullah

2019

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a journey towards economic integration of Eurasia. The CPEC contains US$62 billion investment projects on energy, infrastructure, and other development projects in Pakistan. However, CPEC could enhance climate change vulnerabilities for the faltering economy of Pakistan due to its three possible environmental risks and repercussions. Its major environmental concern is related to energy projects as three quarters of the newly planned energy will be generated from traditional coal-fired power plants. Traditional coal power plants are the major contributors to CO 2 emissions and smog, which ultimately lead to global warming and climate change. Its second important environmental concern is linked with massive tree cutting for the construction of various road networks from Kashghar, China, to Gwadar, Pakistan. Tree cutting leads to enormous concentration of CO 2 emissions along the road networks. Vehicle trafficking is its third important environmental threat. Karakorum highway is expected to carry up to 7000 trucks per day that will release up to 36.5 million tons of CO 2 . Despite all the environmental risks, the CPEC enables Pakistan to manage energy crisis and upgrade aging infrastructure. However, if appropriate remedial measures are not taken to diminish environmental risks, Pakistan will be among major contributors to CO 2 emissions, and its rank will be worsen in global climate risk index, after completion of this project. Therefore, it is very crucial to assess possible environmental impacts of CPEC projects regarding energy, infrastructure, and transportation. Furthermore, scientists from both countries should collaborate to manage the environmental repercussions of CPEC projects.

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Section: Dear Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncovering Pakistan’s Environmental Risks and Remedies under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Kouser

Subhan

Abedullah

2019

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…The natural geogenic contamination of water is governed by the presence and concentration of various chemical constituents which are mostly derived from the geological formation of the particular region, while the anthropogenic contamination mainly occurs by the use of pesticides and herbicides in agriculture, leaching of poisonous toxins, septic tank, waste disposal, coal mining and petroleum refining, etc. [4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drinking Water Quality Mapping Using Water Quality Index and Geospatial Analysis in Primary Schools of Pakistan

Ahmed

Wong

Chua

et al. 2020

Water

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Primary school children in the developing world often lack potable water, which may result in a high burden of water-related diseases and poor school performance. The present study aimed to characterize the drinking water quality in primary schools of Pakistan. We used a multistage random-sampling method to select 425 primary schools from selected districts of Sindh province. Standard methods were used to characterize water quality. The results were compared with maximum acceptable values recommended by the Pakistani National Environmental Quality Standards (Pak NEQS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality standards. Groundwater (62%) and surface water (38%) were identified as two major drinking water sources in the selected schools with varying levels of water quality. Among all parameters, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and nitrate remained within WHO and Pak NEQS water quality standard limit, while total dissolved solids (TDS) (33%), electrical conductivity (EC) (46%), chloride (34%), turbidity (27%), and hardness (11%) samples exceeded standard limits. All dissolved salts had moderate to strong positive correlations with TDS and EC values. Based on a water quality index (WQI), 74% of primary schools had access to excellent or good quality drinking water compared to 26% of schools that had access to either poor, very poor or unsuitable drinking water. Among all three regions, more schools from South Sindh had either poor, very poor or unsuitable drinking water (33%) compared to the Central (25%) and North zones (15%). Hence, water from these locations is unfit for human consumption and these schools need better water quality management plans to stop the spread of water-related diseases in primary school children.

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“…Moreover, South Asia in general and Pakistan in particular, is facing the problems of water scarcity that will bear a very negative impact on the economy and social structure of Pakistan. According to a report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Pakistan ranked third among the countries facing severe water shortage very at a rapid speed ( Khan, & Kumar, 2019). According to Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Pakistan will run short of water by 2025, where very less amount of water or no water will be available in the country (Shukla, 2018).…”

Section: Security Dilemma Over Water Disputementioning

confidence: 99%

Pakistans Security Dilemma with Afghanistan and India

Tariq¹,

Khan²,

Khan³

2019

GPR

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Security dilemma plays an important part in determining state relations when particularly they are next door neighbors. In such a condition, it becomes difficult for the states to keep their security protected. Nations have to adopt policies that are beneficial for their national interest. An important function of security dilemma is that it also supports the balance of power theory which helps in balancing and counterbalancing of the countries. As far as, Pakistans security is concerned, it has two dimensions; the internal dimension which has greatly subsided during the present government while external dimension has always been like a Hanging Sword of Damocles. Pakistan is faced with this dilemma on both its eastern and western borders. The eastern border has caused three wars against India while the western border created trouble for Pakistan in the post-9/11 scenario. This paper discusses Pakists security dilemma with Afghanistan and India.

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The crisis of water shortage and pollution in Pakistan: risk to public health, biodiversity, and ecosystem

Cited by 118 publications

References 5 publications

Uncovering Pakistan’s Environmental Risks and Remedies under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Uncovering Pakistan’s Environmental Risks and Remedies under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Drinking Water Quality Mapping Using Water Quality Index and Geospatial Analysis in Primary Schools of Pakistan

Pakistans Security Dilemma with Afghanistan and India

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