Publication for
Environmental Awareness Campaign in Kasur, Pakistan
Issue
Number: PDRC/CSN/Kasur/092001
September
2001
A Publication of:
Civil Society Network
Kasur
Participatory Development Resource Cell (PDRC)
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
&
Committee of Civil Society Organizations for
Environmental Self-Governance
Kasur, Pakistan
All rights reserved
Coordination Committee:
|
Chairman: Malik
Meraj Khalid, Former
Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan |
Coordinator
for Civil Society Organizations: Raja
Muhammad Younis Kayani, Ex-President
District Bar Association Kasur |
|
Coordinator
Environmental Awareness Program for Tanneries' Workers Mr.
Lal Hussain, President Small Tanneries
Association, Kasur |
Coordinator
Educational Institutions: Ch.
Liaquat Ali Bhullar, PresidentAnjuman
Faroogh e Taleem, Kasur |
|
Health
Facility Provider: Amin
Hayat Memorial Medical Center, Hamza
Foundation, Kasur |
Incharge
Enviornmental Awareness Program: Ch.
Muzafar Hussain, General
Secretary, Anjuman Faroogh e Taleem Kasur |
|
Secretary
for Coordination: M.
Atiq ur Rahman General
Secretary
Pakistan Society of Geographic Information Systems (PSGIS) |
Coordinator
Health Awareness Program for Women: Dr.
Tayaba Nasreen, Chairperson, Save the Mother Fund Society Dr.
Asifa Tariq,
Kasur |
Contributing
Organizations:
|
Participatory
Development Resource Cell (PDRC), Sakano-Lab, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan |
International Center for Literacy and Culture (ICLC), Tokyo, Japan |
|
Anjuman
Ikhwan e Islam, Barki,
Distt: Lahore |
Hamza
Foundation, Lahore,
Pakistan |
Anjuman Faroogh e TaleemKasur |
Pakistan
Society of Geographic Information Systems (PSGIS) |
|
Citizen
Welfare Council, Kasur |
District
Bar Association (DBA), Kasur |
|
Majlis
Bulhe Shah,
Kasur |
Small
Tanneries Association, Kasur |
Civil Society Network
Kasur
Participatory
Development Resource Cell (PDRC)
Sakano-Lab, Department of Social Engineering, Tokyo
Institute of Technology,
2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 1528552, Japan
Phone: 81-3-5734-3820, Fax: 81-3-5734-3616
Email: atiq@soc.titech.ac.jp
http://www.soc.titech.ac.jp/~sakano/atiq/kasur.html
&
Committee of Civil
Society Organizations for
Environmental Self-Governance,
Kasur
Kayani House, Gate Pattuwan, Kasur, Pakistan
Email: save_kasur@yahoo.com
All rights reserved
*****************************************************************************************************************
IMPORTANCE OF TREE PLANTATION IN ISLAM
The tree plantation is Sunnah
(Tradition and holy action) of Syedna-wa- Maulana Muhammad (Salam o
Alaika) who is the Last Prophet of Allah. Islam emphasizes on creating a good
and pleasant living environment and cleanliness is considered as half of the
faith of Muslims
.
The following holy words (Hadith) of the our beloved Prophet Syedna-wa-
Maulana Muhammad (Salam o Alaika) describe the importance of tree
plantation:
If you know that
Qiyamat (the last day) will be established today (and you are sure that nothing
can exist on the earth as no time seems to be left before its destruction) and you
have a plant or seed in your hands, do not leave this plant or seed before you
plant it. (These are meanings of Hadith).
Tree plantation is Sadiqa-e-Jariya
and its reward continues even after the death of the person who plants
a tree.
Narrated Hadhrat Anas bin
Malik (Allah be pleased with him):
The
Prophet (Salam o Alaika)
said, "If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats
of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity".
The environmental degradation in Kasur demands that people of Kasur should initiate tree plantation campaigns and all actors of civil society should motivate the citizens for to participate in such campaigns. Trees planted today will provide fresh and healthy living environment to present and coming generations.
Suggestion:
The tree of Neem is
famous in Pakistan for its natural qualities to increase immunity against
malaria. The leaves and fruit of this tree are indigenously used for production
of several herbal medicines in the Indo-Pak subcontinent. It is recommended
that the Neem tree (
)
should be given priority in the tree plantation campaigns to overcome air
pollution problems in polluted areas of Kasur.
***********************************************************************************
Report
of Environmental Protection Department about chromium and bacteriological
pollution in Kasur[1]
GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
DEPARTMENT
PUNJAB, LAHORE[2]
To,
The Director (ML&I)
Environmental Protection Department,
Punjab, Lahore.
Memo No.
124 /LABS/EPD.
Dated 27 /01/1997
Subject: WATER QUALITY OF EXISTING
DRINGKING WATER SOURCES IN AREAS AFFECTED BY TANNERIES WASTE- KASUR
Sampling was done by the EPD lab staff on instructions of worthy secretary EPD for conducting chemical as well as bacteriological analysis with special reference to toxic metal chromium, being used during chrome tanning process. Its presence in drinking water beyond the permissible level prescribed by WHO, renders it toxic for human health.
Sampling was done at various sources
like tap water, donky pumps and hand pumps etc. A total of 20 samples were collected. Break-up is as follows:
|
Sr. No. |
Source |
Depth Range |
No. of samples collected |
|
1 |
Tap Water |
- |
9 |
|
2 |
Donkey Pumps |
40ft to 70 ft |
4 |
|
3 |
Tube wells |
70 ft to 600 ft |
4 |
|
4 |
Hand pumps |
- |
4 |
The samples collected were
subjected to laboratory analysis for chemical and bacteriological examination. Samples
for microbiological examination were collected in sterile 200 or 500 ml
wide-mouth glass bottles. Samples were collected from representative areas at
each location. The results obtained are
attached here-with. According to WHO
guidelines for drinking water quality water used for human consumption should
ideally be free from bacteria indicative of pollution with excreta i.e. total
coliform bacteria should be no/1000ml.
Similarly permissible level of chromium for drinking water prescribed by
WHO is 50 µg/litre i.e. 0.05 mg/I.
Results show that the
concentration of chromium ranges between 0.02-0.20 mg/I. Similarly total coliform group exists in the
range of 1-55, while most of-the samples collected were found free of residual
chlorine.
It is suggested that samples in Kasur area should be examined regularly for indication of faecal pollution as well as health-related inorganic constituents like chromium.
DA/Test Report
(2 Pages)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (LABS)
ENVIROMENT PROTECTION
DEPARTMENT
PUNJAB,
2 LAKE ROAD, LAHORE
Endst: No. 125 / LABS/EPD. Dated
_____________/01/1997
A copy is forwarded for information to the Directory General / Secretary Environment Protection Department Punjab, Lahore.
(Signature)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (LABS)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
DEPARMTNT PUBJAB,
2, LAKE ROAD, LAHORE
Water Quality Report 1997,
Kasur
|
Sr. No. |
Description |
Sources / Depth |
Conductance µs/cm |
Chromium |
MF/ 100 ml |
Remarks |
|
1 |
Haseeb Afzal Tannery, Niaz
Nagar, Mangal Mandi Road |
T/W |
1615 |
0.25 |
55 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
2 |
Jamia Mosque Khizra, Niaz
Nagar |
T/W |
1075 |
0.04 |
2 |
Bact. Unfit |
|
3 |
Kasur Public School,
Officer Colony |
T/W |
1415 |
0.02 |
1 |
Bact. Fit |
|
4. |
Bahadar Pura (village) |
H/P (40 ft) |
597 |
0.04 |
5 |
Bact. Unfit |
|
5 |
Bahadar Pura |
T/W |
627 |
0.02 |
7 |
Bact. Unfit |
|
6. |
Tolowala (village) |
H/P (50ft) |
2520 |
0.20 |
19 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
|
Tolowala (village) |
H/P (100ft) |
2136 |
0.06 |
14 |
Bact. Unfit |
|
|
Tolowala (village) |
Tube well (90 ft) |
1190 |
0.06 |
25 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
7 |
District Head Quarter
Hospital |
Tube well (80 ft) |
1230 |
0.09 |
49 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
8 |
Prince Hotel Kattal Garhi
Chowk |
T/W |
1930 |
0.04 |
21 |
Bact. Unfit |
|
9 |
Kot Molvi Abdul Qadir
Mosque |
T/W |
2020 |
0.05 |
28 |
Bact. Unfit |
|
10 |
Kot Molvi Abdul Qadir
(house) |
T/W |
1810 |
0.04 |
11 |
Bact. unfit |
|
11 |
Khawaja Muhammad Fiaz
Chemical Store, Din Garh |
T/W |
4100 |
0.08 |
1 |
Chem. Unfit |
|
12 |
Jamia Mosque Madina Din
Garh |
T/W |
3400 |
0.12 |
- |
Chem. Unfit |
|
13 |
House of Mangal Mandi |
D/P (450) |
1110 |
0.06 |
9 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
14 |
Niaz Nagar, Kasur |
D/P (70 ft) |
2800 |
0.11 |
25 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
15 |
Niaz Nagar Kasur |
H/P (60ft) |
1800 |
0.07 |
20 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
16 |
Niaz Nagar, Kasur |
Tube Well 550 ft |
810 |
Nil |
Nil |
Fit |
|
17 |
Nizam Pura (village) |
D/P (60ft) |
1890 |
0.20 |
23 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
18 |
Nizam Pura |
H/P (50ft) |
2700 |
0.18 |
19 |
Chem. Unfit Bact. Unfit |
|
19 |
Nizam Pura |
Tube well (275 ft) |
2900 |
0.05 |
5 |
Bact. Unfit |
Abbreviations: T/W = Tape Water (supplied by Kasur Municipality)
H/P = Hand Pump, D/P = Donkey Pump
*****************************************************************************************
REFERENCE REPORTS
AND PUBLICATIONS:
HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF TANNING INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES IN KASUR, PAKISTAN
Dr. Hideharu
Morishita and Mohammad Atiq ur Rahman
Published by:
Asian Institute of
Technology (AIT), Bangkok, Thailand
May 1999.
DISEASE PATTERN AND FATALITIES DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS IN KASUR
Dr. Tatsuro Sakano
and Mohammad Atiq ur Rahman
Published by:
Participatory
Development Resource Cell (PDRC),
Tokyo Institute of
Technology, JAPAN.
March 2001
STATE OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN KASUR, PAKISTAN
Compiled by
Mohammad Atiq ur Rahman
Published by:
Participatory
Development Resource Cell (PDRC),
Tokyo Institute of
Technology, JAPAN
August 2000
Proceedings of Two Days International Workshop in Kasur on
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PARTICIPATION
Held
at Govt. Elementary Teachers Training College, Kasur
Hosted
by Hamza Foundation
Published
by:
Sakano-Lab,
Department of Social Engineering,
Graduate
School of Decision Science & Technology
Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
June 2000
Proceedings
of 2nd International Workshop in Kasur on
ENVIRONMENTAL SELF-GOVERNANCE THROUGH CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
Held
at Municipal Committee Library Hall, Kasur
Hosted
by:
Committee
of Civil Society Organizations for Environmental Self-Governance in Kasur
September
2001
(This
report is under printing process and will be available in soon)
NETWORKING OF CIVIL
SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE: UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE
AND FUNCTIONS OF NGOS IN KASUR, PAKISTAN
Dr.
Tatsuro Sakano and Mohammad Atiq ur Rahman
Jointly
published by:
Participatory Development Resource Cell (PDRC),
Sakano-Lab,
Tokyo Institute of Technology, JAPAN and
Committee of Civil Society Organizations for
Environmental Self-Governance in Kasur
March
2001
Note:
All the above reports are available at Bulhe Shah Library, Municipal Committee Kasur for reference. Colleges, schools, NGOs and other institutions in Kasur can get these reports (free copy) for their libraries by sending request letter at the following address:
Anjuman Ikhwan e Islam, 29 Lakshami
Mansions, Hall Road, Lahore 54000
****************************************************************************
INTRODUCTION
CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORK (CSN) KASUR
Civil Society Network (CSN) Kasur is an Internet based communication network established by Participatory Development Resource Cell (PDRC), in the Lab of Dr. Sakano, Graduate School of Decision Science & Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. The CSN aims to increase environmental consciousness among the environmental polluted industrial cities of Pakistan and Kasur is the first city selected in this respect. Mohammad Atiq ur Rahman, General Secretary of Pakistan Society of Geographic Information Systems (PSGIS) is the organizer of this volunteer task. Several Civil Society Organizations in Pakistan working for environment are being linked for information sharing and learning from Japanese experiences of environmental protection. For the production of posters and children stories to increase environmental awareness among school children, the collaboration of International Center for Literacy and Culture (ICLC) Tokyo is a strong support. ICLC is an organization of Dr. Shinji Tajima who has served the Prime Minister Literacy Commission of Pakistan for three years as an advisor by JICA. For more information about PDRC, PSGIS and ICLC please contact <atiq@soc.titech.ac.jp>
Web site: http://www.soc.titech.ac.jp/~sakano/atiq/
COMMITTEE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL SELF-GOVERNANCE IN KASUR:
The Committee of Civil Society Organizations in Kasur was established after the first workshop on Sustainable Development though Participation held at Government Elementary Teachers Training College Kasur on March 28-29, 2000. The committee is working under the patronage of Mr. Malik Meraj Khalid, famous educationist & former caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan. The committee is a representative of prominent civil society organizations and social welfare associations working in Kasur. The former President of District Bar Association (Session 2000) Mr. Raja M. Younis Kayani (General Secretary of Citizen Welfare Council of Kasur) is serving as the coordinator of this committee. Mr. Kayani is a well-known personality in Kasur and his efforts and dedication to solve the environmental problems of Kasur are well recognized in Kasur.
Hamza Foundation, Anjuman Faroogh e Taleem Kasur, Anjuman Ikhwan e Islam Barki, Citizen Welfare Council Kasur, District Bar Association Kasur, Majlis Bulhe Shah and Pakistan Society of Geographic Information Systems (PSGIS) are the main contributors in this committee.
Following prominent NGOs and Civil Society Organizations are collaborating for the promotion of Non-Formal Environmental Education in Kasur:
|
District Bar
Association Kasur |
Hamza
Foundation |
Anjuman
Faroogh e Taleem, Kasur |
Pakistan Youth
Welfare Organization |
|
Amin Hayat
Memorial Medical Center |
Deaf &
Dumb Welfare Society |
Anjuman Ikhwan
e Islam, Barki |
Al-Rehman
Welfare Foundation |
|
Al-Noor
Educational Society |
Anjuman
Behbood-e-Marizaan |
Women Welfare
Society |
Awami Falahi
Committee |
|
S-O-S, Rural
Support Program, Kasur |
Citizen
Welfare Council |
Khadim Abad
Welfare Society |
Baghdadia
Social Welfare Society Kasur |
|
Al Murtaza
Welfare Society |
Majlis Bhullay
Shah Kasur |
Tanzeem
Khidmat-e-Insaniyat |
Small
Tanneries Association (STA) |
|
Wali Welfare
Society |
Majlis
Ifkar-e-Nau |
Pak Islahi
Committee |
Jinnah Welfare
Society |
|
Anjuman-e-Islamia,
Kasur |
Anjuman-e-Insadad-e-Munashiyat |
All Friends
Welfare Association |
Kasur Public
School (KPS) |
|
Press Club,
Kasur |
Action Aid,
Kasur |
Pukar
Foundation |
District T.B.
Association |
What
have been done by PDRC and PSGIS for Kasur?
To discuss the issue of environmental hazards in Kasur, the following workshops were organized in the past:
Two days International workshop on Sustainable Development through Participation, held at Govt. Elementary Teachers Training College, Kasur on March 28-29, 2000. The workshop was participated both local and international participants. This workshop was hosted by Hamza Foundation and the Minister for Social Welfare, Women Development and Literacy, Ms. Shaheen Attiq ur Rehman was the chief guest. On the second day the former caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Malik Meraj Khalid was the Chief Guest and this session was held at the head office of Hamza Foundation in Lahore. The workshop ended with 23 recommendations some of which have been fulfilled and some are in progress. The two days workshop was conducted by Dr. Abdul Rahim Khan Ex-Chief Technical Advisor of UNDP. The other prominent participants of this workshop include Dr. Tatsuro Sakano (Japan), Dr. Shinji Tajima (Japan), Dr. R.G. Gumen (Country Representative of UNIDO involved in Treatment Plant Project in Kasur), Mr. Abid Hussain Chairman Hamza Foundation, Ch. Liaquat Ali Bhullar and Ch. Muzaffar Hussain Anjuman Faroogh e Taleem Kasur, Raja Younis Kayani President District Bar Association (session 2000), Dr. Tahir Shehab Hashmi Incharge Medical Officer Amin Hayat Memorial Hospital Kasur, Dr. A. R. Siddiqui, Managing Director Kasur Waste Management Agency (KTWMA), Prof. Dr. Shabih ul Hassan Zaidi, Chairman City and Regional Planning Department, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, Prof. Ikram Ali Shah Gelani, Chairman Department of Architecture (UET) Lahore. Prof. Qamar ul Islam CRP Department, UET Lahore, Dr. Noor uz Zaman Rafiq BUNYAD Literacy Community Council, Mr. Khalid Hassan Lodhi and Syed Waqar Hussain Housing and Physical Planning Department Government of Punjab, Dr. Pervaiz Khalid Municipal Health Officer and acting Chief Officer Municipal Committee Kasur, Mr. Irshad Hussain Tanneries Association Dingarh (TAD) Kasur, Mr. Lal Hussain President Small Tanneries Association (STA) Kasur and M. Atiq ur Rahman General Secretary Pakistan Society of Geographic Information Systems (PSGIS). The committee of Civil Society Organization in Kasur was an outcome of this workshop. Proceedings of this workshop have been published and are available in several libraries both in Lahore and Kasur.
Outcomes:
A set of well structured recommendations that provided guidelines for future actions involving civil society in Kasur. Under these recommendations the following tasks were accomplished:
Printing of report on state of drinking water quality in Kasur. The analysis is based on the report of Environmental Protection Department about drinking water quality in Kasur issued on 27th January 1997.
Survey of around 1% sample population of the entire city to know the disease pattern and causes of deaths and its relation to the environmental hazards of tanning industry in Kasur.
Networking of Civil Society Organizations and NGOs for mutual working for increasing environmental awareness in Kasur.
Preparation of posters and literature on environmental awareness through Non-Formal Environmental Education Centers (NFEEC)
Debate competitions among students organized by Anjuman Faroogh e Taleem in Kasur, Keep Kasur Clean Competition among sweepers of Municipal Committee in Kasur and participation of CSOs in the tree plantation campaign of the government.
2nd
International Workshop on Environmental Self-Governance through Civil Society
Organizations held at Municipal Committee Library Kasur on March 29,
2001. The workshop was organized by Participatory Development Resource Center
(PDRC), Sakano-Lab, Tokyo Institute of Technology and was hosted by the Committee
of Civil Society Organizations for Environmental Self-Governance in Kasur.
Hamza Foundation extended its full cooperation for this workshop. Mr. Malik
Meraj Khalid was the Chief Guest of this workshop and international participants
include Dr. Tatsuro Sakano (Tokyo Institute of Technology Japan), Dr. Hideharu
Morishita (Aichi Gakuin University Japan), and Dr. Barbara Earth (Asian
Institute of Technology, Thailand). Other prominent participants include Sh.
Nazir ud Din, Director Hamza Foundation, Ch. Liaquat Ali Bhullar and Ch.
Muzaffar Hussain from Anjuman Faroogh e Taleem Kasur, Dr. Tayaba Nasreen
Chairperson, Save the Mother Fund Society, Mr. Lal Hussain President Small
Tanneries Association and Prof. Malik Hassan and representatives of Majlis e
Bulhe Shah Kasur. The participants NGOs in the environmental campaigns and
other programs were awarded with souvenirs.
For a free copy kindly contact Mr. Atiq at atiq@soc.titech.ac.jp or by post contact Anjuman Ikhwan e Islam, 29 Lakshami Mansions, Hall Road, Lahore.
Current Work in Progress
GIS based information system for drinking water quality in the entire city of Kasur
Preparation of environmental literature for students in schools
Future Plans
Workshop on Sustainable Development through Participation
Workshop on the Role of Civil Society Organizations for Environmental Self-Governance in Kasur
Water quality report of Environmental Protection Department, 1997
****************************************************************************************
ANNOUNCEMENTS
·
Establishment of Non Formal Environmental Education
Centers (NFEEC):
Civil Society Network (CSN)
is willing to establish Non Formal Environmental Education Centers (NFEEC) in
the government and private educational institutions and offices of NGOs working
in Kasur. These centers will be provided FREE materials, literature and books
etc. that can be helpful to increase environmental literacy in Kasur. Interested
organizations, schools, and institutions are requested to contact by post at
the following address:
M. Atiq ur Rahman
Sakano-lab, Department of Social Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 1528552, Japan.
·
Environmental Competition (Writings, Poems,
Paintings & Photographs):
Students of Colleges, High
Schools and Primary Schools from both Government and Private Sector are invited
to participate in the competition being organized by PDRC, ICLC Tokyo
and the Committee of Civil Society Organizations for Environmental
Self-Governance, Kasur.
The competition includes
Essay Writing; Story writing, Poems, paintings and photographs written/done by
the students. The topic should address the Environmental Problems of Kasur or
any idea related to this issue. The writings can be in URDU or English. Poems
can be in Punjabi as well. The page requirements are as under:
Essay/Article
=
Maximum 3 pages
Poem =
1 page
Children
Story =
Maximum 5 pages
Hand Painting/Photographs = Maximum 2 per
student (A4 size)
(Note: Please use A4 size paper and write in clear
handwriting or try to type in computer if possible)
The competition is open to both boys and girls in colleges,
schools and other institutions. The winning students will be awarded with
prizes and certificates in a formal ceremony. All students who will take part
in this competition will be given participation certificate.
A total of 50 students (Govt. Colleges = 10, Govt. High
School = 10, Govt. Middle School = 10, Govt. Primary Schools = 10 and All
Private Schools = 10) will be selected on the basis of the quality of their
work. The selected items and writings will be published in the shape of books and
will be used in Non-Formal Environmental Education Centers in Kasur to increase
environmental literacy.
The head of the institutions of selected students will
also be given certificates of appreciation. The teachers of the students can
guide and correct the work of their students.
Please send your articles, children stories, or poems
at the following address before 1st December 2001.
Address: M. Atiq ur Rahman, PDRC, Sakano Lab, Department of Social Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8552, JAPAN.
Information to be submitted with the work:
Name of the student, Name of School, Class, Section, Name of his Teacher, Age of student, Address of school, Home address, Phone Number and Email (if any).
· Volunteer Wanted:
Student volunteers from Kasur are invited to work with
PDRC/ICLC, Japan to improve Enviornmental literacy in Kasur. Volunteers must be
dedicated and active students who can participate in the environmental programs
from time to time. The participating students will be given different
incentives to recognize their contribution and their work will also be
introduce in other countries. Please
send your letter in handwriting if you are willing to work with us.
Address: M. Atiq ur Rahman, PDRC, Sakano Lab, Department of Social Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8552, JAPAN.
****************************************************************************************
AN OVERVIEW OF COMMON
DISEASES RESULTING FROM ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN KASUR
This short report aims to
explain the impact of environmental pollution caused be leather tanning
industry and groundwater pollution in Kasur. This is the summary of a research conducted
by Participatory Development Resource Cell (PDRC), Sakano-Lab, Graduate
School of Decision Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology,
Japan. The objective of this summary report is to bring some basic facts and
realities to the notice of the elected representatives of District Government,
Government Institutions, NGOs and citizens of Kasur so that all these actors of
civil society can play their vital role to over come these hazards and restore
the beauties of Kasur as SOHNA SHEHAR KASUR.
On March 28-29, 2000 1st
International Workshop on Sustainable Development through Participation
was held at Government Elementary Teachers Training College, Kasur. The
workshop was hosted by Hamza Foundation. This workshop was jointly organized by
PDRC Sakano-Lab Tokyo Institute of Technology Japan, Anjuman Faroogh e
Taleem Kasur, Anjuman Ikhwan e Islam Barki, District Bar Association Kasur and
Pakistan Society of Geographic Information Systems (PSGIS). The representatives of several prominent
organizations including UNIDO, WWF, KTWMA, Ministry of Housing Environment
& Physical Planning, JICA's representative for Literacy Commission
Pakistan, District Administration, City and Regional Planning Department
University of Engineering and Technology, Municipal Committee Kasur, BUNYAD
Literacy Council and prominent actors of civil society from Kasur participated
in this workshop. Miss Shaheen Attiq ur Rehman, Provincial Minister for Social
Welfare presided this workshop.
A set of several concrete
recommendations was finalized in this two days workshop under the supervision
of Mr. Malik Meraj Khalid together with Dr. Abdul Rahim Khan, a prominent urban
and regional planner in Pakistan. There was a strong demand to prepare database
on the disease patter and causes of deaths in Kasur since due to lack of data,
no facts about diseases were known to the public or government agencies.
The tanning industry plays
an important role in the export earning of Pakistan but due to haphazard
industrial growth and ineffective implementation of environmental legislation
in last 20 years has converted Kasur as the home town of diseases related with
air and groundwater pollution.
In order to accomplish and
work on the recommendations of this workshop, at the first step, a questionnaire
was designed under the supervision of Dr. Tahir Shehab Hashmi who is serving as
medical officer at Amin Hayat Memorial Medical Center in Kasur. This medical
center is very well equipped and serves the poor people of Kasur who are mostly
the victims of environmental pollution.
In this survey, which was
conducted by PDRC under the supervision of Anjuman Faroogh e Taleem Kasur and
District Bar Association, a total of 2460 people were questioned about their
diseases. This survey covered around 1% of the entire population of Kasur.
Results show that 62% of common residents and 72% of industrial workers were
reported to have one or more diseases linked with polluted ground water or air
pollution near the industrial area.
Here are some of the prominent
diseases found among these respondents:
·
Prolonged
cough for more than 1 month
·
Lung
infection and T.B.
·
Eyes
infections, irritation and quick loss of eyesight
·
Skin
infections and rashes
·
Liver
and abdominal diseases
·
Kidney,
bladder and urine tract infection
·
Weakness
of reflexes and tiredness
·
Strange
noises in ears (like traffic noise)
·
Numbness
·
Malaria
and Typhoid
·
Loss
of memory
The results of the survey
indicate that the most prominent diseases present among residents in Kasur are linked
with the air and groundwater pollution. The groundwater has been polluted with
chromium and other toxic chemicals due to the seepage of industrial effluents
discharged without any treatment, which got the shapes of big lakes. The ground
water is the only source of drinking in Kasur and hand pumps, domestic motor
pumps and tube wells are the major source to fetch groundwater for drinking
purpose.
The most serious matter is
that the patients in Kasur (among respondents) were mostly under the age of 20.
Women and children were the most victims of the pollution. The increasing trend of diseases among youth
is an alarming situation and needs urgent health management actions to be
taken.
According to the report of
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) Punjab, in 1997 the groundwater in
Kasur has been detected extremely polluted with chromium as compared with WHO
standards. Chromium (VI) is termed as carcinogenic (cancer causing). Its
presence in the air as aerosols of chromium and in groundwater can result in
several chronic diseases leading to cancer.
Although tanning industry is
the prominent source of groundwater pollution, but the other sources of
pollution cannot be overlooked. Ponds of domestic sewerage in Kasur are also
among such sources, which are the breeding places for mosquitoes and flies. In
rainy season the situation is even worst and disease like malaria and cholera
are widely observed.
According to the results of
the survey, there were 573 deaths reported in the family of respondents during
last 5 years. The reasons of these deaths in the family of respondents (as
reported by the respondents) were as under:
·
Cancer
·
Paralysis
·
Kidney
and liver failure
·
Fever
(pneumonia, typhoid and malaria)
·
T.B.
and lung failure
·
Still
births
·
Diabetes
(mostly among women)
·
Heart
failure
·
Unknown
diseases
This is necessary to mention
here that the Government of Pakistan together with United National Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) and UNDP launched a project worth US$ 10.147
million for waste management in Kasur. During the construction of the project
the drain channels were also constructed to discharge effluents after treatment
done at the treatment plant. The matter of fact is that during the
construction, most of the highly toxic industrial wastewater has been thrown to
the river Sutlej by utilizing these drain channels. The project seems to shift
problem from one place to another place under the supervision of government and
the agencies involved in this project.
The question is that why there
is no check on this intentional environmental transgression? Why the
Environmental Protection Act 1997 is not practically implemented to check what
has been happening during the construction of this project? Why Enviornmental
Protection Department (EPD) Punjab and Federal Government are silent on this
action of intentionally polluting the river Sutlej while construction of this
project.
This huge project was
submitted for UN Funding with the reason to save human life in Kasur. But why
the presence of chromium in groundwater has not been considered as a matter of
concern? Why there is no consideration about the health improvement by direct
actions? Why there is no information dissemination about ground water pollution
to the people of Kasur by the project management agencies and district
administration so that people can take precautionary measures to save their
life. Why there has no public participation in this huge project where as the
participation of tanning industrial associations is a forced participation and
is termed as ''on the basis of polluters pay principle'' in the
project documents. Although tanning industry is the main source of pollution in
Kasur, the role of tanning industrial associations has proved very cooperative
which is very positive indicator and shows their great concern to solve this
problem.
The report of Enviornmental
Protection Department (EPD) Punjab has been included in this bulletin so that
the citizens, government officials and newly elected public representatives may
realize the severity of the situation and try to find alternate source of water
supply for the citizens of Kasur. There is a need to motivate the general
public so that they can take part in the actions of government to overcome this
big environmental threat to the people of Kasur.
Considering the need of
fresh water quality tests to check presence of chromium, phenol and coliform
bacteria, a comprehensive tests has been conducted in Kasur recently in the
month of August 2001. The city was divided based on the wards of Union Councils
of recently elected representatives and water samples were taken from prominent
places in each ward. The report is under compilation process and will be
published in the next bulletin. In
simple words, from the results this report confirms the earlier report of EPD
and shows high level of chromium in drinking water in Kasur. For example the
EPD report and the current water sample test shows the presence of high level
of chromium in the water used for drinking at District Headquarters Hospital in
Kasur.
The purpose of this fresh
data was to check the presence of chromium in drinking water and to inform this
matter to the elected Nazims and Councilors in Kasur so that they can consider
the matter of provision of alternate source of drinking water for the citizens
of Kasur on priority basis. The use of hand pumps as a source of drinking water
must be prohibited in Kasur, since it contains very high level of chromium.
If the city of Kasur will
not be provided with clean drinking water from alternate sources, there is a
threat that this historical city with unique cultural heritage will loose its
importance and people will migrate to other cities, which will greatly affect
the folk, culture and traditions of this historical city.
The city of Kasur has
produced many famous politicians, lawyers, artists, scholars, journalists and
educationists, but this is true to say that most of these leaders and scholars
are already living in Lahore or in other cities. These journalists, scholars and
politicians should share the responsibility to highlight the environmental
issues faced by the residents of their native city. This is a common trend that
if people in Kasur can afford, they would prefer to shift to another place. The
prominent reason of this shifting is certainly environmental pollution.
Kasur, which is known as the
city of famous saint and poet Hazrat Baba Bullhey Shah (May Allah be Pleased
with him) needs help from NGOs and health provision organizations for safe
living environment.
The reports of PDRC about
environmental situation in Kasur are available at Bullhey Shah Library situated
at Municipal Committee office.
PDRC and ICLC together with
the Committee of Civil Society Organizations for environmental self-governance
in Kasur are willing to establish Environmental Education Centers at schools,
offices of NGOs and other institutions. These centers will help the local
government to increase environmental awareness among citizens so that they can
work together with increased level of community participation to overcome these
environmental threats.
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