Why Capital city of Pakistan is in Danger?

The writer is a student of law at IIUI

Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is second most beautiful capital in the world which is famous for its unique greenery. The Capital city is blessed with breathtaking natural wonders alongside great infrastructure. It is also a paradigm of progress, innovation and architectural marvels. It is divided into different sectors and zones. The capital is famous for its clean, and peaceful environment meanwhile it is under the threat of climate change and pollution. It  has become highly polluted city of Pakistan in just couple of years and more is yet to come. Daintily speaking, the residents of the capital are truly responsible for this degradation. We are quite ignorant of the fact that our present actions have some severe reactions in future. Climate change and pollution is not a sudden process though they have worst effects on human lives as well.

Global climate change and pollution are international issues which can devastate and deteriorate our pleasant weather conditions and human activities. Climate change is due to greenhouse effect furthermore this effect is due to emission of carbon dioxide, methane gas and chlorofluorocarbons in fresh air. Burning of fossil fuels and dumping of human waste in open areas are mutual causes of pollution either it is air, environmental or water pollution.

Pollution is also increasing at immense speed in Islamabad. Some areas are filled up with waste material like household garbage and plastic material. The waste is dumped in open areas. After rain, chemicals from this waste leach into the soil and change its properties and it also lead to unpleasant smell. Sometimes animals and birds feed on waste and after ingesting they fall prey to death. Almost 500-700 tons of garbage is being dumped in different areas of the capital. There is noise and air pollution due to heavy traffic. All the traffic releases greenhouse gases in pure air which causes air pollution. According to PBC(Pakistan Bureau of Statistics) the number of registered vehicle in country increased by 9.6% and motorcycle ownership has jumped from 41% to 53% according to FBS(Federal Bureau of Statistics).

Wastewater and sewage pollution is bolding day by day. Untreated wastewater is discharged into 'Nallas' and 'Natural Streams' which flows down from the Margalla Hills Islamabad. This is polluting the streams in the federal capital and releasing irksome odours throughout the city. The city has 26 small and large streams which take rainwater and pass through residential sectors. Capital development authority (CDA) and Islamabad metropolitan corporation (IMC) maintenance workers rip apart pipelines and let the wastewater directly into the natural streams and alaninol the sewage of different house units is being discharged in streams which is causing impurity of water in capital.

It is quite thought-provoking that people of Islamabad and round the globe are affected by emphysema and asthma due to air pollution; Cholera, typhoid and hepatitis due to water pollution; heart diseases, stress and noise induced hearing loss(NIHL)due to noise pollution. And i am frightened that Islamabad will be in the list of highly polluted cities like Hotan, Ghaziabad, Delhi and Lahore. As the weather of capital is not moderate from past few years. Weather is at its extreme in these days too.

Every problem has a remedy. We are well aware of the fact that 80% of world pollution is due to human activities. We can reduce it by using highly efficient fuel, using of public transport, recycle and reuse policy, planting trees and by conserving natural resources.CDA should take positive and active steps in checking out weather pollutants and government must work in clean and green project. The capital should not lose its aesthetic glimpse!

All views and opinions expressed are writer's personal ones.