Annual Report 2009-10 - Sustainable Development Policy Institute

above topic. The ceremony coincided with the launching of the two recently produced documentaries“Pakistan Water Resources in Danger of Depletion” and “Big Dams and Alternative Energy”by Sungi on water issues. Speakers of the seminar said that the National Drinking WaterPolicy (NDWP) approved last year still needed to be implemented properly. It was agreed thatthe responsibility to provide potable water lay with local governments but abandoning the LGsystem had raised serious questions over efficient water service delivery by the government besidesthere were concerns that stakeholders were not involved in the formulation process of theNational Drinking Water Policy which had not been approved as yet.Water Conflict in South -Asia and International Treaties on EnvironmentA call for pondering over the proposal of joint water-shed management was proposed in SouthAsia. Speakers of the seminar highlighted that black carbon emissions from India were affectingthe monsoon areas of India and Pakistan. They said the Indian proposal of joint water managementwas good and both countries should convert it into joint water-shed management whichwould be a win-win situation for both as it would take care of water outflows from all rivers flowinginto Pakistan from Indian controlled areas. Speakers demanded reviewing the resettlementpolicy of the areas affected by projects and urged fair compensation for legally entitled and unentitledaffected people.Affordable Green Energy: Way ForwardSpeakers were of the opinion that Pakistan should take full advantage of its available hydel potentialand there was a need for hydel power stations in the country. They urged a ban on thermalpower projects, which according to them, have made multinational companies influentialplayers in the energy sector of the country. Speakers said that Pakistan has a huge potential ofhydel resources which could be used to meet the ever-growing domestic, commercial and industrialneeds besides hydroelectric projects involve less repairs or maintenance expendituresfor longer periods.Environment and Health Impacts of MERCURY- a Global Concern (World EnvironmentDay)Speakers questioned the efficacy of the final disposal of mercury products like tube-lights andenergy-savers which otherwise was an environmental and health hazard. They strongly favoredthe establishment of the Asia Pacific regional facility of mercury surplus & Mercury waste storagein Pakistan. Highlighting hazardous effects on the human body, the Ministry of Environmentsaid that mercury causes pregnancy disorders, memory loss, mental disturbance and other ailments.They said that the ministry constituted a national team for identifying mercury products,analyses of samples, data collection and organized meetings with stakeholders.CyclonesDuring this year another natural disaster Tropical Cyclone PHET in the Arabian Sea occurred. InPakistan, Tropical Cyclone PHET hit the coastal areas of Sindh, including Badin and Thatta. Expertsexpressed the opinion that South Asian states should evolve a strategy to protect glaciersas they were melting quickly ultimately leading to a rise in sea level, which results in cyclonesand storms. They said that due to the rise in sea levels, Maldives would disappear and Bangladeshwould be adversely affected due to possible future cyclones.SDPI one-day Media training on “Climate Change Vis-à-vis Energy, Economy and Development”Recognizing the media's valuable contributions over the years on the above subjects and themedia's paramount role in enabling the state and society to effectively deal with these challenges,SDPI organized a training workshop for media persons. Media persons from both printand electronic media participated in the event while some of the objectives of the workshopwere to provide media persons the opportunity to share their experiences on environmental issues;enhance an understanding of climate change and its relevance to today's environmental,economic, and developmental challenges; evaluate existing national policies and measures; andAnnual Report2009 - 201045S u s t a I n a b l e D e v e l o p m e n t P o l I c y I n s t I t u t e