The National Standing
Committee on Climate Change discussed Rawal lake pollutions and deforestations
in Punjab issues.
Federal Minister for Climate Change highlighted during
the meeting that forests are biggest resilience to forests. The forest can
prevent floods for 72 hours. Pakistani forest cover is less than twelve
percent, which is very less than the requirement.
Federal Minister for Climate Change further highlighted
International law prevents the states to settle population very close to
wetlands. The diseases like dengue are products of Climate Change. The increase
in temperature causes growth of dengue mosquitos.
Previously the Forest Secretary of Punjab briefed the
participants about major seven climate change issues in Punjab including loss of indigenous flora, decrease in fodder production for
private livestock, Low productivity of
Riverine forests .He also highlighted initiatives taken to deal with these
issues.
The Director General Environmental Protection Agency Ms.
Farzana Altaf Islamabad briefed the participants about reasons behind the dying
of fish in Rawal dam. She revealed this fact fish did not die because of
poison. The flow of garbage with rain blocked the sunlight from reaching the
surface of water. This prevented the process of photosynthesis and decreased
the level dissolved oxygen. She also informed the participants that 37 percent
garbage comes into Rawal dam from Murree and 63 percent capital territory.
The representative of National Disaster Management
Authority also briefed that currently there is no major forecast of rain till
15th September. They also highlighted about their activities throughout the
year.
