| Urban Development and Environmental Research Center (UDERC) A Non Profit Organization working in Pakistan |
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| Proceedings |
INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON ARSENIC IN GROUNDWATER: A GROWING THREAT IN PAKISTAN Held At Environmental Science Department, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Lahore - Pakistan Date: 22 September 2005 ------------------------------------------------------ Pakistan Society of Geographic Information Systems (PSGIS) and Environmental Science Department, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) jointly organized an international seminar on “Arsenic in Groundwater: A Growing Threat in Pakistan”. The seminar was held on 22nd September 2005 in the Seminar Room of LCWU, Lahore. The seminar was attended by large number of people from all walks of life including scientists, environmentalists, community workers and representatives; academia and students form various educational and research institutions. The program started with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Prof. Dr. Kausar Jamal Cheema, Dean Faculty of Natural Sciences, LCWU, while introducing the aims and objectives of the seminar, highlighted the issues related to the arsenic-contamination in Pakistan with particular reference to the increased cases of the adverse health affects in Lahore, Kasur and its surrounding villages. Dr. Noor Jehan, Department of Environmental Science University of Peshawar delivered the keynote address highlighting the occupational health hazards associated with the use and contact with arsenic. Among the lead speakers of the seminar Dr. M. Atiq ur Rahman General Secretary Pakistan Society of Geographic Information Systems (PSGIS) highlighted the contribution of PSGIS for raising the public awareness about drinking water issues in Pakistan. He emphasized on arsenic and water pollution problem in Kasur and Chahklalanwala. He presented facts regarding state of drinking water in different parts of Lahore and Kasur District. He pointed the increasing threat of growing level of arsenic and fluorides in drinking water in the southern parts of Lahore District. He appreciated the kind of facilities which are present at LCWU for the environmental analysis. He said that future collaboration between Japanese institutions and LCWU has a great potential to establish research collaborations between both countries. He also described the possibilities of establishing a Japanese Style Ecological Research Park as a symbol of friendship and cultural exchange between both countries. Dr. Tatsuro Sakano, Department of Social Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology Japan; emphasized on the need of civil society participation for coping the problem with arsenic contamination. Dr. Sakano showed the pictures he took during his visit to Chahklalanwala on 21st September 2005. He described the relationship of social distrust and poverty in different countries. He emphasized on the need of socially adoptable technologies and local governance through social capacity to manage these technologies. He also highlighted the activities of Asian Pacific Civil Society Network which works with UDERC in Pakistan by establishing CSN in different project areas including Lahore, Kasur and Hudiara. Dr. Sakano also described the achievements of his lab to solve the water problems in Kasur by working together with the civil society network in Kasur. Dr. Hideharu Morishita, Professor Aichi Gakuin University Japan also stressed on the need of people participation for the solution of any environmental problem like the arsenic contamination. He also added that environmental evaluation is the need of the time for the betterment of the human population. Dr. Takeshi Komai Institute of Geo-resources and Environment (GREEN), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST-Japan) presented the case study on arsenic contamination of drinking water the report contained the measures for risk assessment and exposure control of heavy metals. Dr. Takahiro Domen, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan also expressed his views in relation to the risk due to arsenic contamination. Prof. Qamar ul Islam, Department of City and Regional Planning, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore highlighted the impact of SODIS water on health and dignity of various rural communities through citizen communities boards in Punjab. He was in favor of introducing low-cost and feasible water purification techniques like purification of water from pathogens using solar rays. Ms. Munazzah Siddique Ahmad WESNET- Punjab depicted the arsenic situation and mitigation measure by Local Govt. Department in affected areas of the Punjab. She also presented a setup for the purification of drinking water from arsenic contamination. Dr. Ismat Naeem from LCWU Lahore suggested the bioremediation of arsenic using Pteris vitatta. At the end of the technical session, Mr. Abid Hussain, M. Sc. Student, University of Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi, presented his views on arsenic contamination in relation to its hazards at the level of the subcontinent. He offered his services along with his team of fellow students to collect samples from the field and to work on them to combat problems related to arsenic contamination. Presentations were followed by discussion among participants after the technical session. Dr. Sajjad Bukhari gave his views and comments on the work carried out by PCRWR in collaboration with UNICEF for mitigation of arsenic. Malik Ehsan (participant from Chahklalanwala) represented his village to describe the situation faced by the poor communities. He portrayed the pathetic picture of his area due to the fluoride and arsenic contamination. Ms. Hania Aslam from WWF-Pakistan, and other representatives form civil society networks expressed their views about drinking water problems. Ms. Hania Aslam presented project regarding the analysis of heavy metals in Hudiara drain with WWF in collaboration with UNDP. She presented her work as a pollution control model, which can be taken as an example. Hudiara is a trans-boundary storm water reservoir that is stretched on a distance of 36km and 120 industrial units are located on its sides. Out of which 60% are textile units. WWF is working with the industry in finding solutions for controlling pollution in Hudiara drain. Seminar was concluded with the remarks by Mr. Mehboob Alam, President Civil Society Network Hudiara. He talked on the poverty level and miserable conditions of his area and appealed the audience to come and observe the environmental situation of these areas. He pointed out that the pollution coming from the Hudiara Drain is actually affecting the health of the Lahorites in the form of food products coming from that area. He emphasized that Lahore city should be protected by protecting its surrounding areas. He stressed on practical solution for environmental problems particularly combating arsenic in ground water. He was of the opinion that economically feasible and socially acceptable techniques must be ensured in rural areas. He appreciated the services by WWF and other organizations. He talked about the contamination of Hudiara drain and the tragic health scenarios in the nearby villages and requested the media to spread awareness amongst the people. As a patriot he said it was compulsory to save water and try best to practically solve the problem and promise to do something. Collaborating Organizations: The following organizations also collaborated for the organization of this seminar.
Powerpoint Presentations (Available for download)
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| Photographs |
