ACTIONS NEEDED TO SOLVE THE ISSUES about Hudiara Drain by Picture Map Analysis
Picture Map Analysis Workshop about Hudiara Drain
Held at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU)
Lahore, Pakistan
Members:Dr. Sumera Sajjad, Dr. Atiq ur Rahman, Ms. Husna Malik, Ms Fakhra
- Agricultural Farming and Biodiversity
Biodiversity data should be recorded so as to assess the degree of biodiversity losses.
Issues regarding conservation and biodiversity should be highlighted.
Local residents should be made aware of the hazards of using this toxic wastewater for agricultural and farming purposes.
Survey of health conditions of livestock should be conducted
Animals should not be reared near the drain area.
- Industry
Government should encourage proper treatment of wasterwater by installing combined treatment plan.
Industrial set up along the drain should be penalized for disposing of their wastewater without treatment in the drain.
Polluter Pay Principle should be adopted that the industries within Pakistan which release their effluent into the drain, they have to pay for that pollution.
India should also be reminded about Polluter Pay Principle and the issue should be raised at international forum to stop industrial waste coming from India to Pakistan.
- Analysis
Types and level of contamination should be documented.
Complete soil analysis must be done.
Monitoring of the area affected by the drain.
Continuous monitoring of parameters like pH, BOD, DO, COD etc.
Buffer Zones should be created along Hudiara Drain where there should be no human intrusion or any kind of practices.
Use of GIS
Prepare detailed land ownership record of the fields and farmers which use Hudiara Drain water for agriculture purposes.
- Awareness among Residents
Awareness among people living around the drain about the use of water and its dangers to their life.
Water committees should be made to monitor the effluent discharge report about both sides of the drain.
NGOs and Community based awareness programs should be started for efficient starting of awareness campaign.
Population health data must be collected so as to keep it as record and use to assess the severity of hazard at suitable forum.
- Strong legislation and its implementation is required
Pakistan and India should sign bilateral treaty on this issue.
Governments should arrange meetings on international level and highlight this issue and recall RIO DECLARATION and enforce India to follow international norms specified in Global Agenda 21.
UN and other international organizations and treaty executive councils should play their role to solve this issue.
India should be convinced through hlegal procedures to stop discharging its pollution load to Pakistan through Hudiara Drain and other rivers.
- Hoping for Clean Future
Prevention is better than cure so rather than doing treatment we should not degrade our resources.
We should start nation wide awareness campaign regarding Hudiara Drain.
Media and Newspapers can play important role in highlighting this issue.
There should be strict rules and regulations for installiton of industries along the Hudiara Drain.
Alternative and clear water supply should be provided in this area for agriculture and household purpose.
- Role of NGOs and Other Agencies
Agencies such ad EPD and other environment department take proper actions for the rehabilitation of this drain.
