ASSIGNMENT NO.

01

SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING-1

DEPARTMENT: CIVIL ENGINEERING

SUBMITTED BY: IRFAN HUSSAIN

REGISTRATION NO. 18-CE-14

SUBMITTED TO: DR. NAEEM IJAZ

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY TAXILA

1.Environmental Issues of Pakistan
Environmental issues are any such issues created due to human activities and cause harm to
the environment. Environmental issues are interconnected, that means one issue
accelerates the other. A variety of environmental problems now affect the entire world. As
globalization continues, the local problems are transformed into international issues.

1.1. WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?

When harmful substances contaminate the environment, it is called pollution. Pollution

refers to the very bad condition of environment in terms of quantity and quality.

1.1.1 AIR POLLUTION

Air pollution includes all contaminants found in atmosphere. These dangerous substances
can be either in the form of gases or particles. Air pollution can be found both outdoors and
indoors. Pollutants can be trapped inside buildings, causing indoor pollution that last for a
long time. The sources of air pollution are both natural and human-based. Air is considered
safe when it contains no harmful dust and gases. Sulfur oxides (SOx), Nitrogen oxides (NOx),
Carbon mono oxide (CO), Volatile organic compounds, particulate matter (PM), toxic metals
such as lead/mercury, chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs), Ammonia (NH3), Odours such as from
garbage sewage and industrial processes, radioactive pollutants, ground level ozone.

Major sources of air pollution include the following:

• Industries
• Automobiles and domestic fuels
• High proportion of undesirable gases such as sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. 
Dust (e.g. cement dust, foundry dust and windblown solid dust)
• Mist
• Smoke
• Carbon black
• Aerosols
1.1.2 WATER POLLUTION

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans and ground
waters). Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into
water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds. Water pollution
affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water.

Point source are those contaminants that enter a water way from a single, identifiable
source, such as pipe or ditch. Examples of sources in this category include discharges from
sewage treatment plant, a factory or a city storm drain. While non point sources Refers to
diffuse a contamination that does not originate from a single discrete source. A common
example is the leaching out of nitrogen compounds from fertilized agricultural lands.
Nutrient runoff in storm water from sheet flow over an agricultural field or a forest are also
cited as examples of NPS pollution. The specific contaminants leading to pollution in water
include a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens, and physical or sensory changes such as
elevated temperature and discoloration. While many of the chemicals and substances that
are regulated may be naturally occurring (calcium, sodium, iron, manganese, etc.) the
concentration is often the key in determining what is a natural component of water, and
what is a contaminant. High concentrations of naturally occurring substances can have
negative impacts on aquatic flora and fauna.

Oxygen-depleting substances may be natural materials, such as plant matter (e.g. leaves
and grass) as well as man -made chemicals. Other natural and anthropogenic substances
may cause turbidity (cloudiness) which blocks light and disrupts plant growth and clogs the
gills of some fish species. Many of the chemical substances are toxic. Pathogens can
produce waterborne diseases in either human or animal hosts. Alteration of water's physical
chemistry includes acidity (change in pH), electric conductivity, temperature, and
eutrophication. Eutrophication is an increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in
an ecosystem to an extent that increases in the primary productivity of the ecosystem.
Depending on the degree of eutrophication, subsequent negative environmental effects
such as anoxia (oxygen depletion) and severe reductions in water quality may occur,
affecting fish and other animal populations.
1.1.2.1 WATER POLLUTANT GROUPS

1. OXYGEN-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES: organic waste, used by aerobic microorganisms

in presence of oxygen.

2. WATER SOLUBLE INORGANIC SUBSTANCES: salts, acids, compounds of heavy

metals. Acidity caused by industrial discharges (especially sulphur dioxide from
power plants). Presence in soil (via polluted water) of these substances reduce
agricultural harvest, as well as to arouse corrosion of the metals.

3. INORGANIC NUTRIENTS FOR PLANTS: water soluble nitrates, phosphates, which are
promoters of eutrophication. Ammonia from food processing waste.

4. ORGANIC SUBSTANCES: oil products, petrol, plastic, pesticides, solvents, detergents,

etc.

1.1.3 NOISE POLLUTION

Disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the activity or balance of human or animal life.

The sound is pleasant or not depends upon its loudness, duration, rhythm and the mood of

person. Causes of noise pollution are

• Traffic noise
• Aircraft noise
• Noise from construction and civil engineering work
• Noise from industries
• Noise from other sources

1.1.4 SOIL/LAND POLLUTION

Soil pollution is defined as the build up in soils of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals,
salts, radioactive materials, or disease-causing agents, which have adverse effects on plant
growth and animal health. Soil is the thin layer of organic and inorganic materials that
covers the Earth's rocky surface. Soil pollution can be caused by the following factors.

 Accidental spills, Acid rain (which is caused by air pollution), intensive farming,
deforestation, genetically modified crops, Nuclear wastes, Industrial accidents,
Landfill and ill legal dumping, land erosion, Agricultural practices such as application of
pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

 Mining and other industries, oil and fuel dumping, buried wastes, disposal of coal
ash, Drainage of contaminated surface water into soil.

1.1.4.1 CAUSES

• Municipal solid waste

• Industrial waste and hazardous waste
• Burning open dumps and forest fires
• Household garbage
• Urbanization and concentration of population
1.2. GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming refers to continuing rise in the average temperature of Earth’s climate
system. Since the early 20th century, the global are and sea surface temperature has
increased about 0.8°C. Each of the last three decades has been successively warmer at the
Earth’s surface than any preceding decade since 1850. Emission of greenhouse gases grew
2.2% per year between 2000 and 2010, compared with 1.3% per year from 1970 to 2000.

Global warming is called the greenhouse effect because the gases that are gathering above
the earth make the planet comparable to a greenhouse. By trapping heat near the surface
of the earth, greenhouse effect is warming the planet and threating the environment.

1.2.1 CAUSES

• Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning power plants.

• Carbon dioxide emissions from burnig gasoline for transportation
• Methane emissions from animal waste, agriculture such as rice paddies
Following factors can also lead to Global warming due to Green House Effect.

I. DEFORESTRATION

Cutting down of trees, thus, leads to an increase in the carbon dioxide level in the

atmosphere, eventually enhancing the greenhouse effect.

II. BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS

Greenhouse gases can also be released into the atmosphere due to burning of fuels, oil, coal
and gas.

III. POPULATION GROWTH

With increase in in population the needs and wants of people increase which consequently
increases deforestation, manufacturing and industry processes.

1.3. CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is a change in the statistical distribution of weather over periods of time that
range from decades to millions of years. It can be a change in the average weather or a
change in the distribution of weather events around an average. Climate change is a
significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods
ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions
or in the distribution of weather around the average condition.

1.3.1 CAUSES

• Increase greenhouse gases (emission from burning fossil fuels- coal, oil and gas)
• Deforestation
• Increasing population (More people more CO2)
• The wetlands release methane, a greenhouse gas

1.3.2 EFFECTS

• Migrating birds are forced to change their time and place of migration
 • Melting of glaciers will lead to higher sea level, which cause floods and put many low
elevation regions at risk of disappearing under water

• New and widespread diseases because of warm climate

• Droughts, heat waves, extreme winter and storms
1.4. SMOG

Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in the air.
It has yellowish or blackish color and also called as ground level ozone. It is a mixture of
pollutants in the atmosphere including nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds that
combine with sunlight to form ozone. Smog also refers to hazy air that makes breathing
difficult.

1.4.1 CAUSES

• Emissions from industries, automobiles, trains and air planes

• Volcanic activity
• Forest fries

1.4.2 EFFECTS

• It is harmful to humans, animals, plants and the nature as a whole.

• Effects on human health
• Causes eye irritation
• Lung related diseases
• Skin diseases
• Asthama
• The ground level ozone present in the smog also inhibits plant growth and causes
immense damage to crop and forests

1.4.3 POLICY FOR SMOG IN PAKISTAN

The Punjab government has been notified a smog policy in the province and six air-
monitoring stations made functional to determine how much India is contributing to smog
in Pakistan.
 1.5. OVER POPULATION

Excessive population of an area to the point of overcrowding.

1.5.1 REASON

• Decline in the death rate and rise in birth rate due to public health and good hygiene
• Migration
• Lack of education

1.5.2 IMPACTS

• The problem of food

• The problem of unemployment and crime
• Problem of education
• The housing problem
• Problem of pollution
• Problem of clean water
• The problem of poverty

1.5.3 SOLUTION

• Creating awareness through Tv, Radio, newspaper and social media.

• Dealing with consequences for overpopulation
• Conservative use of water and energy
• Recycling
• Continue to improve resource efficiency and pollution control so that standard of
living can rise without negative impacts

• Keep human population to numbers that are sustainable

1.6. HAZARDOUS WASTES

Hazardous waste is waste with properties that make it dangerous or potentially harmful to
human health or environment.

Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, contained gases or sludge. They can be the products
of manufacturing processes or simply discarded commercial products like cleaning fluids or
pesticides.

1.6.1 CHARACTERISTICS

• Ignitable
• Corrosive
• Toxic (harmful or fatal when ingested or absorbed)
• Reactive (unstable under normal conditions)

1.6.2 MAIN CLASSES

• Heavy metals (lead, zinc)

• Synthetic organic compounds (DDT, Dioxin)
• Petroleum products (Oil, Grease, Gasoline)
• Acids (hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid)
• Biological substances (bacteria)
• Radioactive materials (medical, military)

1.6.3 MAJOR TYPES

The types of hazardous can be classified as

I. CULTURAL HAZARDOUS

Cultural hazardous are such as unsafe working conditions, smoking, poor diet, drugs.

II. CHEMICAL HAZARDOUS

Hazardous chemicals cause harm by:

 • Being flammable or explosive
• Irritating or damaging the skin or lungs
• Interfering with or preventing oxygen uptake and distribution

III. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDOUS

Approximately 31% of the 56 million deaths in 1999 were due to infectious and parasitic
diseases. The leading cause of death in this category are the acute respiratory infections
e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis and influenza.

IV. PHYSICAL HAZARDOUS

Natural disasters including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, landslides and volcanic

eruptions take a toll of human life and property each year.

1.7. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

Deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil;
destruction of ecosystems and extinction of wildlife.

1.8. ENERGY CRISIS

Pakistan is suffering from energy crises since last four decades. According to the
Ministry of Finance, the energy crisis is the largest single drain on Pakistan’s
economy.Pakistan produces about 81 per cent of its electricity through oil and gas,
which costs us about 9.4 billion dollars. In other words, these costs make 53 per cent
of our total exports and are a significant cost burden on the products which we
purchase from other countries.
2.Government Of Pakistan Policies And Strategies for Addressing
Environmental Issues.
Following are the Policies and strategies are made by Pakistan Govt. to tackle these
environmental issues.

2.1 National Conservation Strategy

2.2. National Environmental Policy

2.3. National Sanitation Policy

2.4. National Water Policy

2.5. National Drinking Water Policy

2.6. National Forest Policy

2.7. National Rangeland Policy

2.8. National Operational Strategy for Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)2

2.1 NATIONAL CONSERVATION STRATEGY

It aims to facilitate integration of environmental considerations in millions of daily

economic, social and physical decisions of individuals, house holds communities,
corporations and Government.Its objectives are the conservation of natural resources,
sustainable development, improved use and efficiency of management of resources while
its major principle is to achieve greater public participation in development of
environmental mitigation,integration of environmental economics in decision making while
focussing durable improvement of quality of life.

2.1.1 CORE AREAS UNDER NCS

 Maintaining soils in croplands

 Increasing irrigation efficiency
 Protected watersheds
 Supporting forestry and plantations
 Restoring rangelands and improving livestock
 Protecting water bodies and sustaining fisheries
 Conserving biodiversity
 Increasing energy efficiency
 Developing and deploying renewables
 Preventing and abating pollution
 Managing urban waste supporting
 Institutions for common resources
  Integrating population and environment programs
 Preserving the cultural heritage

2.1.2 PROVINCIAL STRATEGIES UNDER NCS

 Sarhad Provincial Conservation Strategy (1996)

 Balochistan Conservation Strategy (2000)
 Northern Areas Strategy for Sustainable Development (2003)
 Sindh Strategy for Sustainable Development (2007)
 Punjab Strategy for Sustainable Development—

2.2. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT POLICY

Its goal is to protect, conserve and restore Pakistan environment in order to improve quality
of life of citizens through sustainable development. Its objectives includes

 The Conservation and efficient management of environment resources

 Integration of environmental consideration in policy making and planning process.
 Capacity blinding government agencies and stakeholders for better env. Mgt.
 Meeting international obligation inline with national aspirations
 Creation of demand for environment through mass awareness

2.2.1 SECTORAL GUIDELINES of NATIONAL ENVIRONMETNAL POLICY

It covers the following areas, which includes,

 Water supply management

 Air Quality and Noise
 Waste management
 Forestry
 Biodiversity and Protected Areas
 Climate Change and Ozone depletion
 Energy Efficiency and Renewables
 Agriculture and Livestock
 Multilateral Environmental Agreements
 Cross-sectoral Guidelines (poverty, population, gender, health, trade, local
governance, disaster management)

2.3. NATIONAL SANITATION POLICY

It aims at providing adequate sanitation coverage for improvement of quality of life of the
people of Pakistan and to provide physical environment necessary for healthy life.
2.3.1 OBJECTIVES

 To ensure an open defection free environment, safe disposal of liquid, solid,

municipal, industrial and agricultural waste and promotion of health and hygienic
practice
 To link and integrate sanitation programs with the city and regional planning policies
of health, environment, housing and education .
 To promote Lead Total Sanitation
 Develop guidelines to effective institutional framework.
 Enhance capacity of government agencies and other stakeholders for better
sanitation and particularly water-borne diseases.
 To develop and implement strategies for integrated management of municipal,
industrial, hazardous, hospital and clinical waste.
 Meet international obligation in-line with national aspirations.
 Change attitude towards sanitation services.
 Increase mass awareness.

2.4. NATIONAL WATER POLICY OBJECTIVES

 Efficient management and conservation of existing water resources.

 Optimal development of potential water resources.
 Steps to minimize time and cost overruns in completion of water sector projects.
Equitable water distribution in various areas and canal commands.
 Measures to reverse rapidly declining groundwater levels in low- recharge areas.
Increased groundwater exploitation in high-recharge areas.
 Effective drainage interventions to maximize crop production. Improved flood
control and protective measures.
 Steps to ensure acceptable and safe quality of water.
 Institutional reforms to make the managing organizations more dynamic and
responsive.

2.4.1 GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY

 Holistic and sustainable resource.

 protect the environment.
 Planning, development and management of specific water resources should be
decentralized to an appropriate level.
 Delivery of specific water services should be delegated to autonomous and
accountable public, private or cooperative agencies.
 Services in a defined geographical area to their customers and/or members for an
appropriate fee.
 Water use in society should be sustainable - with incentives, regulatory controls and
public education promoting economic efficiency, conservation of water resources.
 Protection of the environment - with a transparent policy framework
 Shared water resources within and between nations should be allocated efficiently
for the mutual benefit of all riparian users.
  Promote cost effective and appropriate technological options for water supply
systems.
 Increase public awareness about water safety, safe hygiene practices and water
conservation.
 Enhance capacity of line ministries, departments, agencies and organizations at all
levels in planning, implementation and monitoring of water supply programmes.
 Promote public-private-partnership for enhancing access of safe drinking water and
sustainable operation & maintenance of water supply systems.
 Promote research and development for enhancing access, effectiveness and
sustainability of water supply interventions.
 Promote Inter-sectoral collaboration to maximize the impacts of water supply
interventions.

2.5. NATIONAL DRINKING WATER POLICY GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

 The overall goal of the National Drinking Water Policy is to improve the quality of life
of people of Pakistan by reducing incidence of death and illness caused by water-
borne diseases through ensuring provision of adequate quantity of safe drinking
water to the entire population at an affordable cost and in an equitable, efficient and
sustainable manner.
 The objectives of the Policy are to:
 Provide access to safe and sustainable drinking water supply to the entire
population of Pakistan by 2025.
 Ensure protection and conservation of water resources.
 Promote measures for treatment and safety of drinking water.
 Encourage community participation and empowerment in planning, implementation,
monitoring and operations and maintenance of water supply systems
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE.

2.5.1 POLICY GUIDELINES FOR NATIONAL DRINKIG WATER POLICY

 Increasing Access
 Protection and Conservation of Water Resources
 Water Treatment and Safety
 Appropriate Technologies and Standardization
 Community Participation and Empowerment
 Public Awareness
 Capacity Development
 Public-Private Partnership
 Research and Development
 Emergency Preparedness and Response
 Coordinated Planning and Implementation
 2.6. NATIONAL FOREST POLICY (DRAFT)

The policy aims at restoration, development, conservation and sustainable management of

forests and allied natural resources to ensure sustainability of ecosystem functions, services
and benefits for present and future generations of Pakistan.

2.6.1 OBJECTIVES

 Restoration and maintenance of natural forests to preserve ecological cycles,

functions and services.
 Increasing productivity of forests to meet requirements of timber, fuel wood, fodder
and non-wood forest products and to promote sustainable natural resource based
livelihoods.
 Encouraging efficient utilization of wood and non-wood forest products, maximizing
wood substitution and development of alternative renewable energy resources.
  Development of forest resource base to enhance carbon sequestration capacity and
mitigation of climate change effects,
 Mainstreaming sustainable forest management into sectoral policies, plans and
programmes.
 Conservation of biological diversity, protection and sustainable use of indigenous
flora and fauna.
 Fostering public-private partnerships to enhance forest cover and promote
commercial forestry in private sector and encouraging role of civil society
organizations.
 Strengthening forestry education and research institutions to cope with the
emerging challenges of deforestation and climate change.
 Creating mass awareness and involving local communities in sustainable natural
resource management.
 Meeting national obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements
especially CBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC and UNFF.

2.6.2 POLICY MEASURES FOR NATIONAL FOREST POLICY

 Protection of Forest Lands from Encroachments

 Transfer of Forest Land to Non-Forestry Uses - Control of Encroachment - Forest Fire
management - Regulating mining and quarrying.
 Bringing additional Land under Tree Cover
 Firewood Substitution
 Sustainable livelihoods through Integrated NRM
 Transparency and Good Governance
 Wood Substitution and Impact Liberalization
 Grazing Regulation
 Forest Development Fund
2.7. NATIONAL RANGELANDS POLICY (DRAFT)

It aims to rehabilitate the degraded rangelands and pastures close to their potential for
increased productivity enhance their environmental and regulatory functions and services,
increase and conserve rangeland biodiversity besides mitigating the negative impacts of
global climate change through collaborative and holistic rangeland resources to contribute
to the livelihood improvement of the range lands dependent communities as well as to the
national economy.

2.7.1 OBJECTIVES

 To enhance the productivity and the related functions and services of the rangeland
ecosystem
 To promote rangeland enterprises for the livelihood improvement of the rangeland
dependent communities
 To conserve and maintain rangeland biodiversity.
 To mitigate the negative impacts of global warming and climate change especially
related to the desertification.
 To enhance the skill and capacity of the key stakeholders for the sustainable
management of the rangeland management
 To undertake applied and action research on the key problems of the rangelands

2.7.2 POLICY THRUSTS OF NATIONAL RANGELANDS POLICY

 Rangeland resource assessment and monitoring

 Collaborative and integrated rangeland resources Planning
 Rang resource rehabilitation and management.
 Increase forage availability on other land use.
 Promotion of rangeland enterprises
  Management of rangelands for regulating sustainable water flow and reduced
sediment production.
 Ecosystem rehabilitation for biodiversity conservation
 Mitigation of the impact of global warming and climate change
 Awareness raising about the significance and management of rangelands.
 Skill enhancement of the farmers and capacity building of the related stakeholders
 Applied range research and technology development and transfer.
 Financial resource generation
 Coordination and linkages development
2.8 NATIONAL OPERATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CLEAN DEVELOPMENT
MECHANISM (CDM)

 The Strategy describes the functions and powers of the Designated National
Authority (DNA) for CDM in Pakistan
 Described institutional structure for CDM including the role of Prime Minister’s
Committee, CDM Steering Committee and Technical Committees for managing CDM
process in Pakistan.
 Describes eligibility criteria for hosting CDM Project in Pakistan
 Describes process for grant of Host Country Approval to CDM projects in Pakistan.