Daily Times

This year, the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDBD) marked on May 22 highlights significant improvement in the environmental conditions because there was no or extremely low human intervention around the world. Wildlife was roaming on the streets in many cities close to the habitats. Vegetation and biological diversity had deep breathing in the absence of human presence and interventions. Even the wildlife was seen down the footsteps of Margalla Hills in Islamabad. Air pollution was found drastically decreased in 10 cities of Pakistan as the lockdown went on for about two months. The COVID-19 crisis has resulted unprecedented economic loss due to lockdown imposed to protect people from infections. Despite all preventive measures it has taken thousands of lives and has infected millions and counting on besides economic downfall even for the strong economies. The environmental conditions have improved almost everywhere.

Perhaps, Pakistan would be the only country where deforestation and illegal chopping of trees increased as most the watchdogs and regulatory departments were ‘working from home’, means they were in hibernation, asleep and dormant. Some locals killed the wildlife when they approached the nearby villages.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan sealed Monal Restaurant in the Margalla Hills National Park after the case of illegal chopping of trees from five acres was reported in the media. Several cases of same nature playing havoc in the MHNP yet remain unnoticed. Some voices from the highlands were also heard that land and timber mafias were active. Apparently, no action has been taken so far by provincial authorities or courts as environment was devolved 10 years back under the 18th Amendment in the constitution of Pakistan.

Despite civil society and media shouting aloud against the environmental devastation and loss of biological diversity, no authority seems moved until any court of law takes up the matter

Despite being the signatory to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and having several policies and researches, Pakistan has no significant protection and conservation of nature and natural resources that compound biological diversity. Even, May 22 – the International Day for Biological Diversity – has never been on the agenda just for the sake of symbolic remembering the pledging we made on 26 July 1994 while we ratified the CBD.

The day was sanctioned by the United Nations in December 2000 to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In 1993, the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly designated 29 December, the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD), as the International Day for Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations on 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.

The Convention has 196 parties, including 195 states and the European Union (EU). All UN member states but with the exception of the United States have ratified the treaty. Pakistan signed CBD on 5 June 1992 while ratified it on 26 July 1994. As a result, Pakistan was given status of Party to the Convention on 10 October 1994.Pakistan government has adopted several policies to take appropriate measures for the conservation and protection of its biological diversity. However, its effectiveness has always been a big question.

As many as 26 years after the ratification of the CBD, Pakistan stands fifth the most vulnerable country to the impact of climate change, and that because of environmental degradation and loss of biological diversity. Environmental conditions are improving worldwide but we have no action plan to curb the mafias that are the rise, taking advantage of the COVID-19 crisis while authorities are ‘working from homes’.

Despite civil society and media shouting aloud against the environmental devastation and loss of biological diversity, no authority seems moved until any court of law takes up the matter. It is extremely injudicious and irrational that authorities keep their eyes closed on the loss that is not only impacting us – the present generation but the future generations would also face the consequences of the environmental devastation and biodiversity loss. Perhaps, the Supreme Court of Pakistan should take a suo moto notice on it, form a judicial commission and ask for a countrywide report by engaging retires judges of repute and civil society representatives of integrity in the commission. The nation would be grateful if the Supreme Court of Pakistan take up the matter of environmental tribunals too that are mostly in hibernation, dormancy, inefficient or inactive.

The government is all out to spend money on the execution of new green initiatives such as the new national parks, and 10 billion tree tsunami type mega projects that consumes billions of rupees. I don’t know why both provincial and federal governments are reluctant to control the mafias damaging the environment, habitats and ecosystems.

Sooner than later, governments have to check rapid increasing population, unplanned and ruthless housing projects, unlawful land-change practices, and land and timber mafias across their jurisdictions to reduce the fast diminishing biological diversity and green cover. The forest cover has also reduced to less than two percent, and the loss of forests and biological diversity has multiplied the impact of climate change in different forms of emergencies and disasters. If the governments would not take care of their natural resources, pandemics would. Shall we always be looking forward to pandemics and court for our environment unfriendly practices?

The writer is works with an Islamabad-based policy advocacy and outreach think tank