“The declaration recognizes that access to sanitation and safe drinking water as a basic right, and accords national priority to sanitation It confirms commitment to achieving National and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Sanitation in a time-bound manner in all participating countries of South Asia. It also asserts that achieving total and sustainable sanitation in all rural and urban communities in the member countries is not only possible but also is a cherished goal reiterated in SACOSAN-I at Dhaka (2003) and SACOSAN-II at Islamabad (2006).

“The declaration reiterates member’s commitment to the following key principles and specific actions that need to be implemented at household, local, sub-national and national levels to accelerate performance and rapidly achieve sanitation goals:

“Ensuring that the present and future generations enjoy a healthy environment, with clean air, soil and fresh water resources; Achieving sanitation for all will be an inclusive process, involving all stakeholders at all stages, especially local governments, community and grassroots groups; Sanitation will not be considered merely an infrastructure or financing challenge, but one that requires effective policy, institutional and fiscal incentives to change behavior, working in partnership with religious leaders, communities, institutions (e.g. schools etc.), local governments and service providers; and strengthening their capacities and accountability in mobilizing, implementation and monitoring; Promote thinking of sanitation as the full cycle of proper arrangements, safe conveyance and sanitary disposal/re-use of liquid and solid wastes (including solutions that do not adversely impact the quality of land and water resources), and associated hygiene behavior; A range of sanitation provision and service options will be available to choose from.

Basic access to sanitation facilities will be ensured to all by reducing disparities through appropriate budgetary policies, with active participation, contribution, decision-making and ownership by communities; Incentives and support will be provided for the poor and people in vulnerable areas; The needs and concerns of women and most vulnerable (e.g. infants, children especially girl-children, the differently-abled, the elderly) will be addressed as a priority.

Innovative mechanisms e.g. micro-finance by Self Help Groups, will be effectively promoted; Socially and economically disadvantaged households will be mobilized to form groups; and supported to access sanitation and other development programs; The special sanitation needs of women (e.g. menstrual hygiene management) will be integrated in planning, implementation, monitoring and measurement of program outcomes.

The key role of women in managing sanitation and hygiene in community settings will be enhanced; Greater thrust will be placed on promoting adequate sanitation in schools e.g. separate facilities for boys and girls, supported by safe drinking water and with adequate child-friendly facilities. Hygiene education will be incorporated into the school curricula.

To promote good hygiene behavior and upkeep of facilities; Collaboration between countries will be strengthened to develop capacities, sharing of best practices, and to promote mechanisms for independent monitoring; Behavior Change Communication and information sharing will be effectively utilized for creating demand for clean and healthy environment, and for promoting good hygiene behavior; in partnership with Media and using Information and Communication Technologies; Sanitation and hygiene needs to be integrated into health, education and other related policies, and regulations effectively enforced; Technologies (e.g. which require less water and/or no water) and the practice of “reuse and recycle” of human wastes, and solid and liquid wastes (including conversion into energy), will be promoted; Collaborations with the private sector (including toilet associations.

The groups of sanitary goods and service-providers) will be strengthened in developing sanitation standards, technologies and products that are appropriate, affordable, ecologically-friendly and easily accessible; For urban areas, an integrated city-wide approach will be adopted to ensure the safe management (including treatment and disposal) of human wastes, and all other solid and liquid wastes (including medical, industrial and commercial wastes, etc.);The urban poor, especially those in slum settlements, will be facilitated and supported to obtain access to safe sanitation as a part of the integrated city-wide sanitation plans; and The critical role of personnel involved in sanitation work will be recognized, and measures taken to raise their dignity.

“The member countries have committed to achieve the national goals and the Millennium Development Goals on Sanitation in a time-bound manner during the ongoing International Year of Sanitation 2008 and took a resolve for Continuing the advocacy and awareness to sustain the momentum given to sanitation explicitly at the regional, national, sub-national and local levels, in policy, budgetary allocation, human resources, and implementation.

They took vow for strengthening community efforts and developing capacities of Local Governments, non-governmental organizations, youth and community groups to work in partnership for sustainable sanitation solutions. The action taking include to Ensure occupational dignity, health, safety and improve the profile and working conditions of personnel involved in sanitation work and also to prioritize sanitation as a development intervention for health, dignity and security of all members of communities especially infants, girl-children, women, the elderly and differently-abled.

Accordingly, efforts will be made for mainstream sanitation across sectors, ministries/departments, institutions, domains (private, household, schools, community, public), and socio-political persuasions, so that sanitation is everybody’s concern and prioritized in their respective programs (e.g. railways or tourism agencies promoting access to sanitation facilities as a part of their programs).

They will also develop and implement approaches, methodologies, technologies and systems for emergencies, and disaster situations, and for areas, with special characteristics/ terrains or groups suffering temporary displacement. In addition work to advocate globally the recognition of climate change impacts on sanitation provision in South Asia, and develop and implement strategies and technologies that adapt to and mitigate impact and will enable flexibility and variety in options and practical solutions to suit local conditions, preferences, and resources.

“An inter-country Working Group, led by country focal points, will meet periodically to promote research and development, collaborations, exchanges of innovations, experiences and expertise; networks among intra-country groups and agencies will be created for sharing of knowledge and the Indicative “South Asia Roadmap for Achieving Sanitation Goals” will be consulted by the participant countries to develop their national Action Plans for implementation over the 2009-2011 period.

“The declaration while expressing its gratitude towards the Government of India and its people for the warm hospitality expressed hope that momentum gained by the three SACOSANs will be further continued by the hosting of the Fourth SACOSAN in Sri Lanka in 2010, and the fifth SACOSAN in Nepal in 2012.-SANA

The theme of this year’s Day is “harmonious cities,” in an effort to raise awareness of the problems of rapid urbanization, its impact on the environment and the challenges of rising urban poverty.
“Our rapidly urbanizing world cannot claim to be harmonious if slum dwellers do not enjoy opportunities to find jobs and improve their living conditions,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the Day, which is observed on the first Monday in October each year.

“Nor will it be harmonious if the growth and expansion of urban areas comes at the expense of the natural environment,” he added. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the set of anti-poverty targets world leaders committed to in 2000, call for a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020.

“Cities have tremendous potential to be places where balanced development prevails, where diverse people live in harmony, and where healthy living conditions coexist with low levels of energy consumption, resource-use and waste. I call on all partners and stakeholders to do our utmost to realize this potential, and to build decent living conditions for all women, men and children in a way that also preserves our natural heritage and promotes greener and smarter growth.”

Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of the agency which promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and adequate shelter for all (known as UN-HABITAT), said that with the number of urban slum dwellers worldwide moving above the 1 billion mark, rising urban poverty is one of today’s biggest development challenges.

“We have both a moral and ethical responsibility to make our cities more harmonious by making them more inclusive. It is a societal imperative that we fight urban poverty and squalor if we are to secure urban safety and security,

” she said in her message for the Day.

Ms. Tibaijuka added that it is no coincidence that climate change is emerging at the forefront of international debate at the same time as the world becomes more urbanized. “Cities consume upwards of 75 per cent of all energy and contribute to an equally substantial amount of green house gas emissions. Cities must therefore be an integral part of any mitigation efforts,” she stated.

“Reducing the contribution of cities to climate change and the vulnerability of cities to the effects of climate change must be viewed as a historical opportunity to improve the living conditions of all women and men, including the most vulnerable segments of our urban populations,” she added. “I can think of no better initiative than to combine these efforts to make our cities and towns greener and safer and more equitable.”

The UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing noted that the growth of slums in the last 15 years has been “unprecedented” with one out of every three city dwellers today – approximately 998 million people – living in a slum.

“Living in slums means being deprived of access to adequate sanitation, education and health care or to other services and opportunities. It also means being excluded from full participation in civic life and the exercise of citizen’s rights, as slums are considered illegal, informal or transitory and in any case a non-permanent part of a city’s political and economic fabric,” Raquel Rolnik said in a statement.

Numerous events are taking place around the globe to mark this year’s World Habitat Day, including the launch in Bangkok of a free online “Quick Guides” to help policymakers deal with the key issues of housing urban poor in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Quick Guides, developed jointly by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and UN-HABITAT, are in response to the unprecedented growth of slums and squatter settlements that over 500 million people in the region call home.

This year’s Day comes ahead of the fourth session of the World Urban Forum, set to take place in Nanjing, China, from 3 to 6 November. The Forum, the premier global event on managing urbanization, will also witness the launch of the State of the World’s Cities, UN-HABITAT’s flagship biennial publication. Nanjing is also the recipient of this year’s Habitat Scroll of Honour Special Citation, which is conferred upon cities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, local authorities, public, private and research bodies, or individuals for outstanding achievements in the cause of sustainable human settlements.

In addition, the Chinese cities of Shaoxing and Zhangjiagang were given the Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, along with the Rwandan capital, Kigali, the Russian city of Bugulma, and Ciudad Juarez, a major Mexican city on the United States border.-UN News Service

Our very existence on this earth will be in danger if we did not counter serious issues like dry seasons lasting for years, drought-like conditions in vast swathes of territory, continuous rains for months, flash-floods, thunder storms, rising temperature of the world and melting glaciers. This is the reason why climate change was made the topic of World Tourism Day.”

“To stop this change, is the need of the hour and Pakistan intends to play its due role in this regard,” the prime minister said. He said when tourist industry grows the economy of the country grows consequently. The day is being celebrated since September 27, 1980 by the World Tourism Organization. It was established at the Third Session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Torremolinos, Spain, in the September of 1979. The purpose of this day is to display the awareness that tourism is vital to the international community and to show how it affects the social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.-SANA

Marking the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, Mr. Ban said that efforts to tackle climate change are adversely affected when the global economic situation is in flux. “At such moments, safeguarding the planet has often been seen as a luxury, and as a burden on economic recovery and development,” he said in a message marking the Day. “But the remarkable story of the ozone layer, whose preservation we celebrate today, shows such thinking for what it is: mere myth.”

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer – which opened for signature on 16 September 1987 – is the UN-backed treaty to curb the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere that contribute to both ozone depletion and climate change.

The treaty seeks to phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon tetrachloride (CTC) and halons by 1 January 2010. “After decades of chemical attack, it may take another 50 years or so for the ozone layer to recover fully,” Mr. Ban said. “As the Montreal Protocol has taught us, when we degrade our environment too far, nursing it back to health tends to be a long journey, not a quick fix.”

But he pointed out that the pact also highlights how taking action in one area can lead to benefits in other arenas, including efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals , eight anti-poverty targets with a 2015 deadline.

The Secretary-General also called for countries to reach accord on a successor pact to the Kyoto Protocol, whose first commitment period ends in 2012, at a conference next year in Copenhagen. “Our goal must be a decisive new agreement that sets the world on track to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and that provides the funding needed for vulnerable countries to adapt to the impact of climate change,” he said.

The UN World Meteorological Organization warned today that this year’s Antarctic ozone will be larger than it was last year, delaying the layer’s recovery. As of 13 September, the hole measures 27 million square kilometres, exceeding the size of last year’s hole by 2 million square kilometres, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, several UN agencies have banded together for a new educational initiative to raise awareness among secondary school students on preserving the ozone layer.

The scheme called “High Sky” was announced today by the UN Environment Programme , the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization , the UN Children’s Fund and the World Health Organization .

Targeting 13 to 16-year-olds, the project – which encourages role playing – includes books for teachers and students, as well as materials featuring Ozzy and Zoe Ozone. Students assume the role of journalists seeking a job in a news agency, and are challenged to write an article depicting the current state of the ozone layer and its ties to climate change. “Children are the most valuable resource on the planet,” said UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner. “Kids and their parents are protected by the ozone layer, our Earth’s protective shield, which is under continued threat.”-UN News Service

According to reports, water level has risen to 16 and 15 feet in Kanarian Bridge and Gawal Mandi respectively. Nearby residents have been directed to shift at safe places. Rescue teams have arrived at the affected areas. The SP traffic has appealed to citizens not to bring their vehicles on roads. Several accidents took place on the main Faisal Avenue due to heavy downpour and poor visibility.-SANA

He expressed these views while talking to Chief Executive Officer, Khushal Pakistan Fund, Mr. Arif Yaqoob, a member of the Working Group on International Year of Sanitation 2008, who called on him here on Monday. The Minister also reiterated for more active liaison and involvement of KPP with the Ministry of Environment and all the Federal and Provincial EPAs in order to achieve the MTDF Targets and MDGs commitments.

In the meeting it was decided that the Khushal Pakistan Fund Programme will furnish the draft concept papers/draft MoU for future cooperation between the Ministry and the KPP especially in the context of the year of 2009 as a Year of Environment. The Federal Minister said that the Ministry has formulated comprehensive policies which provide broad guidelines to the Federal Government, Provincial Governments, Federally Administered Territories and the Local Governments for addressing environmental concerns, ensuring effective management of the environmental resources, conservation, restoration and effective management of environmental resources, capacity building of government agencies and other stakeholders.

The Minister also stressed upon the importance of Public, Private, Civil Society Partnership to build strategic coordination with public sector and civil society organizations for effective environmental management through creation of enabling environment.-SANA

They aim to highlight policies, practices, processes and products from all sectors of business in the country, which help achieve economic and social development without harming the environment and natural resources.

The following companies will receive the awards:

AES LAL PIR, Aga Khan University Hospital, Attock Refinery Ltd., BHP Billiton, BP Pakistan Exploration & Production Inc., Clariant Pakistan Ltd., Dadex Eternit, Descon Engineering Ltd., English Biscuit Manufactures, Engro Chemicals Pakistan Ltd., Engro Polymer & Chemicals, Etimaad Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd., Glaxo SmithKline Pakistan, Gerry,s Dnata, Habib Oils Mills, INDUS MOTOR COMPANY, International Industries Ltd., KAPCO, KSB PUMPS Company Ltd., National Refinery Ltd., Pak Arab Refinery Ltd., Pak Elektron Ltd.(PEL), Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan State Oil Co., Pakistan PTA, Pakistan Petroleum Ltd., Pakistan Oilfields Ltd., Pakistan International Airlines, Qarshi Indstries (Pvt.) Ltd., Shakarganj Mills Ltd., Shell House, Serena Hotel, Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd., Siemens Pakistan Engineering Co Ltd., Tullow Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., Telenor Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.

In their messages on the occasion, federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi and Sindh Minister for Environment Askari Taqvi have congratulated the award winners and called upon industrial units to fulfill their responsibilities for improving environment. They lauded the environment friendly industrial units and said that government gives importance to those industrial units who comply with environmental laws and others should also follow these rules. Both the ministers appreciated the performance of National Forum and assured of their fullest cooperation in this regard. A national conference on “Environment Management” will also be held prior to the award ceremony.-SANA

The networks upgraded by Nokia Siemens Networks include both 2G and 3G systems built by all major equipment vendors, but a growing number are in the 3G arena, further strengthening Nokia Siemens Networks’ position as the industry leader in WCDMA/HSPA.

“We are clearly an attractive partner for customers seeking for a long-term relationship with a reliable, technologically-strong vendor with an extensive future-proof solution portfolio that provides stepping stones to future success. Operators know that they can rely on us for staying on the cutting edge of existing and new technologies such as LTE and WiMAX, and for challenging ourselves continually to innovate for our customers’ benefit “, said Marc Rouanne, head of Radio Access Business Unit, Nokia Siemens Networks.

In its first 14 months Nokia Siemens Networks signed over 40 new 3G deals, extending the company’s list of commercial WCDMA radio network references to an industry-leading 128 commercial customers. Having enabled over 100 operators to launch HSPA services, also an industry-leading position, Nokia Siemens Networks has connected over a hundred million subscribers to date. Such a large footprint speaks to high level of understanding of operators’ businesses in combination with environmental responsibility – Nokia Siemens Networks Energy Efficiency Solution can reduce energy consumption by up to 70 per cent and is at the heart of the company’s approach to business.

“Our Flexi Base Station is a good example of both those factors in a single product: Enabling operators to reduce the number as well as the cost of base station sites, the Flexi Base Station helps to achieve significant site cost savings through reduced construction work, rent, rapid base station installation and decreased power consumption. The industry-leading energy efficiency of Flexi Base Station underpins Nokia Siemens Networks’ commitment to environmentally sustainable solutions for radio access networks”, said Marc Rouanne.

Project management services and roll out capabilities are key factors in replacing equipment successfully: Speed of deployment, scale and ability to deliver on time network launch are essential for telecom operators. Nokia Siemens Networks globally is deploying a base station “on air” every 3 minutes and continued network availability during this time is assured.

As part of the Radio Solution Nokia Siemens Networks always provides its comprehensive Network and Service Management Solutions, which help the communication service providers to monitor, control, analyze and manage their networks and services, thus improving the user-experience for their customers. Nokia Siemens Networks network and service management solutions support a broad range of technologies from different vendors, and are often considered as a key differentiator in the company’s connectivity solutions.

About Nokia Siemens Networks: Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of communications services. The company provides a complete, well-balanced product portfolio of mobile and fixed network infrastructure solutions and addresses the growing demand for services with 20,000 service professionals worldwide. Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the largest telecommunications infrastructure companies with operations in 150 countries. The company is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com-SANA

The Minister also requested the Japanese Ambassador for his country assistance to Pakistan in conversion of polythene bags into degradable products to minimize the environmental threats. The Minister also seeks cooperation of Japan in developing clean drinking water project in FATA.-SANA

He said that Pakistan has the potential to earn 150 million dollar through establishment of Clean Development Mechanism projects in the country. He said that the UNDP may provide a unit for Clean Development Mechanism at the Ministry of Environment. The Federal Minister apprised the UN Resident Coordinator that Ministry of Environment has initialed the mega projects to minimize the burden on forest resources of the country and earn the Carbon Credits through the Carbon Financing Mechanism.

The Minister appreciated the support and cooperation extended by UN development agencies to the Ministry of Environment which has greatly help this Ministry to develop the policies on environment and initiate follow up programmes for their implementation. The Minister said that its is a positive sign that Pakistan is one of the eight countries of the World in which One UN system is being piloted.

He said that the Pakistan country program includes five core areas, environment; agriculture, rural development and poverty reduction; education; health and population; and disaster management. The Government of Pakistan, the UN development agencies have implemented substantial projects that have been successful on the ground in finding solutions to environmental issue.-SANA

He said that foreign manufacturers were delaying supply of wind turbines to wind projects for three years and beyond. “If we can locally produce wind turbines with foreign collaboration here, our IPPs can install their wind mills early. This is the only way to put up wind mills on a fast track basis to meet energy shortages in the country”, he added.

He said Sindh government will provide them all necessary infrastructure including land, utilities and other facilities. “Besides, we will allow 100 percent repatriation of profits and technical fee”, he noted. The minister said that the government will also arrange meetings of foreign manufacturers of wind turbines with local entrepreneurs. He pointed out that few Pakistani companies were manufacturing wind turbines of 3 to 5 kilowatts at a price range of Rs. 350,000 to Rs. 700,000 per turbine depending on capacity.

He said India was generating 8,000 MW from wind mills. Talking of environment protection, Askari Taqvi said that an “action plan” was being prepared to ensure effective implementation of environmental laws and discourage pollution. Under this action plan, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will increase interaction with all stakeholders and take them on board to discourage environment pollution. We have already started contacting stakeholders including various industries. We know each other and there will be no problem, he observed. He was of the view that EPA has to create erroneousness among the society about the benefits of healthy environment and demerits of environment pollution.

Earlier, various speakers including, managing editor Energy Update Naeem Qureshi, CEO Concept Industrial management Ltd Robert D. Orr, executive director PSO Kaleem Siddiqui, managing director Progas Abbass Bilgrami, CEO KITE Ltd. Abdul Haseeb Khan, chairman National Forum For Environment & Health NHEF Dr. Qaiser Waheed, Dr. Sajid Hassan of Al-Tuwairqi Steel, Abid Mahmood of KESC and Shabbir Kazmi also spoke on energy crisis and gave solutions. The minister also cut the cake and gave away shields among speakers and team of Energy Update.

Moreover Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the government has chalked out a plan to produce 5,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity under Thar Coal Power Generation Project. in a message on the occasion of second anniversary of a magazine Energy Update here. Power generation capacity under this project was to be enhanced to 20,000 MW in the long run. He said that the country was presently in the grip of a serious power crisis with power shortages of 3,000 MW and this shortage was likely to go up to 4,000 mega watts next year. He recalled that the ever-biggest investment from the day of establishment of Pakistan in the power sector was made during the previous PPP government.

The Power Policy of 1994 led to an additional 3,078 MW of electricity production, which in return, led to $3.5 billion investment. Giving a detail of the measures, being taken on urgent basis, Gilani said the present government has devised and is implementing an ambitious plan to coup with the immediate and future needs of the country in the energy sector. During this year, we shall install 2200 mega watt power generation units, he said.

The Prime Minister said the government was giving equal attention on energy saving. We plan to save 500-mega watt of electricity through special load management campaigns, thereby scaling down load shedding. Moreover, Pepco has been directed to ensure provision of 10 million energy saver bulbs at an appropriate price to consumers, he added. He said that he was pleased to learn that the magazine was objective in reporting, open to suggestions and pragmatic in advice to the government, while adhering to healthy norms of journalism.

It is encouraging that the “Energy Update” is projecting all aspects of energy sector and highlighting its true potentials in Pakistan as well as abroad, he observed. The Prime Minister hoped the national media including the “Energy Update” will support the energy saving campaign and also supplement the government’s efforts to achieve energy security, which is vital for a sustainable growth of the national economy.-SANA

He said that Ministry of Environment considers that the One UN Country Programme on Environment could serve as an important mechanism for implementing the National Environment Polices on the ground and effectively address the secotoral and cross sectoral issues with the line Ministries and organizations so that the sustainable environmental and economic development can be achieved in Pakistan.

He said that Ministry of Environment considers it vital that the results, impacts and short comings of United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) implemented during 2004-2008 may be of great help in providing necessary feedback in developing the Joint Country Programme on environment under One UN Reform. The Secretary informed that Situational Analysis Report of the environment sector in Pakistan prepare under One UN Reform has been reviewed by the Ministry of Environment and it was felt to widen the scope of consultation with all line agencies and today’s workshop marks commencement of this process.

He appreciated the support and cooperation extended by UNDP and UNICEF and other UN agencies extended to the Ministry of Environment which has greatly help this Ministry to develop the above policies and initiate follow up programmes for their implementation. The Secretary hoped that Pakistan being one of the pilot country the recommendations of this workshop will provide a solid basis to reform UN System in accordance with specific needs and facilitate implementation of national environment policy with the target to offset the cost of environmental degradation estimated to be around one billion a day.

Speaking on the occasion Director General, Ministry of Environment Mr. Jawed Ali Khan informed that the country program is being piloted in eight countries of the World and two in Asia including Pakistan and Vietnam. He said that the Pakistan country program includes five core areas, environment; agriculture, rural development and poverty reduction; education; health and population; and disaster management. He said that a Thematic Working Group on each of the themes has been constituted and situational analysis has been carried out for each of the thematic areas.

UN Resident Coordinator Mr Fikret Ackura said that the issues of Enabling Environment for Improved Environmental Management and Development, Integrated Programme on Access to Safe water and Improved Sanitation, Integrated Natural Resources Management, Sustainable Urban Development and Green Industries, Energy and Jobs would be addressed under One UN System reforms programme.-SANA

Between mountains in the Hindu Kush range lie six, sky-blue lakes. They are the lifeline of 15 villages where people live pretty much as they have for centuries. The lake region and its many streams, called Band-e-Amir, boasts some of the most beautiful landscape in Afghanistan — including crystal-clear waterfalls, cascading over naturally formed dams that keep the lakes in place.

Such natural wonders make Band-e-Amir the perfect place to create Afghanistan’s first national park, says Bamyan Governor Habiba Surabi. “This is one of our desires, one of our wish that we at least will have something for the tourism attraction, the tourism destination here in Bamyan,” he says. Surabi and other Afghan officials have joined forced with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the U.S. Agency for International Development and other foreign donors to make the park a reality. Not just as a tourist haven, but as a place where the country’s fledgling conservation laws can take root.

A planned, paved road will make Band-e-Amir more accessible, although it could take years to build. “There was just kind of sense with the donor community as well as the government that this particular natural resource was something that was so attractive, desirable and generally worth of protection that it needed to be sort of made an example of,” says Loren Stoddard, USAID’s director of alternative development and agriculture office in Afghanistan.-SANA

He was talking to a five member delegation of IUCN, led by country representative, which called on the Federal Minister here today. The delegation briefed the minister on environmental issues and IUCN activities in Pakistan. The delegation apprised the minister that IUCN devices strategies in consultation with the stakeholders and advises the government for tackling environmental problems.

The Federal Minister said that Rs, 1 billion projects would be initiated in FATA for development forests and minimizing environmental threats to the area. The Minister said that a strong monitoring system would be evolved for timely execution of the development projects and ensuring proper utilization of funds.-SANA

The web-based platform provides a forum to exchange experiences and information on “co-benefits” activities, and measures to adapt to climate change. One example of a co-benefits project from the region is the use of landfill gas, by which the greenhouse gasses created by decaying trash is burned to generate electricity. As a result, the effect of these gasses on the climate is reduced – creating a source of energy for development while mitigating climate change. Other ‘win-win’ projects can be found in the Philippines, where enhanced public transportation services are reducing both commute times and carbon emissions, and in Malaysia, which has introduced innovative strategies for waste management which lower emissions and reduce the build up of waste at the same time.

Participants at the meeting, which was opened by the Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Shigeru Mochida, and Japan’s Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs, Toshiro Kojima, also explored ways of helping developing countries to make adaptations to climate change part of their development efforts.