47. Pakistan Economic Survey 2011-12 - Consultancy Services in ...

Highlights of the Pakistan Economic Survey 2011-12 Urban air pollution remains one of the most significant environmental problems, facing thecities. A substantial body of research demonstrates that high concentrations of suspendedparticulate matter adversely affect human health; prolong a wide range of respiratory diseasesand increased the probability of heart ailments. The higher concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air is a major issue inPakistan. The main sources of SPM are vehicular emission, industrial emissions, burning ofSolid waste, pollens, brick kilns and natural dust. Motorcycles and rickshaws, due to theirtwo stroke (2-strokes) engines, are the most inefficient in burning fuel and contribute most toemissions. The situation of access to drinking water is quite impressive in Pakistan. According toPakistan Bureau of Statistics report (PBS) Pakistan Social and Living StandardsMeasurement (PSLM) Survey 2010-11, access to drinking water to urban and ruralpopulation of Pakistan is 94 and 84 percent, with an average of 87 percent in 2011. InPakistan sanitation facilities are improving. However, much improvement is needed for ruralareas sanitation facilities. According to PSLM Survey 2007-08,the garbage collectionfacilities to the population is only 14 percent done through municipalities, 7 percent throughprivately managed and remaining 79 percent have no system. According to a report released by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) 2012,92 percent people had gained access to drinking water in Pakistan by 2010 while this ratiowas 85 percent and 89 percent in 1990 and 2000 respectively. The MDG target is to achievethe ratio of 93 percent by 2015. Moreover, 48 percent people have been using improvedsanitation by 2010 while this ratio was 27 percent and 37 percent in 1990 and 2000respectively. The MDG target for access to sanitation is 90 percent by 2015. Damage and Need Assessment Report jointly prepared by the Asian Development Bank andthe World Bank regarding floods 2011, it has been pointed out that in addition to causing lossof life, displacement of millions, and huge losses to the economy, the floods in 2011 havealso resulted in environmental damages, heightened environmental health risks and affectedforests, wetlands and other natural systems. The Environmental damage caused by floods has been estimated at Rs. 2762.7million (US $ 31.8 million) and Environmental recovery/reconstruction needs has beenestimated at Rs. 2873.6 million (US $ 33.02 million).Flood Impact Assessment Severe monsoon rains triggered floods in Southern Pakistan at an unprecedented scale, bothin terms of volume and intensity, engulfing all 23 districts of Sindh Province and adjoiningareas of northern Balochistan Province. Approximately, 9.6 million people were affected in Sindh and Balochistan as a result of thefloods; 520 people died and more than 1180 people were injured. According to World Bank and Asian Development Bank report, 27,000 sq.Km area damagedin Sindh province out of the total 27,370 sq. Km. The flood caused total or partial damages to an estimated 998,376 housing units in Sindh andBalochistan.17