AIR POLLUtion affecting agriculture and locals
The quality of air is decreasing as urbanization and expansion of the country’s industrial plants takes place. Emissions from power plants and industries contribute large amounts of air pollution. (Abbas, 2013)
1 percent of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent on health problems related to the large amounts of air pollution. Air pollution results in a person having respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing and might even cause premature death. Air pollution affects Pakistan’s agriculture. After taking in too much harmful gases, crops such as wheat, have lesser harvest and have even loss nutritional value. Since a large number of Pakistanis depend on agriculture as a source of income, the detrimental effects brought about by air pollution on crops, will result in a loss in income, leading to poverty issues as the cycles continue for the already poor farmers.(Abbas, 2013)
In order to reduce air pollution and improve the air quality in the urban areas of Pakistan, tree plantation is one of the most effective ways. As for the rural areas in Pakistan, effective ways of improving air quality are by relocating industries in their region further from agricultural lands. The usage of animal faeces such as cow dung, and the usage of wood and household fuels can be reduced. (Abbas, 2013)
1 percent of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent on health problems related to the large amounts of air pollution. Air pollution results in a person having respiratory problems such as difficulty breathing and might even cause premature death. Air pollution affects Pakistan’s agriculture. After taking in too much harmful gases, crops such as wheat, have lesser harvest and have even loss nutritional value. Since a large number of Pakistanis depend on agriculture as a source of income, the detrimental effects brought about by air pollution on crops, will result in a loss in income, leading to poverty issues as the cycles continue for the already poor farmers.(Abbas, 2013)
In order to reduce air pollution and improve the air quality in the urban areas of Pakistan, tree plantation is one of the most effective ways. As for the rural areas in Pakistan, effective ways of improving air quality are by relocating industries in their region further from agricultural lands. The usage of animal faeces such as cow dung, and the usage of wood and household fuels can be reduced. (Abbas, 2013)
WATER POLLUTION affecting agriculture and locals
Water pollution in Pakistan is another environmental issue of concern. Waters at ground level are polluted and contaminated by industrial effluents as well as sewage waters. Waters at underground level are polluted by fertilizers and pesticides that dissolve and seep into these underground water bodies. (Abbas, 2013)
Agriculture is what constitutes most Pakistanis' income, and not only does air pollution affect agriculture, so does water pollution as well. Soil fertility decreases as salinity and waterlogging at irrigated land increases, negatively affecting agriculture, costing 0.9 per cent of Pakistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With less fertile soil, there is a decrease in the yield of crops as well as the quality of crops due to the lack of nutrients in less fertile soils. Since most Pakistanis' income comes from the agriculture in Pakistan, the decrease in crop yield and quality of crops means less income for the already poor farmers, leading to poverty as the poor get poorer.(Abbas, 2013)
Feasible ways to sustain the environment and reduce water pollution are by the catering of cheaply priced drinking water to the public by water stations. This helps to reduce the health impacts of water pollution as uneducated Pakistanis reduce their consumption of undrinkable water. Farmers can also be educated on the use of appropriate fertilizers, suitable types of crop, and correct irrigation patterns, which will serve to enhance their crop production on saline lands.(Abbas, 2013)
Pakistan lacks clean potable water leaving many without access to safe drinking water. Only 15 percent of the urban locals and 18 percent of the rural locals have access to safe drinking water. The people face high risk of getting diarrhea and other water borne diseases after drinking contaminated water. Pakistan’s Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) revealed that only 10% to 15% of the samples collected from both urban and rural areas of the country are safe drinking water. According to Muhammad Aslam Tahir ex-chairman of PCRWR, the high percentage of contaminated water is due to insanitary and practices in the rural areas is due to the lack of education. This is due to the fact that most of the people in rural areas lack education and do not learn of the consequences of drinking contaminated water. (APP, 2014)
Agriculture is what constitutes most Pakistanis' income, and not only does air pollution affect agriculture, so does water pollution as well. Soil fertility decreases as salinity and waterlogging at irrigated land increases, negatively affecting agriculture, costing 0.9 per cent of Pakistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With less fertile soil, there is a decrease in the yield of crops as well as the quality of crops due to the lack of nutrients in less fertile soils. Since most Pakistanis' income comes from the agriculture in Pakistan, the decrease in crop yield and quality of crops means less income for the already poor farmers, leading to poverty as the poor get poorer.(Abbas, 2013)
Feasible ways to sustain the environment and reduce water pollution are by the catering of cheaply priced drinking water to the public by water stations. This helps to reduce the health impacts of water pollution as uneducated Pakistanis reduce their consumption of undrinkable water. Farmers can also be educated on the use of appropriate fertilizers, suitable types of crop, and correct irrigation patterns, which will serve to enhance their crop production on saline lands.(Abbas, 2013)
Pakistan lacks clean potable water leaving many without access to safe drinking water. Only 15 percent of the urban locals and 18 percent of the rural locals have access to safe drinking water. The people face high risk of getting diarrhea and other water borne diseases after drinking contaminated water. Pakistan’s Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) revealed that only 10% to 15% of the samples collected from both urban and rural areas of the country are safe drinking water. According to Muhammad Aslam Tahir ex-chairman of PCRWR, the high percentage of contaminated water is due to insanitary and practices in the rural areas is due to the lack of education. This is due to the fact that most of the people in rural areas lack education and do not learn of the consequences of drinking contaminated water. (APP, 2014)