FAISALABAD:World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Pakistan Director ,Tahir Rasheed has said that 160 million Euros Dutch Fund for Environment & Development (DFED) will sustain green projects which will have healthy impact on the lives of local communities as well.
He was addressing an awareness session on DFED in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) here Wednesday.
While calling for the need to integrate global efforts to protect global environment he said for the environmental protection and achieving Millennium Sustainable Development goals an estimated amount of 4.2 trillion dollars was needed. “The rich countries have so far donated 1.7 trillion dollars but still there is a huge shortfall, as vulnerable economies are unable to spare funds for this purpose as their prime object is to feed their burgeoning population”.
Dutch Fund has been created to launch green projects which will have trickle down impact on the local communities, he said, adding that initially a grant of 60 thousand Euros will be given for pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
“In later phase additional grant of 3.5 million Euro would also be given to start pilot projects”, he said, and added that for full-fledged operation of these green projects competitive bank loans could also be provided.
He said that six countries including Pakistan were already working with the funding of Dutch grant while India and Indonesia recently applied for this fund.
About the hazards of burning stubs of rice crop, he quoted that in 17 cities of India a project had been launched to use the stubs for electricity generation,adding that this would prevent damage to the environment.
“With this project the concerned farmers could also get a reasonable amount for their field waste”, he said.
He cited a project in the Indus delta for which 7 million Euro have been earmarked or were in the final approval stage.
He further said that saline water in Punjab could also be used profitably and in this connection 14.9 million Euro grant could also be approved. Similarly bagasse of sugar mills could also be used through environment friendly technologies.
Sohail Ali Naqvi, Senior Manager Fresh Water Program (WWF) said that this organization was already working on textile and leather based projects in Punjab. He said that in Faisalabad a project could be launched to treat industrial effluents as the treated water could be used for irrigation purposes.
Earlier, Executive Member Sanaullah Khan Niazi briefly introduced Faisalabad and Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, while Muhammad Fazil presented vote of thanks.
Dr. Tahir Rasheed presented WWF memento to Muhammad Fazil. He also presented traditional Sindhi ”Ajrak” to Sanaullah Niazi.