We have profit-oriented and non-profit oriented organizations on the ground, which carry out work in various sectors for the betterment of society. In a sensible society, whenever a project/program is designed to be initiated, the local communities and stakeholders are invited for their comments on that upcoming project. This might be happening in other Asian countries, but it is not taking place in Pakistan.

The question is why such practices are not happening in our country? Are we not able to do so? Is there no need to do so or something else is there? Are we really concerned about a safer environment? We have national and international corporations and non-governmental organizations that are working for the betterment and uplift of poverty-stricken people of Tharparkar, a district in Sindh province in Pakistan.

Environmental Management Plan (EMP) not happening 

The question is whether these organizations that are working for these have ever developed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) before the project starts? EMP is necessary for all the projects before they are implemented but is particularly needed when construction or any other work is undertaken which involves a potent mix of toxic elements. EMP helps in reducing the adverse impacts of construction on the environment and also to address communities’ concerns. It is also to ensure that the positive benefits of the projects are enhanced.

The EMP document details out the environmental management requirements as identified in the project, and how they would be implemented and managed on-site. It also gives full information about how the project implementing organization would mitigate building impacts (if any) and documents the organization’s response to inspecting, monitoring, verifying, internal auditing, and correcting or improving environmental performance. Better environmental performance has been the main challenge for the organizations as well as people also.

EMP’s development and successful implementation are considered imperative for organizations. The successful implementation of the EMP is dependent upon clearly defining and documenting responsibilities and procedures. Who will do what, and how something will be done? EMP, its implementation, and management are subject to the same quality assurance. The monitoring and auditing of the environmental performance of a project during implementation occurs generally as monitoring, reporting, and auditing by the organization during the period as specified in the EMP. And it is also important and obligatory to share the EMP with the donor and the stakeholders also.

Pakistan poor in implementation

But sadly this practice is not encouraged in Pakistan. Pakistan is good at making policies but very bad at implementing them. The negligence of the Pakistan government in making development and business entities follow the EMP procedure has neither been debated nor discussed nor followed by strong laws.

Undoubtedly, the onus is also on these organizations to come forward and undertake awareness measures, especially in highlighting how they are going to minimize pollution that does not hinder or impact the local population, and rather help in sustaining ecosystems and conserving cultural heritage. It is essential that infrastructure projects are managed in a way that achieves environmental sustainability.

To assist in meeting this objective, organizations should develop a comprehensive, integrated system of environmental management that is applicable during the infrastructure schemes. Development organizations should take steps beforehand to avoid environmental disasters from taking place and which if happens would prove costly to not only them but to the habitat and the local population too.

Donor monitoring important

The donors need to see strictly whether they are funding for the uplift of the targeted communities or they are indirectly contributing to the magnitude of the already strengthened environmental public issues. They should make implementing organizations responsible to comply with environmental concerns with a well-designed documented environmental management plan.

The monitoring and evaluation of the project is also a key feature to assess its weaknesses and strengths. It has been reported that many of the government’s projects have not shown any substantial benefits due to poor monitoring and evaluation of these projects. It is thus necessary to understand that a well-monitored and evaluated project offers many benefits for the donor, implementing organizations, stakeholders, targeted community, and direct and indirect beneficiaries.

Only an innovative approach will work out for sustaining the environment and which would in the long run benefit the people of Pakistan.

(The writer is a development professional and public policy analyst working as Associate Program Officer at Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan. The views are personal. He can be contacted at furqanhyders@gmail.com and tweets @furqanppolicy)