Islamabad: The Prime Minister (PM)’s Adviser on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam on Sunday announced that the country’s first environmental barometer — named the Clean Green Pakistan Index (CGPI) — is to be launched today, according to news sources. The initiative is expected to help monitor the green character and cleanliness of various cities across the country, and assist them in alleviating the effects of climate change.
The Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will launch the programme himself, with several key political, non-political and international people of prestige expected to attend the ceremony as well. The CGPI is aimed at improving the environment and sanitation situation of Pakistan, which it expects to achieve through the launch of a six-month competition between 19 cities. The finals judgments will be based on indicators like sustainable public access to drinkable water, efficient solid waste management system, green cover, and safe sanitation.
The initial phase of the initiative is centered in cities of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who will be judged in the beginning on massive urban afforestation and sustainable supply of basic life amenities. Other provinces will also be included into the programme in its second phase that will be initiated in due time.
Adviser Amin revealed that the country was suffering through PKR 700 billion worth of damage, with regards to issues related to the socioeconomic, health and environmental sectors. These problems were in turn escalated through environmental degradation, deforestation, poor sanitation/ waste disposal and unavailability of drinkable water.
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