REVIEW ON ENVIRONMENTAL

GOVERNANCE IN PAKISTAN
ABSTACT:
Environmental governance in Pakistan has become a key concern in recent years, with rising
urbanization, industrialization, and population expansion putting enormous strain on the
country's natural resources. This article examines the structure of environmental governance in
Pakistan, including the legislative framework, institutional procedures, and impediments to
efficient environmental management. Furthermore, the role of international organizations, non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society in dealing with environmental issues is
highlighted. The study emphasizes the critical need for governance, regulatory framework, and
enforcement reforms to accomplish the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the context of
environmental protection.

INTRODUCTION:
Environmental governance refers to the procedures and institutions that make and implement
decisions about environmental management. Environmental governance in Pakistan has
historically been weak due to a variety of legal, institutional, political, and socioeconomic
reasons. Despite the existence of environmental laws and programs, the country continues to face
serious environmental difficulties, including deforestation, air and water pollution, land
degradation, and biodiversity loss. Furthermore, climate change exacerbates these issues, with
Pakistan being especially subject to extreme weather events including floods, droughts, and
heatwaves.

LEGISLATIVES AND POLICY FRAMEWORK:

A series of laws, rules, and policies serve as the primary framework for Pakistani environmental
governance. The key legislative tools are:

-Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) 1997

This act created the legal foundation for environmental protection in Pakistan. It laid the
groundwork for establishing environmental tribunals and standards for air, water, and noise
pollution.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) of 1997 has numerous key provisions,
including:
Environmental protection.
The PEPA's goals include environmental protection, conservation, and improvement, as well as
pollution prevention and control.
Sustainable development
The PEPA encourages sustainable development.
Environmental agencies
The PEPA created the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and mandates that each
province establish its own agency.
Environmental Tribual
The PEPA established Environmental Tribunals to resolve environmental infractions.
Environmental Impact Assessments
The PEPA requires that any project proponent submit an environmental impact assessment to the
government agency before beginning construction or operations.
Hazardous chemicals.
The PEPA forbids the importation of hazardous waste and the handling of hazardous substances
without a license.
Penalties
The PEPA provides penalties for violating the act, including fines that can extend to one
hundred thousand rupees.

-National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) 2012:

This policy defines Pakistan's approach for mitigating and adapting to the consequences of
climate change. It underlines the significance of incorporating climate concerns into national and
subnational development plans.
The main points are:
Address climate change challenges
Pakistan's National climatic Change Policy (NCCP) aims to address climatic challenges.
The policy's goal is to assist Pakistan adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Prioritize adaptation
The policy prioritizes adaptation activities since Pakistan is vulnerable to the negative effects of
climate change.
Promote clean energy
The strategy seeks to encourage the development of renewable energy resources and
technologies, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy.
Improve water security
The policy seeks to promote water reuse, rainwater harvesting, and solar water desalination.
Improve agriculture
The policy seeks to promote carbon-responsive crops, improved animal breeds, and feed
conservation measures.
Improve interministerial coordination.
The policy intends to improve climate change collaboration among ministries.
Raise awareness
The policy aims to raise awareness and improve the skills and institutional capacity of relevant
stakeholders.
Promote conservation
The policy aims to promote the conservation of natural resources and long-term sustainability
-Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations:
The EIA process is a regulatory mechanism that assesses the environmental impact of proposed
developments. However, implementation and enforcement have been inadequate.
The main points of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are to identify and evaluate the
environmental, social, and economic impacts of a proposed project, and to use that information
to help decision-makers make informed choices:
Identify impacts
An EIA identifies the potential environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project,
including both positive and negative impacts.
Predict impacts
An EIA predicts how a project might impact the environment, people, and the economy.
Evaluate impacts
An EIA evaluates the potential impacts of a project, and determines how to mitigate negative
impacts and maximize positive impacts.
Support decision-making
An EIA helps decision-makers consider the environmental impacts of a project when deciding
whether to proceed.
Avoid or minimize negative impacts
An EIA helps avoid or minimize negative impacts on the environment, people, and the
economy.
Maximize positive impacts
An EIA helps maximize positive impacts on the environment, people, and the economy.
Be applied early
An EIA is most valuable when applied early in the planning process for a project.
Lead to monitoring
An EIA should lead to a mechanism for monitoring the project to ensure environmental
management.

-Pakistan National Environmental Policy 2005:

It establishes a framework for handling critical environmental challenges like water
management, pollution control, and biodiversity conservation.
The main points of Pakistan's National Environmental Policy of 2005 include:
Integrating the environment into development
Incorporating environmental considerations into sectoral policies and plans, and promoting
strategic environmental assessment
Enforcing environmental impact assessment
Ensuring that the Pakistan Environment Act's provisions on environmental impact assessment
are strictly enforced for all development projects

Building capacity
Establishing Environmental Protection Agencies and Departments as members of Provincial
Departmental Working Committees
Accounting for the environment
Integrating environmental and natural resource accounting into the national accounting system
Monitoring air quality
Continuously monitoring the air quality of major cities and sharing the information with the
public

INSTITUTIONAL ASSIGNMENT:
Pakistan's institutional architecture for environmental regulation includes a number of federal
and provincial government entities and departments. Following the 18th Amendment to the
Constitution in 2010, environmental responsibilities were delegated to the provinces, who were
responsible for enforcing environmental legislation.

Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC)

At the federal level, the MoCC coordinates efforts to address climate change and environmental
challenges. It is also in charge of coordinating with international environmental organizations
and carrying out Pakistan's duties under global agreements such as the Paris Agreement.

Provincial Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs)

Each province has its own EPA, which is charged with monitoring and implementing
environmental laws and regulations. However, these agencies frequently lack enough manpower,
money, and technical knowledge.

Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC)

This is an apex committee chaired by the Prime Minister that develops national environmental
policy and monitors their implementation. However, the PEPC's influence has dwindled over
time due to political and procedural issues.

CHALLENGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE:

Several challenges hinder effective environmental governance in Pakistan:

Weak Enforcement of Laws

Although environmental laws exist, their enforcement is inconsistent. EPAs often lack the
resources to monitor and regulate pollution, deforestation, and land degradation effectively.
Overlapping Jurisdictions
The devolution of environmental responsibilities to provinces has led to jurisdictional overlaps
between federal and provincial bodies, resulting in inefficient coordination and policy
implementation.

Lack of Public Awareness and Participation

There is a general lack of awareness about environmental issues among the public. Additionally,
opportunities for civil society participation in environmental decision-making are limited,
reducing the effectiveness of grassroots advocacy for sustainable development.

Industrial and Urban Growth

Rapid industrialization and urbanization have exacerbated environmental problems. Urban areas,
in particular, face severe air and water pollution, and unchecked industrial activities contribute to
environmental degradation.

Climate Change Vulnerability

Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Floods,
droughts, and rising temperatures pose significant challenges for agriculture, water security, and
overall economic stability. However, the country’s response to climate change has been slow and
inadequate

ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND NGOs:

International organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the
World Bank, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have been
instrumental in promoting environmental governance in Pakistan. These organizations provide
technical and financial aid for environmental conservation projects, as well as capacity building
for government entities.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society have also worked to raise
environmental awareness and advocate for stronger environmental regulations. Organizations
such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan, the Sustainable Development Policy
Institute (SDPI), and the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) address topics ranging from
biodiversity conservation to climate adaptation.

RECCOMENDATION FOR IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL

GOVERNANCE:
To improve environmental governance in Pakistan, several key reforms are necessary:

Strengthening Institutions
There is a need to enhance the capacity of environmental institutions at both the federal and
provincial levels. This includes providing adequate funding, staffing, and technical resources for
monitoring and enforcement.
Improved Coordination
Better coordination between federal and provincial bodies is essential to avoid jurisdictional
overlaps and ensure that environmental policies are implemented efficiently.

Public Engagement
Increasing public awareness and promoting greater participation by civil society in
environmental decision-making processes can lead to more effective governance and
accountability.

Stricter Enforcement of Environmental Laws

Strengthening the enforcement mechanisms for environmental laws and regulations is critical.
This can be achieved through reforms in the judicial system, better training for law enforcement
agencies, and stricter penalties for violators.

Climate Change Adaptation

Pakistan must prioritize climate adaptation strategies, particularly in sectors such as agriculture,
water management, and disaster preparedness. Building climate resilience at the community
level is essential for sustainable development.

CONCLUSION:
Environmental governance in Pakistan faces significant challenges due to weak institutions, poor
enforcement of laws, and the growing impacts of climate change. While there are policies and
frameworks in place, they are often undermined by inadequate implementation. There is an
urgent need for institutional reforms, greater public participation, and enhanced coordination
among government bodies to ensure effective environmental governance. With the growing
threats posed by climate change and environmental degradation, Pakistan must adopt a more
proactive approach to achieve sustainable development and environmental conservation.

REFERENCES:
1. Government of Pakistan. (1997). Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA).
2. Ministry of Climate Change. (2012). National Climate Change Policy.
3. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan. (2020). Environmental Challenges in Pakistan.
4. Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). (2021). Policy Brief on Environmental
Governance in Pakistan.
5. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2020). Environmental Governance in
Developing Countries.