The most horrifying tragedy of “Sahnehah-e-Muzaffarabad aur Muzafaat” had not served as an eye-opener to remind us about the unsustainable existentialist mode of habitation that we have adopted under the influence of materialism and consequent rank exploitation of Natural Resources when the Floods of 2010 followed. It is imperative that we take a closer look at the unsafe and environmentally damaging practices that we maintain.
We can yet avail the possibility of making a new beginning by adopting a 21st Century, Low-cost but High Tech approach that is closest to Nature and thus sustainable, in order to ensure a safe and comfortable future for our children.
By now we are assured of Global Warming; Unpredictable Weather Patterns; Increasing Environment Stress from Pollution; Degradation and Potentially Devastating Natural Calamities as well as increasing Population pressure upon dwindling Natural Resources, all compounded by Geo-Strategic Imperatives. It would be wise to take up the challenge and come up with an adequate response.
Jargon notwithstanding, a new Mechanism based upon Cultural Values and effective Interventions for Community-Driven Sustainable Development is the need of the hour. We must ensure that it is sensitive to issues of Poverty; Emergency Relief; Food Security; Adequate Shelter; Health Cover; Education based upon our own Egalitarian Ethos supported by Eco friendly and Honest Commerce in Basic Economy Generation.
Performance-based upon excellence and not words is required and a clear “Way Ahead” can be demonstrated, imparted, and replicated if proven an adequate response to the challenges that we face. For this purpose, a Model Eco Habitation complete with Mechanisms and Appropriate Interventions is called for. A nucleus based upon the Late Akhter Hameed Khan’s Training & Development Center and a Community Based Eco Habitation that is Self Reliant and Industrious based upon an Improved Sialkot/ Faisalabad Model can be established at Low-cost and in a very short period of time.
Rapid Industrialization through Centralized Training and dispatch of Containerized Units to appropriate locations will serve to uplift the common man and woman if planned and executed scientifically and honestly. For example, Mini-Feed Mills are ordered through existing small and medium workshops. At the same time, small groups of trainees from pre-selected localities are imparted training at a central place with attendant facilities. By the time training is over a Container is dispatched to the selected destination and production can begin. If care is taken in planning and organization this will lead to rapid industrialization. Post Harvest Processing of various produce; small chemical and minerals works; assembly of electronic devices; handicrafts and designer apparel that is not mass-produced, intensive horticulture and other appropriate efforts will soon lead to prosperity.
This factor along with Provision of Clean Water; Roof-Top and Surface Water Harvesting;
Conservation Irrigation;
Integrated Plant Nutrition and Management Systems to ensure “Fair Plants and Produce”;
Environment and Predator, Plant Protection Measures; Rapid Composting:
Liquid and Solid Waste Management through Phytoremediation and Bioaugmentation;
Use of “Low Carbon Building Technology for Earthquake and Hurricane Proof Habitation;
Use of Alternate Energy for a “Clean Skies Program”;
Afforestation, Range and Watershed Management;
Use of Urdu/ Local Languages, based IT Technology for Web-Based Knowledge Banks and Distance Vocational and Learning Centers;
E/ M Commerce;
Geographical and Management Information Systems and Data Banks.
Nutrition Enhancement:
These will prove to be a results-based and dynamic movement towards sustainability.
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