Markhor, blind dolphin no longer endangered, claims PM’s adviser – Newspaper

ISLAMABAD: Markhor and the blind dolphin, who were on the verge of extinction in the country, have returned successfully, said on Wednesday the adviser to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam.

“Although there is no credible data for each species in the country, some species are being monitored. The Markhor and the blind dolphin have left the list of animals at risk of extinction, ”said Malik Amin Aslam as he shared the success story with the Standing Committee on Climate Change of the National Assembly.

Since 1947, the Department of Zoological Survey of Pakistan has not conducted a study of species in the country or prepared a red list of endangered animals, the joint secretary of the Administration, Suleman Khan of the Ministry of Change, told the committee Climate.

“There is no credible data available for all species in Pakistan. The surveys conducted by the provincial departments on biodiversity did not adopt international methodologies and were mere formalities, therefore, not accepted worldwide, ”said Suleman Khan.

A new survey of all species will be conducted based on a standardized format, says the joint secretary

Over a period of four years, a new survey of all species will be conducted, the joint secretary said, adding that the survey will be based on a standardized format. The first exercise in this regard will be launched this year, he added.

In response to a question about Markhors trophy hunting, Suleman Khan said the government only issued 12 permits a year, four for Suleman Markhor, Kashmir Markhor and Astor Markhor.

“Markhor is the most expensive trophy in Pakistan that reaches more than $ 100,000 per license. Unless the authentic number of Markhor's population is confirmed after the polls, the government will not increase the number of permits despite considerable pressure, ”said the senior official.

The prime minister's adviser also told members that Pakistan is the only country where mangrove forests that once retired have increased. He said the plantation was an important component of the Green Clean campaign.

“While Sindh assured the center that it will plant one billion offspring, it was difficult to wake up the forest department of Punjab. Punjab had to be pushed to commit to planting 500 million young trees despite sufficient forest sites, ”said the advisor.

Answering a question from the PMLN MNA Musarrat Khawaja, who discouraged the ministry of planting exotic species, Malik Amin Aslam assured members that the government will not plant anti-nature trees.

The committee also dealt with oil refineries that use cheap methods of mixing iron and manganese to improve the quality of fuel sold at service stations.

"Manganese not only damages vehicle engines, it also drowns the catalytic converter, which increases vehicle pollution," said PPP MNA Syed Mustafa Mahmud.

Refiners are mixing 24 mg of parts per million per liter, according to the MNA, which was supposed to be removed last year in April for health reasons.

"Yes, the government has broken the deadline to eliminate manganese," said additional secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, Tanveer Qureshi.

According to a representative from Pak Arab Refinery (Parco), the gradual elimination of manganese proved completely costly for oil refineries.

The members of the committee reacted to the comments of the official and urged her to think first about the welfare of the people and less about the profits obtained by the oil refineries.

The committee decided to hold a separate meeting on the poor quality of oil in the country and force oil refineries to sell quality fuel.

Posted on Dawn, October 3, 2019