The Climate (press For Peace)

The Climate The online magazine of the Press for Peace (PFP) that supports wildlife conservation and environmental awareness

Crown of Neelum Valley (www.flickr.com)

PRESS FOR PEACE (PFP) Environment Section www.pressforpeace.org.uk Bank Road, Muzaffarabad, Jammu and Kashmir Ph: 0092 -5822-445457 Fax: 0092 5822 -45437 Cell: 0092 3015710575 Email:[email protected]

Each 'Eid` is a Day of peace. Wishing you ALL a very Happy Eid from Press for Peace

Kashmiri girl in traditional Kashmiri dress (Photo by Asif Raza Mir)

EDITOR S`DESK

Dear Friends, Welcome to The

Climate

Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole existence is joyful.

Everything is simply happy. The

Climate

magazine is a print-based magazine and it is our labour of love with nature. It is packed with full of information, some fascinating stories in the last month for you to

read. Our aim is to inspire

readers with the sheer wonder and beauty of nature and help them understand and appreciate the truly amazing world around them. With the latest developments , views and news on wildlife, conservation and environmental issues, and trusted further -information sources, the magazine is a 'must read' for anyone with a passion for the subject . Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. I'd really like to hear stories from practitioners in the field doing work that they think should be shared so please keep sending your news, opinions and photographs to us. (Ejaz Ur-Rehman-Editor)

THIS ISSUE ENDANGERED PHYTON SPOTTED IN AJK This month’s fact file takes a close look at elusive Endangered PhtonBy Tariq Naqash (Page 2)

PRESS FOR PEACE DEEPLY CONCERNS OVER WATER ISSUES OF PAKISTAN Director Environment Press For Peace Well Comes Water Week. Global leaders and policy makers are gathering in Sweden this week to discuss water-related challenges as Worl Water Week convenes in Stockholm.(Page 6)

Economy of Environment Clean and neat environment is not only guarantee to a healthful life but it provides the natural surrounding to the survival of wildlife on which the high performance of ecosystem rests. By T.H.Shah (Page 8)

Hydropower project Threatens EcoJewel of Pakistani Kashmir Pakistan has initiated a massive hydropower project in its administrative part of Kashmir without fulfilling basic environmental obligations required for such development projects. By Zafar Iqbal (Page 12) Press For Peace Signs the Petition Press for Peace signs the petition at (Seal the Deal http://www.sealthedeal2009.org) on Global Climate Week 21-25 September 2009. (Page 17)

Garbage Collection: Who blames Whom ? It is a common practice to witness heaps of garbage scattered every where in Kashmir valley. The garbage can be seen lying mostly along the roadside. City-centre is no exception to it .By Afsana Rashid (Page 19)

Biodiesel is a realistic clean burning fuel alternative Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, and "more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt" .By Nazia Nazar (Page 22)

Plight of Endangered Snow Leopard The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an endangered species of cat that lives in the mountains of Central Asia .By Ejaz Ur-Rehman (Page 26)

Endangered Python Spotted in AJK

By Tariq Naqash MUZAFFARABAD: Wildlife officials in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are trying to find out the whereabouts of a ‘near threatened’ species of a recently near here during the excavation of a tunnel of a power project.

python morulus sighted

“We have come to know from reliable external sources that a python morulus was recently spotted during the excavation of the tunnel of Neelum -Jhelum hydroelectric project but there is no news as to what happened to the near threatened species afterwards,” AJK wildlife and fisheries depar tment director Sardar Javaid Ayub told Dawn here on Thursday.

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(Python morulus) The 969-megawatt Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Electric Project, which envisages diversion of River Neelum waters from Nauseri village through a 47kilometre long tunnel, is being constructed by a consortium of two Chinese companies - CGGC-CMEC - at a cost of Rs 90.9 billion. The latest Red Data Book of the IUCN regards the python morulus as vulnerable species. The non -venomous snake, which is also reared as a pet in some south and far eastern countries, occurs in tropical and lower subtropical zones, inhabiting dense or open forests, rocky areas and river belts. In

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Pakistan it was scattered in most parts through River Indus but currently faces the threat of extinction. Pythons are killed for their skins. Due to the large size (up to 6 metre in length), attractive markings and strength, the skin of Python Morulus is the most valuable of all of snake skins. Mr Ayub said it was for the first time in at least three decades that the mighty snake was spotted in the north of AJK in Muzaffarabad. “I have detailed a team to ascertain all information regarding sighting, capturing and present possession of the python,” Mr Ayub said, pointing out that hunting of the species was completely prohibited and punishable under the prevailing wildlife laws. A brief footage made from a mobile phone and available with this correspondent shows that the python is more than 20 -feet long and has greyish markings. A local worker at the project site in Nauseri told a team of local journalists the other day that the huge snake came across the earth removing machine during the process of excavation, “taking all of us by surprise.” “The Chinese people (supervising the work) tranquilised the snake and later removed it from the site in a Shehzor mini -truck,” said the local worker who declined to give his name to avoid any problems. The only Chinese who could converse in English slipped from the site to avoid the queries of the team, one of its members told Dawn on Thursday.

(View of Neelum River ,Azad Kashmir)

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Mr Ayub made it clear that his department would take strict punitive action in this matter. “Whoever is found guilty will be taken to task…We will go by the law to set an example for others,” he said.

When Dawn contacted Mr Ali Raza Shah, project director of Neelum -Jhelum hydroelectric project, he said he did not have any such information.“I will check and let you know within two -three days,” he said . (Witter is Daily Dawn Correspondence AJK, article source www.dawn.com/.../endangered-pythonspotted-in-ajk-)

“The most important environmental issue is one that is rarely mentioned, and that is the lack of a conservation ethic in our culture”. Gaylord Nelson

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PFP asks India and Pakistan to resolve water issues

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Srinager, Jammu and Kashmir:

Press For Peace (PFP) has urged Pakistan and India to resolve their water issues to bring socio economic change in the region . On the occasion of World Water Week observed on 16 – 22 August , world leaders in Stockholm, Sweden vowed to protect water resources of the earth. Director Press For Peace (PFP) Ejaz Ur Rehman, who is also editor of PFP Magazine “The Climate”, said in a st atement that because of increasing environmental changes in South Asia the populations of Pakistan and India would suffered from alarming water and food shortages in the coming years. Referring the recent report of the United Nations Rehman said that melt ing of glaciers in Sub continent would raise the issues of people migration and shortage of water, intensifying tensions between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. “The number of people without access to clean water is expected to rise as water becomes scarce r due to the effects of pollution, urbanization, and climate change in Himalayan region”. He opined that India and Pakistan should review Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in order to accommodate the requirements of deprived farmers and both neighboring countries and people of State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is the major source of the rivers falling towards Pakistan and India.

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According to ‘the IWT’ India has exclusive rights to the three major southern rivers - Ravi, Beas and Sutluj, while Pakistan has the rig hts to three northern rivers that first flow through India -controlled Kashmir - the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. He said that most of the rivers are originated from Jammu and Kashmir; however, without the representation of governments and people of Kashmir in the IWT, the region of Jammu and Kashmir has been denied from its fair right of water use charges. He deplored that in spite of the profusion of water sources in conflicted state of Jammu and Kashmir, hundreds of its villages are yet to be electrified in both parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan. The PFP asked India and Pakistan to hand over the ownership of Salal Dam and Mangla Dam to respective local governments of Indian and Pakistani Kashmir. Pakistan blames India for stealing wate r of Chenab River while India believes that Pakistan is violating IWT by diverting Neelum River to Jehlum River in Pakistan administrative Kashmir.

Economy of Environment

By T.H Shah

[email protected] Clean and neat environment is not only guarantee to a healthful life but it provides the natural surrounding to the survival of wildlife on which the high performance of ecosystem rests. With passage of time and development of new shifts in understanding of environment, it is now comprehended from generating revenue for contributing to the economy of the states. In developed

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countries of the world, preservation of national parks and the phenomenon of giving natural touch to the parks and places of public leisure accrue lot monetary benefits to the government which in result is spent on the welfare and development of the people.

In European countries, it is hallmark of the policy that w hile planning city and town, the environmental facet is always taken into consideration. In most of the towns and cities, the retention of parks makes their room which

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consequently assume the income generating places for good. The reason is to lend the economic touch to the environment which unfortunately is perceived in a very narrow sense in most of the underdeveloped countries.

Fig Source (envis.mse.ac.in) In most of the Far Eastern countries like Thai Land and Singapore, the governments receive sufficient revenue from development of environmental economy. They have built parks even on the beaches thus not only enhancing the beauty of natural picturesque but have turned into magnetic places for promotion of tourist industry in the country. In Mauritius, the large fraction of economic growth counts upon tourist industry where the main impetus behind is improvement upon already existed natural beauty. In Pakistan, the tragedy is the unconsciousness of the masses an d policy making institutions towards understanding the economy of the environment. Irony is that the concept of cleaning is restricted to the household only. It is common observation that people throw the rubbish into the streets without minding the negative repercussion it carry from hygienic viewpoint. In similar,

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according to government statistics of 2008, in Pakistan an estimated 54 percent of the population has access to sanitary toilet (86 percent urban and 30 percent rural), means people in rural are as don’t have toilets. The reason is not financial constraints, but according to a social survey, it’s a poverty of mind on environment. This whole streak of unawareness spanning over policy -making levels has caused tremendous loss to the development of en vironmental economy in Pakistan. The situation is further made worst at the hands of land -grabbing mafia who keep watching such areas which may have turned into the commercial quarry. Such land -grabbers, in collusion with some official power circles, succeed in snatching lands and construct huge plazas, shopping centres or residential place for mere furthering their financial interests. If such types

of trends and evils are reined in, then the commercial places can become source of natural beauty and centre of revenue to the government. One such nerve-numbing thing has been the construction of military general head quarter in the feet of Margalla hills at Islamabad which not only going to waste the large terrain of lands but is certainly a potential risk to the flora and fauna of the world beautiful capital. There is another area requiring attention from the perspective of environmental economy is already available places which if utilised can produce massive benefits. One such example is the vast terrains of land along side the banks of the Ghazi Barotha Canal (50 miles long). If government concentrates, this barren piece of land can be turned into small parks for public leisure. Fortunately it accounts for sufficient land in small intervals of distances whic h can be used for environmental economy. Same is the case with the banks of Rive Sindh which if properly planned with the coordinated efforts of both government and non -governmental organisations working on environment can be transformed into a magnetic pl ace for not only locals but for outside tourists as well; because it will prove commercial centre also equally being a

public leisure place. The construction of small take - aways like fish points or tea and fast food corners at these places will certainly prove useful in judicious use of environmental economy. Here becomes of pivotal importance the role of civil society organisations to come forward and launch campaigns for massive awareness on environment particularly from the scenario of the economy of e nvironment ( writer is Director Research of Press for Peace)

“Take care of the earth and she will take care of you”

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Hydropower Project Threatens Eco-Jewel of Pakistani Kashmir

By Zafar Iqbal [email protected]

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MUZAFFARABAD, Jammu and Kashmir , June 12, 2009 (ENS) - Pakistan has initiated a massive hydropower project in its administrative part of Kashmir without fulfilling basic environmental obligations required for such development projects. Contemporary international environmental laws and standards bind all governments and their publics to conduct environmental impact assessments and ecological surveys for all major projects to achieve the goal of sustainable development. Regardless, Pakistan's Water And Power Development Authority has sta rted the construction of the US$2.16 billion Neelum -Jhelum Hydro Project in the remote and scenic Neelum Valley, 100 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Islamabad, without an environmental impact assessment. The 969 megawatt project will divert the Neelum River, also called the Kishangana, which originates in the Indian part of Kashmir. The Neelum will flow through a 47 kilometer -long underground tunnel system to another river, the Jehlum, near Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. The water rights for this hydropower project are causing a conflict between the two countries. India and Pakistan had agreed on the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which gives rights of three rivers, the Indus, Chenab and the Jhelum, to India; and three rivers, t he Ravi, the Sutlej and the Beas and their tributaries, to Pakistan.

However, both parties to the treaty began arguing again after co nstruction of the Bagliar Dam in Indian Administrative Kashmir in 1999. Pakistan now claims that it should get "priority rights" to the use the water of the Neelum River for this hydro project. Chinese, Norwegian and Pakistani firms are all involved in the project, estimated to take eight The Neelum River at Nikron (Photo by Heartkins) years to build. The China Gezhouba Group Co. Ltd. would construct the project while the Norwegian firm NORPLAN, with the collaboration of local firms, would be responsible for the underground work with involvement in the mechanical, civil and electrical parts of the development. Once completed, the Neelum -Jhelum Hydro Project would be the first underground hydropower project of its kind in Pakistan. Officials o f the local Environmental Protection Agency working on the project area have confirmed that the Water And Power Development Authority, WAPDA, has started construction work, disregarding environmental

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considerations and the protection of natural resources a important ecological zone.

nd wildlife in this

The builders insist that the project does not pose any threats to the area's ecological system, as an initial study conducted in the 1990s had suggested "limited environmental impacts of the project." On the other hand, local ecologists contradict these claims of the WAPDA authorities. "Much has been changed during this period in terms of people's conditions, needs and ecology and necessitates fresh evaluation of the concealed damages," says an EPA source, w ho asked to remain unidentified to avoid possible conflict within his agency. He predicts alarming hazards to the local ecosystem due to the hurried start of the hydro development venture because the government has ignored environmental assessments that a re supposed to be conducted for the protection of environment and rights of local populations.

Yet there is a great demand for the power the project would produce. Today, 40 percent of Pakistan's population lives without electricity, and the country is facing a severe energy crisis. In some areas the power is out for 16 hours a day, paralyzing the national economy and resi dents' The city of Muzzaffarabad has 750,000 residents. daily routines. (Photo by Travlr)

The government has already scrapped its long disputed Kala Bagh Dam project after uncompromising objections from affected provinces. Crippled by a surge in extremism, suicide attacks and the recent military operation against the Ta liban, Pakistan is struggling to overcome its energy deficiencies in order to run its day-to-day affairs. The hastily initiated Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Project is part of the government's attempt to alleviate the huge shortfall in meeting energy demand. Susta inable development and public concerns are being ignored in the government's rush to find new sources of power. The WAPDA is being criticized for bulldozing the rights of the indigenous population, various tribes of Kashmirs. They fear that the government will deprive them of their arable land and fruit orchards, which already have been

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affected by the earthquake of 2005 and the Indo -Pakistani rivalry along the line of control - the defacto border of divided Kashmir.

endangered wild animals in the project area have significant conservation importance for the Himalayan ecosystem.

Also, the package offered by the gover nment to compensate farmers for their lands does not equal to the market price of the property. The compensation offered has been called disgracefully low and has created profound resentment among the landholders.

The scenic Neelum Valley is inhabited by rare species on the verge of extinction. The world famous Kashmiri otter is now rarely seen in the valley, and ibex, blue sheep, urian, big horned sheep, snow leopards, and flying squirrel are increasingly rare.

"The government must pay the compensation of affected land according to market price and arrange alternative residentional towns," demands Tariq Ali, a representative of the Action Committee of affected farmers.

The valley is one of the few sites where a breeding population of the western tragopan pheasant, Tragopan melanocephalus , still exists. With its brilliant red neck and black and white speckled plumage, the tragopan pheasant is one o f the most magnificent in the world.

Local environmental groups point to deliberate violation of laws by government officials and have expressed their concerns about environmental risks to the local economy and biodiversity of the Neelum Valley. The hydro development would red uce public access to many places, limiting recreational opportunities. Community in the Neelum Valley (Photo credit unknown)

Ecologists say the abundant forests, aquatic life and the presence of many species of globally

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Other birds such as quills, partridges, vultures, kites, and eagles abound. A rich variety of ducks, geese, cranes, terns and waterfowl still nest in the valley's wetlands, lakes and streams, and the loss of forest and fresh water there is great threat to their habitat. The Global Environment Facility has contributed millions of U.S. dollars to protect local natural resources through the Machiara National Park Project located in the Neelum Valley, one of the three glob ally significant national parks selected for a GEF-funded project.

Residents fear the local economy will suffer because of the hydro development. In Kashmir, 88 percent of the population lives in rural areas and depends upon forestry, livestock and agriculture for their existence. Water from these rivers and nearby natural springs is a major source for drinking water and irrigation water for farm lands located along the Western tragopan pheasant male banks. Sagar Bhardwaj)

Electricity, too, is a basic human need, but local residents say it mus t not be generated at the cost of disruption to biodiversity, habitat loss, fragmentation and the displacement of indigenous populations. Critics of the project say too many hydropower plans are made without looking at the big picture, and as a result the se projects can have negative impacts on the environment. Some of the damage done to biodiversity by hydropower facilities can be reduced by equipment upgrades, mitigation measures, and proper management. Local user groups and other stakeholders want to b e involved in the decision making process to protect peoples' livelihoods and the sustainability of aquatic resources. (Photo by Gobind

Communities along the Neelum River also are concerned that diversion of the river would cause acute water scarcity, making life miserable for inhab itants. The 750,000 people in the city of Muzaffarabad would be affected because the Neelum River is their chief source of drinking water after it goes through a purification process.

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They say the river systems should be thoroughly studied together with agencies that have jurisdiction over electricity, irrigation, fish eries and the environment as well as local authorities during the planning and implementation stages of this project. (Writer is Executive Director of press for Peace, article source Environment News Service (ENS) 2009)

Press for Peace signs the petition (Seal the Deal http:// www.sealthedeal2009.0rg) for a fair climate agreement at the Copenhagen 2009 on Global Climate Week 21-25 September 2009.

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Press for Peace UK ( September 2009): Press For Peace is an independent, non-partisan and non -governmental research and advocacy organization. It was established in 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir as a platform to provide advocacy, research, education and networking in peace, human rights and environment related issues. Together with other civil society organizations around the globe, Press for Peace (PFP) concentrates on fundamental issues of today and identifies ways and means to address these issues.

result of human activity, and that this is likely to have far reaching environmental, soc ial and economic consequences. If the rate of burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) continues to grow as currently planned, the climate next century is likely to change at a rate greater than that experienced on Earth at any time during the last 10,0 00 years. Industrialised countries are the main source of these emissions, but the people most seriously affected will be those in developing countries, for instance those in low lying areas

Climate change is a serious threat to the well -being of God's creation. There is now widespread international consensus that the atmosphere is warming as a

Global Climate Week is planned to coincide with the United Nation s SecretaryGeneral's High Level Summit on Climate Change on 22 September 2009. This

important week and the lead -up weekend will be marked by synchronized activities in more than 100 cities to urge world leaders to seal a fair and effective climate agreeme nt at the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen this December. Press for Peace signs the petition at (Seal the Deal http://www.sealthedeal2009.org) on Global Climate Week 21 -25

September 2009 and strongly urged to the wealthy and industrialised countries to stop green house gases emission. What we’re lacking is real action. The governments need to put in place meaningful policies to urgently reduce emissions and to act on them immediately.

“Don't blow it - good planets are hard to find” ~Quoted in Time

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GARBAGE COLLECTION: Who blames Whom ? By Afsana Rashid (Srinagar) [email protected]

It is a common practice to witness heaps of garbage scattered every where in Kashmir valley. The garbage can be seen lying mostly along the roadside. City centre is no exception to it. Garbage could be seen piled near Ghanta Ghar [clock tower] in Lal Chowk, especially during strikes and un -declared curfew. Even domestic animals can be seen roaming and enjoying moments at this place. Same is the case with other busiest centres of city and one can easily gauge

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the situation prevailing on this front in interior parts of the city. Wherever heaps of garbage is present, the surroundings stink. Government takes long time to clean it. In a way, collection of garbage even within Srinagar limits seems to be a tough task for every government. Government in general and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), in particular is yet to rise to the issue on war -footing. They are silent over discussing and formulating waste management plan for the city.

(Garbage heaps Photo Source Afsana Rashid)

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To begin with, a couple of areas have been demarcated as garbage dumping grounds and Achan dumping ground has been in news over a long time, now. Instead of solving the issue, government prefers to keep it in cold storage. Shifting blames on each other [government and residents at Achan], involvement of land -mafia, are some of the major r easons that finally come to the fore. Government needs to get serious over garbage. It affects human lives. Time is not far away w hen garbage dumping and disposal of garbage would be main issues deciding fate of people during elections. Day in and day out instances of garbage-collection pour-in. Garbage sites are the breeding grounds for flies, mosquitoes, dogs and rodents.Rag picker s derive their earning from these heaps. People on street cover their nose and mouth to avoid the unhealthy and

foul smell. It would be unfair to blame government and SMC only. Equally responsible are people as well. They keep their house [in and around] c lean and leave the entire garbage just outside their neighbour’s gate. Dustbins, though few in number, at selected places are not being properly utilized by people. There is no doubt in saying that majority of Kashmiris lack civic sense. They would love to eat the banana but would never bother to drop its peel in the dustbin and would place the same in middle of the road. They would speak against garbage along the roadside, but would dump it at a place where the same has b een prohibited. (The Writer is the editor of Monthly Magazine Reality Bites ,article source,www.realitybitesmagazine.com)

Species are threatened in every habitat on every continent : In the time is takes you to read this page, one of our planet’s unique species will become extinct. By this time tomorrow, a further 150–200 will have disappeared forever. And by this time next year, over 50,000 more. This alarming rate of extinction is 100-1,000 times, and perhaps even 11,000 times, greater than the expected natural rate. One in four of the world’s mammals are now threatened with extinction in the near future. So are one in eight birds, one in five sharks, one in four coniferous trees, and one in three amphibians. By and large, the cause of this decline is human activities. The land we use for living space, food, clothing, housing, fuel; the things we buy; and the waste we produce – all this contributes to the main causes of species loss: · · · · · · ·

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Habitat loss Unsustainable trade By catch Climate change Invasive species Pollution Human-animal conflict

(Source www.panda.org

Biodiesel a realistic clean burning fuel alternative By Nazia Nazar

“Money, as we all know, does not grow on trees, but a possible energy solution clearly does ”

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Over the last decade and half, the increasing concerns over global warming along with the measures to reduce dependence on foreign fuel as well as reduction in emission levels has led to the development of sources other than oil for transportation. It is c ommon fear in today’s world that fossil fuels will be depleted soon. The cost of energy is increasing continuously and is expected to be at its peak by 2050. A wide range of alternatives have been developed - from hydrogen based vehicles to natural gas veh icle. However, none of them have been as effective as biofuels - ethanol and biodiesel - both from commercial as well as environmental perspective. Use of biodiesel for

transportation has a great potential to replace a substantial amount of petroleum world wide in coming decades. Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel manufactured from vegetable oil, animal fats, or recycle restaurant greases. Chemically it is defined as the mono alkyl ester of long chain fatty acid derived from renewable lipid sources. The most common method to produce biodiesel is through a process called “transesterfication”, which involves altering the chemical properties of the oil by using methanol. Transesterfication of plant oil with methnol is a relatively simple process that yields high conversion with only glycerin as a byproduct.

(Fig. Algal Biodiesel, Source saferenvironment.wordpress.com)

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Resources of Biodiesel The resources mainly originated from plant particularly and in animal in generally. Depending upon the availability and production of the raw -material for biodiesel can be classified in to oil yielding crops (Rape Seeds, Ground Nut, Sesame Seeds and Rocket seeds), industrial based crops (Linseed, Castor beans, Cotton seeds), wi ld oil yielding plants (Pongame tree, Olive tree, Hemp oil, Oat seeds, Jatropha Shrub, Milk Thistle, Carthamus seeds, Jatropha), microorganisms, animals and other byproducts having biotic origin.

Key Advantages of Biodiesel Ø Biodiesel is the only alterna tive fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engine. It can be stored in the same way as petroleum diesel.

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Ø Biodiesel is environmentally friendly: it is renewable, and "more biodegradable than sugar and less toxic than table salt" (US National Biodiesel Board, based on US Environmental Protection Agency studies). Ø Biodiesel can be used along or mixed in any ratio with petroleum diesel. The most common blend is a mix of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel or “B20”. Ø Bio-diesel combustion significantly reduces emissions:· Bio-diesel is 11% oxygen by weight and contains no sulphur. There are virtually no Sulphur Dioxide emissions from Bio -diesel combustion. Due to presence of sulphur in crude oil, all fossil fuels emit SO 2. However Bio-diesel combustion does not emit any SO 2 or sulphates (major components of acid rain). · Zero net Carbon dioxide emissions; the small amounts of CO2 emitted by Bio-diesel combustion are re -absorbed by the increased plantation required to sustain the Bio diesel raw material supply chain. Where as burning fossil fuels releases more than 6 billion tons of CO 2 per year, twice as much as the biosphere can absorb. The excess CO2 is clogging the atmosphere, with the result that less solar heat is reflected away, more heat r eaches the earth's surface, and global temperatures rise. · Significantly less Carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) and particulates emissions. Combustion of Bio -diesel provides more than 90% reduction in unburned hydrocarbons, and 75-90% reduction in aromatic hydrocarbons. · There may be a slight increase or decrease in Nitrogen oxide emissions depending upon engine type.

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Ø The use of Bio -diesel can extend the life of diesel engines because it is more lubricating than petroleum diesel fuel, while fuel consumption, auto ignition, power output, and engine torque are relatively unaffected by Biodiesel. Ø Biodiesel can be made from domestically produced renewable oilseed crops such as soybean, canola, cotton seed and mustard seed.

Ø The Congressional Budget Office, and Departme nt of Defense, US Department of Agriculture, and others have determined that Bio-diesel is the low cost alternative fuel option for fleets to meet requirements of the Energy Policy Act.

Developing countries like Pakistan need continuous supply of cheap energy. Pakistan using hydropower to meet the demands of energy, whereas project regarding solar and wind energy is in progress. The major energy consumption

sectors of Pakistan are domestic, commercial, industrial, agriculture, transport and other government sectors. Renewable energy sources (solar, hydro, wind, tidal, energy, and biomass) have a promising potential for energy generation.

Biomass, a renewable energy source, is gaining inter est in many researchers because it produces similar type of fuel extracted from crude oil. At present time the only possible alternative fuel for ignition engines can be biodiesel (methyl ester) for diesel engines. With increasing population, the need of edible oil is increasing and at the same time energy needed for ignition engines is also increasing. During 1960s the production of edible oil was sufficient for Pakistan’s population but now it is importing edible oil. The one single step solution to this problem is to increase the production of vegetable oil producing

seeds. Pakistan is an agriculture country with 70% of its population working in farm fields so therefore no problem in case of human resource. The production of biodiesel is simple and easy technology. Best strategy is to use all unutilized free land for the production of energy crops. Biodiesel production is a focused research area of some countries like Germany, USA, etc. Presently biodiesel seems to be highly costly as compared to petro die sel; however, there will be no other solution when petro diesel runs out. (Writer is a PhD Scholar at Quide-i-Azam University Islamabad ,Pakistan)

Plight of Endangered SNOW LEOPARD

By Ejaz Ur-Rehman [email protected]

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(A pair of Snow Leopards)

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“It was the shortest seven minutes of my life” Aishwarya Maheshwari, a researcher with WWF India (a wildlife protection group) said after making the first confirmed sighting of a snow leopard (Panthera unica) in Kashmir in over 10 years. The region has seen a decade of political conflict and fighting between India and Pakistan (Saving Snow leapord,2009) Habitat The snow leopard Uncia uncia (P.uncia) is an endangered species of cat that lives in the mountains of Central Asia(Snow leopard trust,2009).The Snow Leopard is the primary predator in high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir.(Kashmir hub ,2009) and Muzaffarabad district in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan districts in the Northern Areas (http://www.animalinfo.org). Seen along the snow line, the Snow Leopard is not easily noticed because of its effective camouflage. The Snow Leopard's fur is a thick silvery gray which helps it conceal itself along the snowline and the rocks of the mountains, which are its natural habitat .(Kashmir hub ,2009). Snow leopards typically inhabit rugged terrain such as steep slopes with bluffs, ridges broken by outcrops, and valleys inter rupted by cli ffs, with arid and semi -arid shrubland, grassland, or steppe vegetation. It is generally found at elevations between 3000 - 4500 m (9800 - 14,800'), although it occasionally goes above 5500 m (18,000') in the Himalaya in the summer, and at the northern limits of its range it can be found between 600 - 1500 m (2000 - 4900') (http://www.animalinfo.org). The black rosettes and spots help the Snow Leopard blend into areas of sunlight and shadow and hide more effectively while stalking its prey.(Kashmir hub ,2009). Population Researchers estimate that there are between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards left in the wild. The wide range of this estimate is due to the difficulty in gathering data because of the mountainous terrain in which the Snow Leopard lives(Kashmir hub ,2009).

Threats to Snow Leopards "Yet the snow leopard faces pressures that are bringing this species closer to extinction and populations of the cat are in decline in many parts of its range."(WWF-Pak, 2006). Reduction of natural prey due to competition with livestock As a growing human population pushes further into remote areas, their livestock herds often overgraze wild grasslands, leav ing less food for the wild sheep and goats that are the snow leopard's primary prey. As wild sheep and goat populations decl ine, snow leopards go hungry

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(Domestic animals grazing, Photo source wwwdelivery.superstock.com)

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Killing of snow leopards in retribution for livestock depredation When their wild prey is scarce, snow leopards sometimes turn to domestic livestock for food. Herders, who lead a precarious economic existence with most of their family wealth bound up in their herds, may kill snow leopards in retaliation(Snow leopard trust,2009, (http://www.animalinfo.org). War and related military activities Some of best snow leopard habitat lies within the disputed area Jammu and Kashmir. Militarization of this region over the past several decades put snow leopards in danger and make scientific studies and conservation programs impossible to carry out (Snow leopard trust,2009, http://www.animalinfo.org). Poaching Snow leopards are hunted illegally for their pelts, which are sought after especially in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia for coats and other garments.

(Snow leopard skin Hand bag, Photo source :http://www.fluffygear.com) Snow leopard bones and other body parts are also in demand for use in traditional Asian medicine. Sometimes captured from the wild for private animal collections in Central Asia. Many of the poachers are local people from snow leopard areas, who often live on just a few dollars a day.

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For them, poaching may be a lucrative source of

Lack of awareness, policy, and implementation Effective conservation programs depend on the support of local people in snow leopard areas, but many herders are struggling little extra time and energy to devote to protecting other species.

to provide for their families and have

Similarly, many snow leopard range country governments are focused on economic development and providing basic services to their ci them to make environmental protection a policy priority.

tizens, and it is difficult for

Political instability, the lack of money t o enforce laws and protected area boundaries, and the difficulty of catching poachers in the snow leopard's remote and rugged habitat all make effective protection for the cat more difficult to secure (Snow leopard trust,2009). Lack of effective protection Most protected areas are too small to protect the home range of even a single snow leopard, and many countries cannot afford leopard trust,2009).

to pay rangers living wages (Snow

There are many ways you can help save these a mazing cats. One of the best ways is just by raising awareness about the plight of the snow leopards.

Conservation efforts There are numerous agencies working to conserve the snow leopard and its threatened mountain ecosystems. These include the Snow Leopard Trust , the Snow Leopard Conservancy and the Snow Leopard Network. These groups and numerous national governments from the snow leopard's rang e, non-profits and donors from around the world recently worked together at the 10th International Snow Leopard Conference in Beijing. Their focus on resear ch, community programs in snow leopard regions and education programs are aimed at understanding the cat's needs as we ll as the needs of the villagers and herder communities impacting snow leopards' lives and habitat.

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For further information visit:

www.snowleopard.org References: · · · ·

Kashmir hub.(2009).Snow leopard in Kashmir, http://www.kashmirhub.com/wildlife-of-kashmir/snow-leopard.html Snow leopard Trust (2009).Snow Leopard Conservation in India, Snow leopard trust, India, http://www.snowleopard.org/programs/countries/india. Saving Snow leapord.(2009). First snow leopard sighting in Kashmir in 10 years, Saving Snow leapord, Conservation Project in the Zoo and in the Wild http://snowleopardblog.com. WWW-Pak.(2006).WWF radio collars elusive snow leopard in Pakistan,www.panda.org

(Writer is an Ecologist and Director Press for Peace UK)

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