Environmental research

Youth Commission For Human Rights was organized by a group of young University graduates in September 1989, The organization was formally registered with the Government of Punjab in November 1990. The commission undertook the task of fulfilling its basic objectives by identifying Kot Lakhpat ( an informal settlement in the suburbs of Lahore) as the focal point of its activities. AREA PROFILE OF THE AREA FOR WHICH INITIATIVE IS PROPOSED Kot Lakhpat and its suburbs consist of disorganized and congested localities with a population of over half million. The majority of households in these localities have migrated ftom rural areas over the last two decades. As the rapid industrialization process reduced the employment opportunities in the rural areas, the whole economic structure of the countryside went under metamorphic changes. The growing population and the reduction of agricultural land to insufficient chunks due to multiple distribution over the generations also contributed toward the mass migration to cities. Myriad industries were set up in the vicinity of large urban centers which attached skilled and semi-skilled labour force from adjacent rural areas. The migrant multitudes purchased or just occupied small pieces of land in these suburbs and erected shabby houses without considering the prerequisites of town planning or the future requirements of civic amenities. Kot Lakhpat is surrounded by a 2nd largest fruit and vegetable market of the city, which meets the 50% demand of the whole city. The fruit market has no proper solid waste disposal system, resulting in very poor sanitation conditions for the labor, vendors, buyers etc. The inhabitants are looking forward towards Government to come forward and improve the system, but due to lack of attention or funds, Government agencies are not attending the ever growing need of this market. Due to poor town planning the sanitation conditions of the area are pitiable. The Over flown sewers and flooded streets is a normal feature of the locality. The governmental agencies tried to solve the problem through open drains but created further complication, as they did not considered the lane levels and main disposal link. The area badly needs plantation. both at home and street levels. in order to reduce the pollution effect caused by the adjacent industries, worst sanitation conditions and densely constructed area. The area is a low income generation, as the people ate indulged in low scale and poor technological businesses and labor in the adjacent industries and fruit market. There is no proper guidance or financial assistance extended to them. The community members tlied to address these problems on their own but they desperately lacked the required technical know-how and community participation techniques, there is a great need of introducing new technologies through extension work and trainings. YCHR proposes to start an Environment Conservation and Urban Forestry Program for Sitara Colony No.2 in this area, by introducing new technologies, community organization and training for human resource development. YCHR is maintaining 23 home schools in this area ( school consists of I teacher, average 30 students ) ~llld 23 mother committees of the student`s mothers. They all provide sufficient network to conduct this program successfully. The network of low-cost sanitation program, shall also be utilized to make this program a success. The project mainly envisages the promotion of ecological -balance. The area is surrounded by industries and confronted with the problems of air pollution and industrial waste disposals. The project will introduce scheme Providing technical assistance and guidance to the community along with seeds, fertilizers for the plantation. The families will be motivated to maintain kitchen gardens in their homes by various methods. This program will help the families to meet their demand, sell excessive products to the neighbors or in the market and above all the greenery will help in reducing the air pollution. Most of the land in the area and along with the streets and roads is un attended and suitable for tree plantation. Expected Results: In one year 1,000 Kitchen gardens shall be established, plants shall be planted by utilizing the staff and activists of the whole program. Planned activities: Three social organizers and one gardener shall be appointed to motivate and provide Training and technical assistance to the community, through Home Schools Network. Community participation in tree plantation and kitchen gardens shall be ~1arted. The mother committees, students, teachers and other program activists shall be trained to promote the schemes of environment conservation, Urban forestry and garbage disposal. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES: i) 12,000 plants shall be planted in 6,000 homes of six persons in each home 36,000 ii) 1,000 kitchen gardens shall be maintained in 6,000,000 homes Total beneficiaries 420,000

Pakistan