Ghazala Anbreen
“Cleanliness is half of faith” (Sahih Muslim). This is said by our beloved Holy Prophet PBUH. But are we observing it in the real sense?
There is a lack of civic sense on the part of the community. Let us look at some of the countries where cleanliness is maintained rigorously. Singapore is famous for its immaculate public spaces and enforces strict anti-littering laws with fines at $220. In Japan littering is taken as a serious offence. The people who violate laws may face fines and public shaming. In Switzerland littering is regulated and fines can be imposed for violations. Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Scotland, all these countries have specific national litter legislation. Likewise, there are countries like Germany, France, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden. In all these countries littering is regulated by legislation and is subject to fines in case of violations. All these countries put a special focus on maintaining cleanliness and imbibe a civic responsibility in the citizens for a good, healthy environment for everybody.
It is an ethical duty for the people to take care of their surroundings and maintain its cleanliness. It is important for the authorities that they encourage responsible behavior among citizens and encourage measures that help maintain a clean environment.
The community must be encouraged to maintain personal hygiene (physical and mental) and keep public spaces clean, reflecting the same diligence and care they take for their own homes. This will ensure a healthy and harmonious environment for everybody. Everyone must reflect on the responsibilities as agents of their environment. In this way the situation will be favorable for a city that aligns with Islamic values of respect and responsibility towards one another and the environment.
Instilling consciousness about clean environment is essential. We all should gather together for this cause. On 6th January, 2025, the Senate Sub Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination highlighted the need for improved waste management, noting concerns about untreated sewage reaching Rawal Dam. (Business Recorder, January, 2025) Here it is noteworthy that this dam is considered one of the main sources of drinking water for the people living in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It is worth noting that concerns about water pollution in Rawal Lake have been raised for years. A 2010 news report mentioned the discharge of untreated sewage, highlighting the ongoing need for sustainable solutions. (Daily Dawn, August 2010).
In Rawal Lake in Bani Gala Islamabad the people’s negligence to keep such places clean has led to poor hygiene conditions. This place may be turned into a beautiful and delightful place for families to visit on weekends for picnic with their kids. Scavengers hover overhead the dirt further adding to the distressing sight. Just a little effort and ownership on the part of the citizens could have preserved its natural beauty. It is imperative for all of us to restore the beauty of this lake otherwise destroying nature and our being insouciant towards it will definitely result in dire consequences. This is our own city and our own country and we ourselves should take care of it.
It is very important to teach our kids the value and significance of safeguarding the environment. They should be taught to add value to the beautiful environment. The students must be sensitized about the importance of green spaces in urban areas. This is vital for fighting global warming and addressing the threats of climate change as it will contribute for a better air quality. They should be informed that green areas reduce the heat and improve health and wellbeing, and these are good for flora and fauna as well. Initiatives relating to tree plantation drives and waste management disposal methods leading to clean and Green Islamabad should also be projected and promoted in the schools and colleges. Focus should also be on teaching them to learn advanced technology in materializing these objectives for guaranteeing sustainable development. GIS (Geographic Information System) can be helpful for monitoring and recording green areas and also at indicating the possibility for afforestation and landscaping ingenuities for increasing the urban greenery. These tools can assist in categorizing and recognizing the lands for planting trees in distant areas and impact evaluation can also be done for identifying the effective growth of trees.
Local schools and NGOs can work in collaboration to brief about environment. Symposiums can be arranged on waste management on the issue of maintainable living for educating the community. The city administration, in collaboration with citizens, can further strengthen efforts to expand green belts along main roads and adopt environmentally friendly initiatives for a cleaner and greener urban space. Other practical steps include installing of the solar panels in the public spaces and parks for lights and other services. With the help of proper planning and strict enforcements these challenges may be overcome.
