Identification Of Technological Disaster Prone Areas In Province Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Punjab the most populous and industrialized province of Pakistan consumes greater fraction of imported and domestic chemicals. Punjab’s share in production of various industrial chemicals including caustic soda, soda ash, sulfuric acid, fertilizers and papers during year 2006-07 was 95.2%, 100 %, 46%, 70% and 96.3% respectively. Condition of chemical disaster management both in industrial establishments and government sector, vis-à-vis to trained staff, emergency response equipments is not satisfactory. A top to bottom commitment to address the threats posed by chemical disaster in form of administrative infrastructure, disaster management plan, agreed roles and responsibilities under legal cover is necessary. Amongst 35 districts of Punjab, 14 districts are prone to chemical disaster. Out of these, 10 districts are densely populated and about 90 human settlements in radius of about 1.5-2 Km in close vicinity of major industrial units engaged in dealing with hazardous chemicals. Whereas remaining 4 districts have increased trend of industrialization and will require short term administrative measures for their sustainable urban and industrial development.