Impact of environmental pollutants on fish and fisheries in Punjab, Pakistan

Partner Institutes
University of Aberdeen	University of Vet and Animal Sciences, Lahore

Fisheries and aquaculture play a crucial role in the economy of many developed countries. Pakistan has plenty of water reservoirs that contain a diverse fish fauna. But with time, pollution has become a major problem for the aquaculture industry in Pakistan. Universities and research institutions are trying to help by focusing research on the hazardous effects of pollution and the dangers posed to valuable natural resources.

An association of University of Aberdeen, UK and Environmental Toxicology Laboratory, University of Vet and Animal Sciences, Lahore plans to evaluate the impact of environmental pollution on fish and fisheries in the Punjab region. The project will pinpoint heavily polluted sensitive sites, by surveying and analysing water samples.

University of Aberdeen will provide technical assistance as well as training to faculty members from UVAS involved in the project. The UK team will also visit Pakistan for exchange of ideas and information regarding environmental issues in both countries. During the term of the project, researchers from UVAS will design academic courses for graduate/postgraduate students in Pakistan, with one diploma course planned to strengthen the educational status of fish farmers.

The project has short-term impacts, such as strengthening the research capabilities of faculty and laboratories of the partner institutes, with the potential to publish higher quality scientific publications from work carried out.

Long-term advantages include an increased number of trained faculty and students to enhance the Pakistani knowledge and skills base, and research findings that can enhance aquaculture production for a sustained small-scale industry, with potential to contribute to the economy of the country.

Lessons learnt:

• Extent of degradation/deterioration of natural aquatic resources due to environmental pollutants in Punjab.
• Serious deleterious impacts of untreated industrial and domestic effluents on aquatic biodiversity which was highlighted by eminent scientists during the celebration of World Water Day on 22nd March, 2012 under this project .
• DISKE workshop organized by BC at Ravi Campus, Pattoki motivated the participants from academia and industry about the importance of Knowledge Exchange between stakeholders. After this Workshop Vice Chancellor of UVAS, visited Uni. Of Aberdeen under DISKE grants for future collaboration.

Challenges faced:

• Security concerns in Pakistan are often a major challenge for foreign visitors.
• Non-availability of atomic absorption is causing delay for the estimation of heavy metals.
• Fish collection from auctioned water bodies during off season is difficult and special arrangements with the contractor have to be worked out.

Impact:

• During this project, through discussions & field visits the capacity of 36 students, 02 Lab technicians and 02 faculty members was built.
• Baseline data of heavily polluted areas of Lahore, Kasur, Multan & Faisalabad will be available for future studies.
• On site training /awareness among general public, farmers & students through seminars/workshops about the health hazards of water pollution.
• Role of heavy metals deposition in various parts of fish, their impact on fish breeding and human health through food chain.

Key contacts:

Prof. Dr. Christopher J. Secombes, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK.

c.secombes@abdn.ac.uk, http://www.abdn.ac.uk/

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sharif Mughal, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

sharifmughal@hotmail.com

harif.mughal@uvas.edu.pk, www.uvas.edu.pk

Developing water turbines for electric power generation

Partner Institutes
University of Southampton	NUST College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Rawalpindi

Pakistan’s electricity woes show no signs of abating. We have all become used to living at least a quarter of each day without power and unless someone somewhere wakes up to the fact that things will not get better without drastic action, we are headed towards an even darker future.

Fortunately, the University of Southampton in the UK and Pakistan’s NUST College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering have decided to come up with an alternative means of electricity generation.

Pakistan has one of the largest networks of canals, with five major rivers continuously flowing through its length all the year round. Given the current energy crisis, it makes sense to use the natural, renewable source that is readily available all over the country – water – and develop a cost-effective system of energy production.

The idea of the partnership is to develop water turbines along rivers, which will provide electricity to nearby villages and cities independently or will be integrated into the main grid depending upon the amount of electricity developed. 

The power created with this technology will be environment-friendly, as water turbines do not cause any contamination to the water that flows through them. Moreover, they make use of a renewable energy source and require very little maintenance.

One postgraduate and two undergraduate students at the two universities have aligned their final year research projects with the Strategic Partnership subject area. A significant success for the project has been the International Conference on Energy Systems Engineering organised by NUST in October 2010. The conference involved many stakeholders, donor agencies, researchers and students.

The successful implementation of this research will help improve the quality of life for the millions who have been adversely affected by power shortages.

Lessons learnt:

• The biggest advantage while working on this project was that the whole department including faculty and students contributed to make this project successful.
• The team also came up with innovative ideas like floating water wheels to meet the current energy needs of Pakistan

Challenges faced:

• Finding a suitable manufacturer for turbines in Pakistan was a major hurdle due to less number of industries in this domain. After a thorough evaluation process, Chitral Engineering Works was selected for this project.

Impact:

The project would;

• Achieve cost effective ways of generating power
• Form an International Fluid Mechanics Research Group
• Raise public awareness of renewable energy resources
• Provide a platform for future small scale renewable energy products in rural areas of Pakistan
• Facilitate futuristic partnerships between industries and universities

Key contacts:

Dr. Richard Wills, University of Southampton

rgaw@soton.ac.uk, www.soton.ac.uk

Dr. Waheed ul Haq Syed, NUST College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

syedwaheed@ceme.edu.pk, www.ceme.edu.pk