M. Jehangir Khan Tareen MULTAN, Aug 30 (APP):Scorching heatwaves, declining groundwater levels, air pollution, soil degradation and increasingly unpredictable floods are no longer distant environmental warnings for Pakistan. They are becoming part of everyday life, creating an urgent need for professionally trained environmental scientists capable of understanding these challenges and developing practical solutions. The situation is particularly evident across the Punjab plains, including Multan, where …
Saving Pakistan’s Future: Why Environmental Sciences matters?
M. Jehangir Khan Tareen
MULTAN, Aug 30 (APP):Scorching heatwaves, declining groundwater levels, air pollution, soil degradation and increasingly unpredictable floods are no longer distant environmental warnings for Pakistan. They are becoming part of everyday life, creating an urgent need for professionally trained environmental scientists capable of understanding these challenges and developing practical solutions.
The situation is particularly evident across the Punjab plains, including Multan, where rising temperatures, water scarcity, changing weather patterns and environmental degradation are increasingly affecting agriculture, public health and livelihoods, creating a pressing challenge for communities.
Despite this growing challenge, Environmental Science remains a relatively less preferred academic choice among Pakistani students.
Medicine, engineering, computer science and business continue to dominate career discussions in many households, while environmental sciences often receive comparatively little attention, silently remaining on the margins of academic priorities.
Experts believe this perception needs to change as environmental protection, climate adaptation, sustainable development and natural resource management become increasingly important for Pakistan’s economic and social
future.
Chairman Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences at Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture Multan,(MNSUAM) Dr Tanveer ul Haq, said Pakistan urgently needed a new generation of professionals capable of addressing environmental challenges through scientific knowledge and practical solutions.
“Environmental problems are no longer confined to laboratories or research institutions. They directly affect our agriculture, water resources, food security, public health and livelihoods.
We therefore need trained environmental scientists who can translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions,” he said.
Dr Tanveer said environmental education should be viewed as an investment in the country’s future rather than simply another academic discipline.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change makes environmental expertise particularly important. Water stress, soil degradation, pollution, extreme weather events and growing pressure on agricultural resources require professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge of soil, water, air, ecosystems and climate.
The Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences at MNSUAM offers a BSc (Hons) Environmental Sciences programme designed to prepare students for this emerging field.
The programme combines scientific knowledge with practical and field-based learning in areas including ecology, soil science, environmental chemistry, water resources, climate science, environmental management, policy and environmental law.
A BSc fifth-semester student, Manahil Yasmeen, said her studies had changed her understanding of the environmental problems facing society.
“Environmental Science is not simply about studying pollution or climate change. It helps us understand how human activities affect soil, water, air and ecosystems and how scientific knowledge can be used to protect them,” she
said.
Manahil said more students should consider Environmental Science as a career option because its relevance was increasing with every passing year.
“Students should not choose a field only because it is traditionally considered successful. They should also look at the challenges the country and the world will face in the future. Environmental Science gives us an opportunity to contribute to solving some of the most serious problems of our time,” Manahil added.
Contrary to the common perception that Environmental Science offers limited employment opportunities, the field is becoming increasingly relevant to governments, industries, development organizations and international
institutions.
Environmental impact assessments, pollution control, water-resource management, climate adaptation, environmental monitoring, waste management, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy planning and corporate sustainability are among the areas creating demand for qualified professionals.
In Pakistan, environmental scientists can find opportunities in environmental protection agencies, irrigation and water-management organizations, agriculture and forestry departments, research institutions, NGOs, industries, engineering and construction companies and environmental consultancy firms.
Environmental regulations have also increased the importance of professionals capable of conducting Initial Environmental Examinations (IEEs), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and other environmental compliance processes.
At the international level, environmental expertise is increasingly relevant to climate policy, sustainability, conservation, development projects and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.
Modern environmental education cannot rely solely on textbooks and classroom lectures. Students need opportunities to work with laboratory equipment, analyze environmental samples and understand real-world environmental problems.
The programme provides practical exposure through laboratory and field-oriented activities related to soil, water and environmental analysis. Such training helps students develop the technical and analytical skills required for professional environmental work.
The department’s academic and research activities also expose students to contemporary issues including climate-smart agriculture, waste water treatment, soil health, salinity, sustainable water management and other areas linked to environmental sustainability.
University education is not limited to academic qualifications. Student societies, sports and recreational facilities and character-building activities provide opportunities to develop communication, leadership, teamwork and social responsibility.
Transport and hostel facilities can make higher education more accessible to students from outside Multan, while scholarships and paid studentship opportunities can help deserving students meet educational expenses.
For parents and students planning their careers, Environmental Science deserves closer
consideration.
Climate change, water scarcity, pollution, declining soil health and pressure on natural resources are not temporary challenges. They are likely to shape Pakistan’s economy and society for decades to come.
The need, therefore, is not simply for greater environmental awareness but for professionals who possess the scientific knowledge and practical skills to turn awareness into action.
Dr Tanveer ul Haq said the country’s environmental challenges should be viewed as an opportunity for young people to acquire specialized knowledge and contribute to national development.
“Pakistan needs young professionals who can understand environmental challenges scientifically and work with communities, institutions, industries and policymakers to develop sustainable solutions,” he said.
For students such as Manahil Yasmeen, the field offers more than a conventional career path. It provides an opportunity to become part of a profession whose importance is expected to grow as Pakistan confronts the realities of climate change and environmental degradation.
As the country searches for solutions to rising temperatures, water shortages, pollution and declining natural resources, environmental scientists may increasingly become indispensable to Pakistan’s future.
