Corruption and the environment by KAINAT MUNIBA KHAN

Corruption has a serious impact on the environment. Every two seconds an area of forest the size of a football field is cut down by illegal loggers around the globe. From the embezzlement of funds for environmental protection programmes to major corruption in the issuing of permits and licences for natural resource exploitation, corruption occurs at every level, often leaving environment safeguards ignored or bypassed. The trafficking of endangered species of wildlife, minerals and precious stones as well as forest products such as timber are also inextricably linked to corruption. Bribery is present throughout the entire production chain from the forest to the port with fraudulent paperwork often being used to move the bulky illegal timber across borders and beyond.

Forest crime can have devastating results not just for the environment but for the local communities. Nearly one billion poor people depend on forests for their livelihoods, so any illegal activity impacts them directly as well as affecting delicately balanced forest ecosystems. Other areas vulnerable to corruption include water supply, oil exploitation, fisheries and hazardous waste management. Identifying the challenges • Environmental damage: trafficking in wildlife can further threaten endangered species, while illegal logging can lead to a loss of biodiversity and increase carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change. • Low risk, high profit criminal business: for organized criminal groups the profits are good with little risk as forest crimes are rarely prosecuted and the sanctions often do not match the gravity of the crime. • Bribery and cover-ups: criminals exploit the complicity of officials which can result in cover-ups of impact assessments of large scale water projects such as dams, canals and drains. Bribery and nepotism can also plague the awarding of licenses for the disposal of waste. • Loss of livelihoods: when powerful businesses with the help of corrupt officials, can divert water resources away from small-scale farmers who rely on irrigation from rivers to grow their crops and make a living, the gap is further widened between the powerful and the powerless who can be left with restricted access to resources and land. • Demand reduction: consumers can play a role in breaking the trade in wildlife and illegal timber by being conscientious about products used in traditional medicine such as rhino horn or tiger bones and paying careful attention to labelling when buying exotic timber. The facts

• Trafficking in forest products, wildlife and forest biological resources is a major problem worldwide. It is of particular concern to developing countries. The World Bank estimates that illegal logging generates approximately US$10-15 billion annually in criminal proceeds (Justice for Forests: Improving Criminal Justice Efforts to Combat Illegal Logging, World Bank, 2012). • Trafficking in timber is big business in South-East Asia which has the fastest deforestation rate on Earth with illicit logging a contributing factor. The trade in illegal timber from South-East Asia to the European Union and Asia was worth an estimated US$3.5 billion in 2010 (The Globalization of Crime: a Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2010). • The costs of water infrastructure are increased by corruption by as much as 40 per cent which equates to an additional US$12 billion a year needed to provide worldwide safe drinking water and sanitation (Fighting corruption in the water sector, United Nations Development Programme, 2011) • The sale of elephant ivory, rhino horn and tiger parts in Asia alone were worth an estimated US$75 million in 2010 (The Globalization of Crime: a Transnational Organized Crime Threat Assessment, UNODC, 2010). • Thousands of cases of animal poaching are reported every year in Africa and Asia. In just one incident in 2012, between 200-300 elephants were killed by raiders who had travelled on horseback across the border from Chad into Bouba Ndjida National Park in northern Cameroon (Elephants in the Dust - the African Elephant Crisis, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC), 2013) UNODC: working as part of the solution UNODC is working in partnership with UNEP, TRAFFIC and the Freeland Foundation to strengthen national capacities to detect illicit trade in natural resources and ozone-depleting substances at national borders within the Greater Mekong subregion. This initiative is strengthening cross-border cooperation so the illegal trade in timber, wildlife and hazardous waste can be tackled more systematically and effectively. The UNODC programme in Indonesia is supporting anti-corruption efforts by the Supreme Court, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the criminal justice system and law enforcement generally. It also involves civil society mobilization to better combat emerging threats such as corruption and linked deforestation. The UN Convention against Corruption The cross-border nature of environmental crime and corruption, with raw material in one country ending up as a finished product in another makes international cooperation and information exchange a vital part of tackling this kind of transnational organized crime. The United Nations Convention against Corruption with its comprehensive focus on corruption prevention, effective law enforcement, international cooperation and asset recovery, can be an effective tool to combat corruption in the environmental sector. States need to integrate anti-corruption strategies such as transparency and accountability into environmental legislation and policies and enhance democracy and good governance. Policymakers and governments in resource-rich countries can strengthen the legal framework and relevant institutions and improve transparency in procurement and contracts processes for large-scale infrastructure projects. The private sector can play a key role by encouraging transparent tendering and adopting voluntary codes of conduct that are both ethical and sustainable with provisions for fighting corruption and safeguarding the environment. Tackling corruption in the environmental sector will help create equitable access to essential resources such as water and a clean environment and is essential for protecting our environment and ensuring sustainable development.

Quranic Verses On The Environment And Do-able Action Plans by KAINAT MUNIBA KHAN

For Muslims the Qur'an is the ultimate green-guide. Believed to be a sublime revelation with remarkable ideas, this divine scripture is scrupulously read by Muslims for spirituality. But it is not limited to only that. In the Islamic faith, faith in the environment is on par to good faith towards humanity and indeed God, since Muslims believe He created all. The Qur'an therefore, doesn't just link belief in One God (Tawheed) to being nice to plants and keeping a pet. The Qur'an glorifies nature and wildlife as an earthly heaven, a mirror to the lush forests of Paradise above.

1. Anti-Corruption Police Living a balanced, moderate life is easy to say, harder to follow through. Even Muslims-the wealthier, western Muslims-have a difficult time living purely 'off the land'. Yet this doesn't detract from the verses: "...And do not desire corruption in the land. Indeed, God does not like corruptors. " Qur'an 28:77 "...And do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption." Qur'an, 2:60 Think about it How many forms of corruption are there? Crime, political fraud, illegal banking systems, theft, rape. Sound pretty major don't they. Now add to that list littering, deforestation, toxic waste and pesticides. Sure, these are hardly equivalent to murdering but in the long run, these things take human lives too, a fact. That is what the Qur'an is alarming readers about. As if to give a wake-up call, people are told these catastrophic processes can heal and eliminate social and natural disorders, but through belief in God and respect for nature. "...So... let them taste part of (the consequences of) what they have done that perhaps they will return (to righteousness).” (Qur'an 30:41) Preservation of Water Another way of ending poverty is to provide clean water where it's needed. This doesn't have to be a burdensome task. Ask your friends/family to chip in £5 for a community well abroad, your home country perhaps. Tell people to reuse their plastic bottles and donate the cost (£1) to your well-fundraising. Save water in your own homes by fixing leaky taps and request that the masjid caps water usage to limit wastage. Water is a huge life-providing theme in the Qur'an. God talks about how He creates life through water then sustains it by streams, the rains, rivers and oceans that are homes for so many creatures. "And Allah has sent down rain from the sky and given life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who listen." (Qur'an, 16:65) In the Qur'an, God uses the analogy of life and death for Muslims to recognise the value of water. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that one day people will wage war over rivers of gold. He was talking about water. We have taps that fill our basins with gold, but we cannot afford overflows while people wait for the rains. Third-world countries in desert climates are counting on us to give the cost of our water to them. By starting something simple like a well-fundraiser you kickstart a chain reaction that will motivate others to do the same. People will call your mosque a Green Mosque for following the prophetic Eco-Wudhu and preserving water. Whomever receives your well/water-pump will be able to plant crops, fruits and trees for generations. "And We have sent down blessed rain from the sky and made grow thereby gardens and grain from the harvest." (Qur'an, 50:9) As water is another natural creation, Muslims believe it belongs to God and nobody can monopolise it. Water is for sharing and there is enough water for all. 5. Gardens of Paradise The Qur'an contains lots of horticultural information which science has reaffirmed by more than 90%. Like previous revelations in the Gospels and Torah, Quranic plants are mentioned in detail with the medicinal properties of herbs being highlighted. God speaks about His creative design and the nutrition available from natural produce as an encouragement to eat healthily: "And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees - of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe." (Qur'an, 6:99) Among the plants mentioned in the Qur'an there is garlic, grapes, pomegranate, herbs, dates, ginger, olives, lentils, onion, cucumber, figs, mustard, a variety of trees including the cedar and the acacia flower. What do we learn from this? Plants are already part of our diet so there's not much impetus to start talking to trees but we could always take it a step further. The Eco Muslim I am pro-gardening and will always encourage readers to grow something. Anything. At the least, your pot of 'wildlife' will encourage pollination and eco-systems. Cut a tree, plant a tree. For every bouquet of flowers you give, plant flower seeds; at least once a year, sponsor a sapling in Palestine; grow fruit trees with your kids. Grow stuff man! Build an eco-system by filling hanging baskets with luscious compost or peat. Needless to say, increase your intake of heavenly greens and fruits. Finally, take time out to appreciate the beauty of meadows and foliage around you. These moments of reflection count as worship for Muslims, they are moments of connection to the Creator. But you can take it however you want. Gratitude is the key. 6. Treating Animals With Dignity "And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered." (Qur'an, 6:38) http://quran.com/6/38 God uses the word 'community' (umma) to describe the similarity between people and animals. We have our social groups, animals have theirs. There is a beauty and majesty in the innate construct of swimmings shoals of fish or flocks of birds dancing in the skies. Muslims reflect, where do penguins learn parenting skills? How do baby turtles know to head to water? For Muslims, this answer is divinely inspired. It's a sad reality that animal rights are grossly violated throughout the Muslim world. Violence like hunting for skins or tusks means that several animal species are extinct. Imagine those animals were ethnicity groups, could you really accept all of Europe or south-east Asia being wiped out? I don't think so. In many countries animals are needlessly killed or eaten without health considerations. For true Muslims, both actions are illegal. This is why pork is unlawful (haram); it's very unhealthy. A few animals cannot be consumed under Islamic law and all animals have to be raised with dignity, with the exception of an attack (think poisonous snakes!) The city shepherd I know that Muslims know their faith is about being kind to animals. But what about a chicken's lifestyle prior to being slaughtered? What about treating cats with love so they are not scared? What about giving back what is taken from them - ? Like what, you ask. Lemme tell you: The Bee and the honey it makes: A whole chapter in the Qur'an is dedicated to bees (An-Nahl, 16:68-69), elevating the magic involved for turning nectar into honey. People are not supposed to disrupt honeycombs or knock down 'live' hives. In this instance, giving back would involve planting yellow coloured flowers to help bees collect nectar or supporting a bee farm. Zabiha animals: In Islamic law animals like cattle and poultry are lawful to eat because they are healthy and they have been made by God to be consumed (see Mai'dah, 5:4). For an Islamic slaughtered the animals needs healthy grazing without hormones, given tenderness with freedom to roam and then prepared for slaughtering (zabiha). The Zabiha method involves covering the animal's eyes and reading God's name (takbir) to help the animal submit. Without good health, the animal may be Zabiha but it will not be lawful (halal) to eat. Muslims do not have to eat meat. Vegetarianism is an option in Islamic law and eating less meat is the best diet. Doing more: Request your masjid to sponsor an endangered animal which students can get updates on (how cool would that be?). If you know a cosmetic company tests on animals, don't use it. It might not save hundreds of animals or shut the company down but at least you're not contributing to a monster process. You are the one with the ethics. 7. Eating Wholesome “Eat and drink from the provision of Allaah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption." (Qur'an, 2:60) Halal food actually tastes better. There is more attentive cooking involved in a halal meal then a take-out, try it, invite your self to a Muslim friends' flat. A strong Islamic rule is to eat in moderation and drink in moderation. Food tech (home ec) lessons were right, wholewheat is better, 5-10 portions of fruit/veg a day is optimum, and 6-10 glasses of water is ideal. The Sahaba diet: Muslims fast for 30 days of the lunar year. For the remaining months, a balanced diet is required with the occasional fast to keep the body in check. The Companions (sahaba) of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, lived in poverty but they chose to maintain healthy lives. Many of them had strong muscles and toned bodies, ready to dig and build for others. Laziness in exercise and strength is therefore not an option. All major faith groups have some form of "consumption control" because binge-eating spoils the human spirit. Science tells us that the body is designed to fast so Muslims feel they have a headstart in this soul-food. Islamic etiquette tells Muslims to follow a formula concerning food: We say God's name when eating (bismillah), we always eat with our right hand, we eat slowly, chew slowly, eat smaller portions, sip water 3x, sit for eating and drinking, we share our food and cover all uneaten food. How to eat Go vegetarian for a month every year to improve your diet Your body is not a bin so stop filling it with junk food Recognise Zabiha vs. Halal: Zabiha is Islamic and Halal is organic. You need both Keep to your ethics by checking food labels-support poorer countries and buy more local Don't bother with fancy diets. Make a food chart of what you should be eating and follow that 52 weeks of the year 8. Patching The Ozone The ozone "hole" over the Antarctica is a phenomenon whereby the stratosphere is thinned out (it's not really a hole). It's caused by refrigerants: CFC's, halons and freons. These have been banned since the 1970s but we still lose a few percentile of ozone each year, and the increased thinning means the earth is losing its protective layer. Islam's 14-hundred-year-old book mentions the atmosphere in embracing language: "And We made the sky a protected ceiling (canopy), but they, from its signs, are turning away." (Qur'an, 21:32) "It is Allah who made for you the earth a place of settlement and the sky a ceiling and formed you and perfected your forms and provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord; then blessed is Allah , Lord of the worlds." (Qur'an, 40:64) Finding a band-aid God has wrapped the earth with atmosphere and people have burned it away. Restoring it requires global diligence and commitment to neutralising toxic gases/radiation. It is asking a lot from billions of people yet I believe it is the only way to go about it. Fight existing organisations that pollute the most and get politically involved to shake up government awareness. Environmental action is always on the agenda but not many have the courage to follow-through. Nuclear plants and factories have protected legal rights to emit certain amounts of pollution and waste, we cannot always defeat those. But doing our individual part can collectively heal the "hole" in the sky over the years. 9. Understanding The Creation After reading such a variety of information from the Qu'ran, it's time to look at #EcoIslam ideas as a whole. The Qur'an is a book for thinkers and is open to anyone not afraid to read. This is what the Qur'an also says... The Art in Design (and the Design in Art) "Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky and makes it flow as springs [and rivers] in the earth; then He produces thereby crops of varying colours; then they dry and you see them turned yellow; then He makes them [scattered] debris. Indeed in that is a reminder for those of understanding." (Qur'an, 39:21) Tectonic plates and mountain 'pegs' "And He has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it shift with you, and [made] rivers and roads, that you may be guided," (Qur'an, 16:15) Travelling on sea "He released the two seas, meeting [side by side]; Between them is a barrier [so] neither of them transgresses." (55:19-20) Weather patterns "And it is He who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy until, when they have carried heavy rainclouds, We drive them to a dead land and We send down rain therein and bring forth thereby [some] of all the fruits. Thus will We bring forth the dead; perhaps you may be reminded." (7:57) "It is Allah who sends the winds, and they stir the clouds and spread them in the sky however He wills, and He makes them fragments so you see the rain emerge from within them. And when He causes it to fall upon whom He wills of His servants, immediately they rejoice." (30:48) "It is He who shows you lightening, [causing] fear and aspiration, and generates the heavy clouds." (13:12) All these verses are amazing starting points for activism. Environmental welfare is described as something sacrilegious, beneficial for us, and so naturally Muslims are going to act on them, right? I mean, to say that being The Eco Muslim is a spiritual act is laughable for many but I see it as a real integral part of my faith. By reading these verses it should at the very least make you aware of Islam's harmonious core. Living as socially responsible and exemplary human beings is one of the Islamic commands of God. 10. Respecting The Creator So Who is God? "Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." (17:110) A world without God No belief at all is like saying there's no morality or no social code: the system cracks. In Islam, Quranic warnings describe a world where there is no authority and the ego becomes the ultimate religion. Such a world inevitably destroys itself and becomes destroyed. These final days are described in various Quranic verses. If a person has no belief, one has to question where the morality comes from. Logic tells us to respect nature because it's the source of our food, health, livelihood. It's our planet. All things come from the ground and The Eco Muslim policy is to walk on this ground without damaging it. Appreciating the universal system, from quarks to quasars, the Qur'an says be a thinker, reflect, meditate. It's good for your own health. Respect others, pass the good vibes on.

Rain is Blessing or Curse in Pakistan by KAINAT MUNIBA KHAN

Pakistan is a place where colours keep changing. It’s often said that we crave for things that we don’t have, its human psyche. Likewise, rain is one of the most desirable things, and more so here because it comes for short intervals of time. While it is only in the form of showers, we enjoy it a lot but as soon as it turns to rain heavily, we are under a lot of stress as rain is unpredictable, with no specified dimensions.

Areas like Thar need rain and depend upon it to turn into paradise. After the rains, sand dunes become lush green fields, soothing one's eyes. Rain water bestows the desert with valuable agricultural products. No doubt, ours is an agricultural country with many important crops grown here and agriculture plays an important part in our economy. Majority of people in rural areas are farmers too. Many areas lack proper irrigation systems and therefore rain is much desired in such areas, as almost everywhere else.

The sound of rain charges up everyone and children in particular like to enjoy getting wet in rain and playing in the puddles that are created by rainwater. Rain simply beautifies the atmosphere all around us — provided it is in reasonable amount. Sometimes it happens that some areas become so try that people there pray for rain to quench the thirst of both animals and the land. And when it starts to rain and rain and rain, the very same areas become flooded and people face a lot of destruction and loss. Even in metropolitan cities like Karachi, life becomes difficult as roads get flooded and water enters so many homes. When water level rises, it can be the scariest nightmare you'd come across. How’d you feel when your loved ones are homeless and you have nothing expect what you are wearing?

Like last year, this year too our country had to face floods in many places, especially rural Sindh. Roads, homes, fields, vehicles, etc., everything has been washed away with the rising level of rainwater. Economically, once again we are hit terribly by a natural disaster after the flood of 2010. We had barely time to overcome last year’s miseries and again we are pushed into the nooks of darkness. Many districts of Sindh — Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta, Mithi, Umerkot, etc. — are flooded and now many infections are appearing in those areas. Poor drainage system has given rainwater no way out, and the poor public is facing the music. Newspapers and news channels are giving a lot of coverage to the tragedy produced by rain and also showed images of how some people enjoyed getting drenched in the rain where there was no flooding. Things differ with respect to places, people and circumstances. What can be the solution of this frightening economic, social, financial and agricultural problem? What will happen to the people who have no home to sleep, no food to eat, no one to look after them? We need to act today because if we don’t, for many of us tomorrow may never come. Monsoon rains are a yearly phenomenon and we need to take proper measures to create drainage for rainwater, both in urban and rural areas. We know the problem, we know the solution, we only need to act, and act now!