RIASSUNTO
Abstract
This paper shares an overview of how OMV was able to achieve environmental excellence in Pakistan in a remote, rural, socio-economically deprived environment.
OMV Pakistan operates in a challenging environment in the Sukkur and Khairpur districts of the province of Sindh. Major issues facing the country in general and Sindh in particular are poverty, low education levels and lack of adequate infrastructure. As is often the case with developing countries, the provision of basic social needs takes precedence over environmental considerations.
This paper describes how despite these challenges, OMV Pakistan established a worldclass environment management system at its sites in stark contrast to the external factors and the conditions just outside its perimeter.
Introduction
OMV (Pakistan) Exploration GmbH is a subsidiary of OMV Aktiengesellschaft engaged in oil and gas exploration and production in Pakistan since 1990. Successful exploration in Pakistan over the years has made OMV one of the largest foreign gas producers in the Country holding 9% of operated production share.
OMV Pakistan operates in the Southern province of Sindh in a hostile desert environment. Approximately 53% of the area of operation has been declared protected by the Government because of its environmental value. This includes parts of the Nara Game Reserve (IUCN Category I(b)) and the Wildlife Sanctuaries of Nara and Takkar (IUCN Category IV) which are home to some exotic fauna. The areas surrounding the Nara Canal, which winds down the Game Reserve, are known to be of great importance for wintering waterfowl and other wildlife. Small populations of Fishing Cat and Hog Deer, categorized as "endangered?? under the IUCN Red List, 2008 reside along the canal. Other key species of the area include Marsh Crocodile and Marbled Teal (Vulnerable: IUCN Red List, 2008).
Although ecologically rich and diverse, the area is undeveloped and underprovided, making operation a major challenge. Most communities lack access to potable water, electricity, education, medical and sanitation facilities. The Province, in general, has the lowest primary school enrolment ratio in Pakistan, the largest number of ghost schools in the country and, the worst student teacher ratio.
The low level of public awareness and in particular environmental awareness does little to elicit the resolution for political and legislative action for environmental management at national level. The dismal education level is a contributory factor to the fact that the natives still hold on to retrogressive customary norms and practices. There is deep-seated social layer system based on castes and classes; the idea of civil rights being an alien notion to the inferior castes. Tribal system is entrenched in the region. Landed wealth is thought to be a significant determinant of power in the society.