Sustainable
Development Policy Institute (SDPI), the country’s independent think tank in a
statement issued here on Monday has called upon global community to come up with
a legally binding global mercury treaty to protect wildlife, ecosystems and
health from hazardous affects of Mercury.

The
press statement states that SDPI has moved a motion for a legally binding
treaty on Mercury control to the upcoming IUCNs “World Conservation Congress
2012” to be held in Jejo, Republic of Korea. The draft motion has garnered an
overwhelming support from organizations across the world. SDPI has urged the
national and international organization to come forward and support the motion
for cleaner and healthier environment.

The
draft resolution moved on behalf of SDPI, by Dr Mahmood A. Khwaja, SDPI’s
Senior Advisor, Chemicals and Industrial Development, calls for effective
measures to reduce and eliminate the use of mercury and ask for a mandatory
National Implementation Plan (NIP) to ensure effective development and
implementation of treaty.

The
resolution underlines mandatory obligations to identify and characterize
contaminated sites with effective and enforceable treaty compliance provisions.
The draft resolution also requests Director General IUCN to work with the IUCN
Commissions and membership networks for the promotion of enhanced awareness
regarding adverse health effects of mercury exposure and protection.

The
press statement showed deep concerns over weak measures in existing important
global treaty elements that are not effectively addressing the rising mercury
levels and are failing to protect wildlife, ecosystem and human health.

It
also said, Mercury is a toxic substance of concern and causes significant harm
to wildlife, ecosystems and human health at a global scale. It is also a major
threat to fish which constitute an all-important nutritious component of human
diet.