The research assesses the environmental impacts of waste management in Fez, Morocco, in line with the legal standards set by law 28-00 on waste management and law 12-03 on environmental impact assessment. Using the DPSIR framework (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, Response), 43 unregulated landfills were analyzed to assess their impacts on water, air, soil, biodiversity, and socio-economic activities. The results reveal medium to major impacts, predominantly local but continuous, affecting soil, water, air, and ecosystems. Human-related impacts include noise pollution and health risks, though there are also positive effects, such as job creation. While drought has lessened some water-related impacts, the overall disruption to ecosystems and communities is significant. The key message of this investigation is that unregulated waste management in Fez is causing ongoing environmental damage, particularly through illegal landfills. This research underscores the necessity of improving waste management strategies by integrating systematic evaluation methods like DPSIR. By providing a more systematic approach to understanding the complex interactions between waste and the environment, these findings are essential for shaping future waste management policies and promoting better environmental integration in urban planning.

The vibrations generated by metro operations can cause structural damage and discomfort to occupants adjacent to the metro lines. In this study, a multigrid fully coupled method of metro vehicle-track-station-soil-building systems is proposed to predict and assess building vibrations before construction. This approach facilitates the efficient calculation of the fully coupled system, while ensuring precise simulations through the utilization of multigrid techniques for wheel-rail contact, track, station, soil, and building components. Using the newly built opera theatre along Beijing metro line 4 as a case, the study demonstrates that the multigrid fully coupled model can predict the dynamics characteristics of metro-induced vibrations and distribution with high accuracy compared with the field tests. Specifically, it was found that metro operations could result in vibrations exceeding specified limits in the opera theatre, particularly at 10 similar to 40 Hz (the building's natural frequency) and 60 similar to 80 Hz (the main frequency band of vibration caused by the metro). Finally, the mechanism of excessive vibration and the effectiveness of targeted vibration mitigation measures were analyzed with the proposed method. These findings have promising implications for wider applications in environmental assessments and control strategies for new metro lines or vibration-sensitive buildings. Graphical Abstract

Introduction: More than 16% of the total electricity used worldwide is met by hydropower, having local to regional environmental consequences. With positive indicators that energy is becoming more broadly available and sustainable, the world is moving closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). Pakistan became the first nation to include the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its national development strategy.Methodology: The current study sought to investigate the structural limits of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guidelines for hydropower development in Pakistan. The study included the document review of the EIA reports about hydropower projects in Pakistan, scientific questionnaires from decision-makers, and public consultation.Results and Discussion: The document evaluates that an adequate mechanism is available, and donors like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank observe the implementation process of EIA in Pakistan. However, a comprehensive analysis of the EIA system found several things that could be improved, not only in the institutional framework but also in actual implementation and practices. More than 20% of respondent decision-makers disagreed with the compliance of the current Institutional Framework with EIA guidelines, and 25% think that the existing guidelines followed in Pakistan are not aligned with international standards and practices for Hydropower in actual practice. EIA has a limited impact on decision-making due to insufficient technical and financial resources.Recommendations: There should be a think tank with experts who can meet the needs of present and future epochs. The public should be communicated with and educated about EIA. For better efficiency, the officers and decision-makers should be trained internationally, i.e., the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

This study presents a deep learning model created for enabling comprehensive wildfire control by seamlessly combining satellite images, weather data and terrain details. Current systems face challenges in comprehensively analyzing these factors due to limitations in data integration, dynamic fire behavior prediction, and post-fire ecological impact evaluation. By improving detection and accurate assessment of impact, the system addresses all aspects of wildfire management from forecasting to post event analysis. The model integrates soil quality examination and vegetation regrowth simulation Using image analysis and state of the art deep learning methods. This holistic approach of Image analysis employs Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for predicting wildfire risk and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) for assessing soil and hydrological effects. This adaptable approach, which aims to transform the way fire control is done, can be readily adjusted to changing conditions and takes correlations between different aspects into account. It surpasses conventional techniques by including soil quality analysis, vegetation regrowth modeling, and vegetation damage evaluation. The adaptable nature of this method proves invaluable, in lessening the impact of wildfires with a focus, on evaluating vegetation damage and promoting restoration.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) became mandatory in Pakistan in 1983 with the passage of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance. The Sustainable Development Goals were incorporated into Pakistan's national development strategy, making it the first country in history to do so. The study is based on evaluating the mitigation strategies and environmental impact assessment at the Gulpur Hydropower Project (HPP), Kotli, AJK, which uses the Poonch River's water resources to generate power and has a design capacity of 100 MW using the EIA documentation of Gulpur HPP. In addition to making additional observations and reviewing the literature, the study looked at Mira Power Limited's EIA reports. The possible effects, as well as the Government's and MPL's mitigating actions, were examined by the authors. EIA procedures at the Gulpur HPP considered several laws, including the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, AJK Wildlife Ordinance of 2013, the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, and Laws Regulating Flow Releases for Hydropower Projects. Projects using hydropower in delicate areas carry a high risk. Given the thorough analysis of the hazards in this instance, it is evident that the EIA had a significant impact on the project's design. The authors concluded that there are no negative environmental effects of the construction of hydropower projects in the concerned area and that all potential effects and compensation were handled legally and efficiently. The study suggested that all hydropower projects in Pakistan undertake environmental impact assessments. Evaluating the mitigation strategies and environmental impact assessment at the Gulpur Hydropower Project.EIA procedures at the Gulpur HPP considered several laws, including the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency.The development of hydropower projects in the affected area had no negative environmental effects, and any potential effects or compensation were handled lawfully and effectively.