**4. Conclusions**

In overpopulated cities such as Rawalpindi, pollution has become a major cause of concern among other issues. This study takes the opinions of the general public into account and serves to locate the prime factors due to which these environmental hazards are deteriorating the natural balance of the environment. By shedding light on the attitudes of the public, the study defines pollutants destroying the environment from the lens of the general public, as Nixon (2011) suggests:

The environment is not a passive backdrop for human action, but rather a central player in shaping human destinies. The world we inhabit, and the ways in which we interact with it, profoundly influence the outcomes of our lives and the quality of our experiences.

Keeping in view the above discussion, based on the findings, we conclude that overpopulation is the main cause of environmental hazards. Fast population development can cause environmental deterioration and habitat loss, as well as a rise in the demand for resources such as water and electricity. Promoting family planning, funding healthcare and education, and enacting laws that support

sustainable development are all examples of appropriate overpopulation planning. According to different respondents, the responsible attitude of the public regarding waste management in the form of recycling products and the minimal use of plastic can help us to improve our environment. Health workers were also very much concerned about the infectious wastes/chemicals that need to be properly disposed of. Pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the spread of disease can result from improper waste management. Promoting recycling and composting, putting trash reduction plans into action, and investing in new waste-reduction technology are all examples of appropriate waste management planning. Water security was also mentioned by a few respondents since Pakistan is a facing critical water shortage. Pipe leaks, ineffective irrigation techniques, and excessive water use can all result in water wastage. Planning effectively for water waste might include actions such as encouraging water conservation, making investments in cutting-edge technologies, and putting laws in place that support sustainable water management. Water sources can become contaminated and waterborne diseases might spread as a result of improper wastewater management. Planning effectively for sewerage systems might entail actions such as making sure wastewater is treated to strict standards, making investments in cutting-edge treatment technologies, and encouraging water conservation. High temperature, air pollution, and bad sanitation systems are all responsible for respiratory, skin, and gastro diseases. Hence, this study discovered that the main environmental threats—air pollution, inadequate waste management, the shortage of fresh water caused by businesses and automobiles, growing urbanization, water waste, and inadequate sewage systems—have a significant negative influence on people's physical and mental health. Therefore, proper planning and management need to be enacted by government officials and educators to continuously plan and manage efforts to conserve a healthy environment for our future generations.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization: S.A. and U.I.; Methodology: S.A.; Interview Guide (Data Collection Tool): S.A. and U.I.; Data Collection: D.N.; Validation: S.A. and U.I.; Formal Analysis: S.A. and U.I.; Investigation: S.A. and U.I.; Data Curation: S.A.; Writing—Original Draft Preparation: S.A. and U.I., D.N.; Writing—Review and Editing: S.A. and U.I.; Supervision: S.A.; Project Administration: S.A.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
