Punjab to tighten control over environmental violations ahead of harvest — Dawn
The authorities of Pakistan’s Punjab province have decided to conduct a large-scale operation against violations of environmental legislation ahead of the harvest season. Inspections and strict legal measures will be intensified against industrial enterprises, construction sites, vehicles and businesses that violate environmental standards.
The decision was made at a meeting chaired by the province’s senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, which reviewed the work of the Environmental Protection Agency and other departments in enforcing environmental laws over the past year. As Dawn reports, officials said on-site monitoring had been stepped up and the situation had noticeably improved following stricter enforcement of legislation.
Inspection results
In August, environmental services inspected 68 industrial facilities, while environmental monitoring was carried out at 58 enterprises. Eighteen facilities received notices of legal violations, while another four were sealed.
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Inspectors also checked 30 construction sites and sealed six of them for violating environmental requirements. During the campaign against single-use plastic and polythene, 314 inspections were conducted, 36 premises were sealed and 44 kilograms of plastic products were confiscated. Violators were also fined hundreds of thousands of rupees.
Anti-smog measures
Special attention will be paid to vehicle emissions and monitoring compliance with established standards by brick kilns. The authorities plan to continue their zero-tolerance policy toward vehicles that pollute the air. Punjab residents were urged to report excessive smoke and other environmental violations to the government hotline 1373.
During the current rice harvest, the government is also stepping up measures against the burning of crop residues. The number of subsidized super seeders has been increased from 300 three years ago to 10,000. The number of available balers has risen from four to nearly 150, while the number of harvesters has grown from 100 to about 450. Agriculture and Livestock Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said that monitoring would continue until the end of the rice harvest season.
