Save the environment: Ministry seeks drastic steps

Minister says the decision to ban two-stroke richskaws in Sindh from June 30, 2011 is a positive step.

KARACHI: Sindh Environment and Alternate Energy minister, Sheikh Muhammad Afzal has demanded that a ‘no objection certification’ from the environment department should be made mandatory for registration of cars, so only those cars are given ‘fitness certificates’ that do not contribute to environmental pollution.

He also commended the provincial transport policy, and said that the decision to ban two-stroke richskaws in Sindh from June 30, 2011 is a positive step. He added that it would help reduce pollution as two-stroke rickshaws emit poisonous gases which are extremely harmful. Afzal also said that his department is working on a war footing to reduce emissions and noise pollution from vehicles.

For this, the Green Squad of the Vehicular Emission Control Group is checking cars across Sindh on a daily basis. He appealed to transporters, car owners and transporters association to help his department in its efforts to reduce emissions.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2011.