EPD reviews smog situation in Punjab

Punjab Minister for Environment Protection Muhammad Rizwan has said the closure of brick kilns from November 7 to December 31 would help reduce environmental pollution.

The minister expressed these views while chairing a meeting held at the Committee Room of the Environment Protection Department (EPD) on Thursday. The meeting also reviewed arrangements for the prevention of smog.

He said with the start of winter, smog appears but the main reason was the emission of smoke from vehicles and a comprehensive plan was need to control environmental pollution.

Environment Protection Secretary Zahid Hussain during the briefing, told to the minister that some time ago an important meeting was held with the representatives of the Brick Kiln Association in which they appealed to extend the deadline for the transfer of brick kilns across the province to zigzag technology.

In a recent meeting of the Judicial Environment Commission, representatives of the brick kiln association voluntarily announced that they would close brick kilns from November 7 to December 31, 2020.

DG Arshad Abbas told the provincial minister that an agreement shall be enforced by the EPD in this regard and DCOs of all districts would be directed to ensure implementation of the decision.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2020.