As mercury drops, smog returns to Lahore

Despite preventive measures taken by the environment department, clouds of smog have begun to hover over Lahore once again as a result if thick smoke emanating from residue of paddy crop set on fire in fields in the region.

The residue of paddy crop is set on fire to clear the fields in most districts of the province as well as across the border in the Indian state of Punjab. Incidents of such fires have been reported in Okara, Narowal, Kasur and several other districts.

The provincial Environment Protection Department is taking strict action to curb the practice.

According to sources in the department, the signs of smog become visible in the city from the end of October to the first 10 days of November. At present, the Smog Index in Lahore is showing pollution in the atmosphere but in the coming days the rate could rise to alarming levels.

The Punjab government has declared smog as a disaster. The deputy commissioners of all the 36 districts of the province have been directed to take special measures to prevent smog in their areas this year.

But despite the orders, citizens of Lahore witnessed plumes of smoke up to a height of about 500 metres due to burning of paddy crop residues two days ago. The smoke dissipated later in the day.

As part of the preventive measures, all brick kilns in Punjab will be closed from November 7 to November 31, except those that have converted to the zigzag technology, and the deputy commissioners will ensure the implementation of the ban in the districts. Only the kilns operating with the zigzag technology will be allowed to operate.

The provincial agriculture department has also bought 286 machines to be used for uprooting the remaining parts of the plants from the fields so that farmers do not have to burn them. The department has started using the machines to help the farmers and prevent aggravation of smog.

The traffic police have been directed to ensure that the movement of vehicles is maintained and traffic jams don’t occur in the city. The instructions have been issued as smoke-emitting vehicles are a major contributor to the smog level. At present, it is estimated that 43% of smog in Lahore is caused by road traffic.

However, experts say the implementation of all these steps would not be enough for controlling pollution. The smog in the northern areas of Lahore is caused by steel rerolling mills that produce fire by burning tires to melt iron. The DC Lahore has issued warnings to 300 rerolling mills and they might be shut if the smog intensifies.

There is more smog in the inner city areas due to industries and traffic. For this reason, planning is being done to focus on preventing smoke from spreading in those areas.

The environment department has also expressed fears that if winds flow from India towards Pakistan, the smog will intensify in Lahore and other cities and local people will be exposed to its harmful effects. Pakistan has sent letters to India many times about the difficulties faced due to smog caused by burning of crops. However, no response or action has been reported from the neighbouring country in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2020.