EPA moves to seal all kilns causing smog

Surveillance of units ordered after shutting them down

LAHORE:

Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Dr Khurram Shahzad has directed the district officials concerned to shut down all the brick kilns in the province that have not converted to an environment-friendly technology.

Sources in the EPA told The Express Tribune that during a video link meeting, the DG reviewed an anti-smog action plan related to brick kilns. Out of 7,535 brick kilns, at least 5,653 have been closed down by the district officers, the participants were informed.

Across the province, as many as 6,027 kilns were operating on old technology, of which 1,508 have been converted to the zigzag design.

On being informed that only 374 brick kilns employing old technology were still operating in the province, the EPA DG issued orders that in the coming week all of them must be sealed at any cost, the sources added.

He warned the district officers for environment that no negligence in this regard will be tolerated at any level.

During the meeting, the DG reviewed the performance of all district officers and issued directions for improvement in the ongoing anti-smog campaign against traditional brick kilns.

As per data available with The Express Tribune, there are total 162 brick kilns in Lahore, of which 86 used the old technology. Of them, 84 have been sealed, while 76 have been converted to zigzag design. Similarly, there were 118 kilns in Attock, of which 111 using old technology have been sealed and seven converted to zigzag technology.

In Bhawalpur, 257 kilns were using old technology, of which 233 were sealed and 24 converted. In Bhawalnagar, 123 kilns using old technology were sealed and 115 are operating on zigzag design, in Bhakar, 174 kilns were shut down and six upgraded, in Chakwal, 113 kilns were sealed and five covnerted to zigzawhhiniot had 73 kilns, of which 67 were sealed and six converted, in Dera Ghazi Khan, 120 kilns were sealed and one converted, in Faisalabad, 351 of 405 kilns were found using old technology, of which 326 were sealed, in Gujranwala, 112 of 266 kilns using old technology were sealed and 47 converted to zigzag.

In Gujrat, 165 kilns using old technology were sealed, Hafizabad 46, Jhang 189, Jehlum 101, Kasur 138 sealed and 357 converted to zigzag design, Khanewal 247 sealed, Khushab 117, Layyah 179, Lodhran 122, Mandi Bahauddin 198 sealed and 110 converted.

In Mianwali, all the 97 kilns had the old design and were sealed. In Multan, 425 kilns were sealed, Muzaffargarh total 280, Nankana Sahib 75, Narowal 137, Okara 117 sealed and 124 converted, Pakpattan 107 sealed and 34 converted, Rahim Yar Khan 259 sealed and 15 converted, Rajanpur 99 sealed and one converted, Rawalpindi 160 sealed and 20 converted, Sahiwal 98 sealed and 64 converted, Sargodha 179 sealed and 34 converted, Sheikhupura 223 sealed and 29 converted, Sialkot 144 sealed and 27 converted, Toba Tek Singh 98 sealed and 15 converted and Vehari 278 sealed and 86 converted.

As per the district officials’ reports, about 20% of the kilns had adopted the new technology and 93% of the remaining had been sealed.

Dr Shahzad directed all the DOEs to take strict action against the field staff in case of negligence in sealing the kilns causing smog.

He said that after the shutdown of brick kilns their surveillance would be mandatory so that no one could operate them at night.

The anti-smog campaign would continue after the current season so that the effects may be averted next year, he added.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Dr Shahzad said all citizens had to play their role to save the environment for the sake of the coming generations.

He expressed hope that the situation would remain under control during the peak season of smog.

The brick kiln owners had promised their full support in this regard, the official added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2020.