The first-ever public-owned small air quality monitoring station, installed on the roof of the Rawalpindi office of the Department of Environment Protection, has started regular operations, sources said Thursday.
On the other hand, the final approval has been granted for the construction of air quality monitoring stations at all nine divisional locations of Punjab as part of the government measures to promote a people-friendly environment.
According to the Environmental Protection Department, the cost of establishing air quality monitoring stations at nine divisional locations will be Rs1.25 billion. These air monitoring stations will be built in buildings on government land.
Meanwhile, the Heatwave Management Committee of the Punjab Environmental Protection Department has asked the Forest Department and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) to develop and submit short- and long-term projects to eradicate pollution throughout the province, including Rawalpindi Division.
The short-term environment-friendly projects have been sought for the duration of one year while the long-term projects for five to 10 years.
Representatives of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) have also been included in the Heatwave Management Committee.
Environmental Protection Department Secretary Sajid Chauhan said this year, environmental pollution will be reduced by implementing early action plans across Punjab.
He made these remarks while addressing a meeting at the office of the Department of Environment Protection.
“All divisional locations are now being monitored for air quality. An important aspect of enhancing the environment is played by the Parks and Horticulture Authority and the Forest Department,” he said.
“There is an urgent need for afforestation on all the government land which is lying vacant,” he added.
He continued by saying that the Punjab Forest Department has chosen to establish one large Miyawaki forest in all 23 tehsils of the Rawalpindi Division in light of these directives.
“It will be a one-year short-term programme under which all major land owners across the division will be offered the opportunity to carry out plantation of local fruit trees on vacant and barren lands,” he explained.
“Trees and free technical assistance for planting will also be provided by the government. The number of National Parks will be increased in Punjab. Extensive afforestation will be done along the sides of GT Road and motorways,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2023.
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