Plan sought to rid Punjab of smog

Senior minister eyes collaboration with private sector

LAHORE:

Provincial Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has issued directives for the preparation of a comprehensive action plan aimed at making Punjab smog-free and eradicating the use of disposable plastic bags.

She was presiding over a meeting attended by the secretaries of environment and wildlife, DG of fisheries and other senior officials.

According to an official statement, the pioneering initiative to combat air pollution and enhance air quality in Lahore and other areas of Punjab will be forged through a collaborative effort with the private sector.

The senior minister also spearheaded the establishment of an 'Advisory Council for Environment' tasked with fostering synergy between the provincial government and private enterprises. The council will serve as a platform for dialogue, consultation and active participation of stakeholders in charting a course towards environmental enhancement.

Simultaneously, consultations with stakeholders have already commenced to address the menace of plastic pollution and its adverse environmental impacts.

Furthermore, pivotal decisions were made to digitise and optimise the processes of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and expedite the formulation of a comprehensive framework for carbon credits and financing.

In line with modern best practices and the evolving environmental landscape, amendments to the Punjab Forest Act were approved to meet contemporary demands.

Embracing innovation, the meeting sanctioned the inaugural 'Zoological Survey' in Punjab to collate exhaustive data on species, populations and geographic distributions. Additionally, plans were unveiled for Punjab's pioneering 'Digital Wildlife Archives' and the augmentation of the department, including the establishment of the 'Wildlife Protection Force’.

Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasised the imperative of safeguarding endangered species and preserving vital wetland ecosystems through specialised measures.

Administrative initiatives were set in motion to expand forest cover in Punjab and fortify existing reserves, complemented by legislative measures.

In a bid to bolster agricultural productivity and promote sustainable practices, a concerted effort will be launched to enhance fish farming and shrimp production. I

In addition, the first 'International Fish Market' will be established in Lahore.

The meeting underscored commitment to the implementation of the Prime Minister's Clean Green Pakistan vision, with plans under way to integrate environmental education into the curriculum at all levels. Degree programmes focusing on environmental changes will be introduced at the higher education level.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2024.