Officials emphasise tree cover to curb smog

Pyrolysis plants to be demolished as per court orders

LAHORE:

The need for increasing the city's tree cover to curb smog was stressed in a meeting on Wednesday.

Lahore Divisional Commissioner Zaid Bin Maqsood emphasised the inverse relationship between smog and tree cover, highlighting the need to increase green areas of the city.

A decision was made to form vigilance committees to prevent the burning of crop residues.

Chairing the meeting, the commissioner said fully active vigilance committees would be formed at the village level and strict action would be taken against those who set fire to crop residues.

Environment department officers, along with police personnel, will be involved in smog control efforts, with a senior police officer appointed as the focal person at the district level.

Officials informed the commissioner that all pyrolysis plants will be demolished as per court orders under the smog control plan.

The commissioner directed that brick kilns be permitted only under anti-smog technology guidelines, maintaining zero tolerance for violations.

He said short and long-term policies will be implemented to take action against smoke-emitting vehicles. Every department will contribute to smog control interventions, he said, emphasising the need for proactive planning. The commissioner highlighted that vehicle emissions should be checked before entering Lahore, and carbon emission reports should be prepared before any road and intersection design changes. He emphasised that the administration would take action against smog according to the environment department's planning.

Real-time data from independent air quality monitors will inform the action plan.

He said that vehicles are a major cause of smog, and there will be zero tolerance regarding their fitness.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2024.