Smog shuts parks, zoos in 17 districts

LAHORE:

Following schools, the Punjab government has shut down parks and other recreation centres in 17 districts, including Lahore, due to the worsening smog situation.

All zoos, parks and museums in the districts will remain closed until November 17. According to a government order, violations may result in arrest or fines under the environmental laws.

Meteorological experts expect the smog problem to worsen next week, prompting the closure of the recreational centres.

The Punjab Environment Protection Agency issued a warning, ordering the closure of recreational spots in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Toba Tek Singh, Multan, Lodhran, Vehari, and Khanewal from November 8 to 17.

On Friday, Multan's air quality also worsened, while Lahore recorded AQI of 290, Peshawar 245, Rawalpindi 192 and Karachi 106. Wind speeds around Lahore were 11km per hour and Multan 7km/h.

Meanwhile, inspectors checked private entities' power generators in Lahore and took action against those causing pollution along with vehicles. In the last 24 hours, 47 vehicles were stopped, 31 challaned and Rs550,000 worth of fines imposed. Action was also taken against food stall and other outlets violating environmental laws.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb urged citizens/to keep children indoors, maintaining that closure of schools does not entitle them to enjoy picnics. She stressed the importance of precautionary measures and wearing masks to protect health and lives.

In another development, an international organisation working for the health and welfare of working animals and the Kiln Owners Association are working on a plan to carry out plantation around brick kilns and provide clean drinking water, emergency medical kits and sheds for animals.

Brooke International Chairman Chris Wainwright, Pakistan CEO Dr Javed Gondal and Kiln Owners Association Senior Vice Chairman Mehr Abdul Haq visited a kiln near Pattoki and planted saplings.

A labourer working at the kiln, Abdul Rahman, said as the workers were affected by climate change, the animals were also affected.

He said the animal owners cared for them because working animals are an important source of their employment.

He said conversion of the brick kiln to zigzag design had caused a significant reduction in pollution

Brooke International CEO Chris Wainwright said climate change affects the health of working animals. The sight of the animals is affected by air pollution and smog. Due to smog, animals also suffer from respiratory problems.

He said animals could not express their pain. Working animals are an important source of employment for millions of people. Animal health is an important component for the economic independence of families that depend on them for employment.

He said the welfare organisation is working at 3,000 brick kilns across the country to provide clean drinking water for labourers and working animals along with emergency medical kits and sheds for animals along with planting trees. Brooke's teams are providing service in 2,000 kilns, while 1,000 are being served in collaboration with the Kiln Owners' Association.

Hr said schools are also being built for the children of brick kiln workers.

On the other hand, Kiln Owners Association Vice Chairman Mehr Abdul Haq said the government is demolishing brick kilns because of smog. The government claims that brick kilns across the country have been converted to zigzag technology, but there are 20,000 kilns, including 12,500 in Punjab, of which barely 2,000 have been modified, he claimed.

He said the contribution of kilns in creating smog and pollution is only two per cent but they are being demolished.