Engines break desert calm

LAHORE:

As several cities across Punjab grapple with a thick blanket of smog and rising air pollution, the Punjab Tourism Department has pressed ahead with arrangements for the Thal Desert Jeep Rally.

The high-octane event, famous for vehicles kicking up plumes of dust in the barren Thal sands, has sparked concerns over exacerbating environmental pollution.

The roaring engines and dust clouds from the off-road vehicles, experts warn, may further contribute to environmental degradation. The four-day rally is set to kick off on November 7 from Head Muhammad Wala Changa Manga Hill, with the official roadmap released by the Tourism Department.

According to the schedule, the event will run from November 7 to 10, culminating in an awards ceremony at Muzaffargarh's Faisal Stadium on November 10.

Set against the arid expanse of Kot Addu's deserts, the rally will feature over 100 racers, both domestic and international, showcasing their skills.

The itinerary outlines that registration, tagging, technical inspections, and medical check-ups will take place on November 7 from 9 am to 3 pm. The qualifying round will rev up on November 8 at Head Muhammad Wala Changa Manga Hill.

The stock category race will follow on November 9, and the modified vehicle and women's categories will hold their competitions on November 10, ending with the evening awards ceremony at Faisal Stadium.

A 100-km track spanning Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, and Layyah has been meticulously prepared, featuring 13 different categories of competition.

For the first time, the event will also spotlight Punjab's rich cultural heritage, with festivities including traditional buggies, Jhumar dances, drum performances, and engaging school programs. The otherwise arid area in three Punjab districts will light up with festivities and roaring sounds of motor vehicle engines as drivers will cover the bumpy track across multiple competitions.

However, environmental experts have raised red flags. With four divisions of Punjab already in the grip of hazardous smog and the threat spreading, they argue that the rally may introduce pollution to areas that have thus far been spared.