For a pollution-free province: LG, environment and transport depts told to make joint plan

Strategic plan to eradicate environment pollution in accordance with laws

KARACHI: The provincial environment, health, local government and transport departments have been directed to make a joint environment plan within a week to address anti-environment and health issues.

Presiding over a meeting on environment issues at his office on Monday, Sindh chief secretary Muhammad Siddiq Memon asked the environment secretary to submit a strategic plan to eradicate the environmental pollution in accordance with the laws. Sources said that the meeting was conducted on court orders over environmental issues in Sindh.

"The transport department, along with the help of the traffic police, will also discuss issues related to vehicle pollution," an official confirmed, adding that the director-general of the ministry of environment has also been asked to make a plan on the issue of stone-crushing.

The environment ministry was also advised that the plan may be ensured in consultation and coordination with health and local government departments.

The officials of all four departments also reviewed the measures to overcome issues, such as the status of CNG-operated transport, steps to check and control harmful smoke omitted from vehicles and bottlenecks on main arteries.

The meeting was attended by transport secretary Taha Farooqi, environment secretary Sajjad Abbasi, health secretary Iftikhar Ahmed Shalwani and environment department director-general Naeem Mughal. Memon directed Farooqi and Traffic DIG to jointly present a plan for future attempts in a report, which will include action already taken.

Also reviewing the status of the anti-smoking drive, the chief secretary noted that joint efforts must be undertaken by all the departments. The issue of sale and extensive use of tobacco, gukta and paan was also discussed. Memon expressed his grievance over the use of chewable tobacco across the province, especially in rural areas. He pointed out that children are also using chewable tobacco without any fear of its consequences.

It may be noted, despite a ban imposed on the sale of gutka and other chewable tobacco and notices taken by government officials, the sale continues openly. Sources informed that most police officials allow illegal and unhealthy business across the province, especially in three divisions, including Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas.

Medical experts claimed the ratio of mouth cancer patients is increasing because of the extensive usage of tobacco in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2015.