Punjab to focus on housing societies across province for smog prevention
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Punjab government has decided to focus on all public and private housing societies in the province for environmental improvement and prevention of smog, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
It has also been decided to plant 'agroforests' on hundreds of thousands acres of idle land and the increase in trees and plantation will eliminate air pollution and will help in increase of oxygen levels.
These projects are part of the short, medium and long-term vision of the Chief Minister of Punjab to eliminate smog and air pollution.
The number of trees will be increased in housing societies, inside cities and on the sides of all highways.
Work has been started on creating a wide protective circle of trees in the vicinity of Lahore.
In this regard, Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb said if trees grow, human breathing will be possible, the public and institutions will have to fight this jihad together.
Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that damaged vehicles will not be allowed to ply on the roads and vehicles must be certified by the wax station.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted raids on industrial units, kilns and took action on violations. EPA also checked vehicles emitting excessive smoke and fined them of over Rs40.6 million, 14 industrial units sealed and 8 notices filed.
Moreover, one industrial unit demolished, 9 sealed and imposed fine of Rs600000.
Continuous checking of commercial generators and barbecue points in the green lockdown zone, notices were issued to several points for non-compliance with smog rules.
Water spraying continued on roads, to prevent dust, to prevent pollution spread due to overloading of soil and sand.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said strict monitoring of sand-laden trolleys continues at the entrances of Lahore and action will continue against trolleys carrying sand in an unsafe manner.
The aim of these measures is to control environmental pollution to protect the health of citizens and ensure a clean environment and violations will be punished exemplary and there will be no concessions, Senior Provincial Minister said.
She said Lahore will be made the top clean and environmentally safe city not only in Pakistan but in the world.