Latest news with #EnvironmentProtectionDepartment
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Smoke blankets Jaranwala as factories flout laws
A truck engine is tested for pollution exiting its exhaust pipe near the Mexican-US border in Otay Mesa, California September 10, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE Air pollution in Jaranwala has reached hazardous levels due to unchecked emissions from dozens of sizing factories operating in the area, exposing serious lapses in environmental law enforcement. Afzaal Ali Gujjar, a university graduate and local milkman, said the clusters of factories near Sargodha Road and adjacent localities including Nalka Kahala, Samana Pul and the small industrial estate, are releasing dense smoke without installing modern emission control systems. "The smoke from these factories causes respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic cough, cancer, and ENT issues. People are forced to cover their faces while passing through this poisonous air," he said. Umair Latif, a BSc (Hons) student at Madina Teaching University, expressed frustration over the daily ordeal of traveling through heavy smoke. "The stench from the factories not only fills the air outside but even enters our classrooms, disturbing our concentration and studies. It's hard to believe this is happening without some form of collusion between factory owners and the environment department," he said. Arifa Nayyir, a resident of Ghulshan-e-Madina Colony near the spinning mills, shared how emissions directly affect her household. "Whenever the factory's boiler is turned on, thick smoke coats everythingincluding freshly washed clothes. We filed a complaint three months ago, but the environment department didn't respond," she claimed. Arifa also revealed that her daughter's engagement was broken off due to the family's proximity to the pollution source, underscoring the social stigma now attached to the area. When contacted, Usman Azhar, Deputy Director of the Environment Protection Department, acknowledged receiving multiple complaints regarding the persistent smoke on Sargodha Road. "An anti-smog squad has been activated, and warning notices have been issued to dozens of mill owners to install Emission Control Systems (ECS). We've also advised the use of wet scrubbers to reduce particulate emissions," he said. He further stated that around 40 FIRs have been registered and over 100 challans sent to the Environment Tribunal in Lahore against non-compliant factories. "We are fully committed to our responsibility. However, we've requested more staff and infrastructure to improve enforcement. The Smog Mitigation Action Plan 2024 is being implemented in full, targeting key emission sectors while promoting sustainable practices," Azhar added. Despite official assurances, residents continue to suffer in what they describe as an "open-air gas chamber," urging immediate and decisive action to restore breathable air and hold violators accountable.
The Star
21-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Pom-Pom's marine paradise under siege
Underwater damage: The condition of the scraped reef. KOTA KINABALU: The pristine and lush seabeds of Pom-Pom island, Semporna, home to numerous marine species, especially endangered sea turtles, are now under threat. Conservationists in the area have noticed a foreign barge, believed to be owned by a tour company, dredging sand from the seabed. 'If the government is serious about caring for the environment and preserving nature, why is this happening?' a conservationist, who declined to be named, said. He believes this work is for the construction of a new resort on the island. Workers were seen bringing in soil, rocks and other building materials on the barge. 'They tried to bring the barge into the island, but even during the highest tide, it wasn't possible for it to get close to shore,' he said. 'The workers then tried to dredge a deeper pathway to the shore to allow the barge in. However, the plan didn't work.' The conservationist further claimed the workers tried to create a 'reclaimed beach' so the barge could offload materials. 'They are destroying the reefs on the western side. They've been dredging and causing sedimentation there,' he alleged. Most of the species that make the area their home and foraging ground are green turtles and eagle rays. According to the conservationist, any such works should require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and approval from the state's Environment Protection Department. 'We are not aware of any EIA being carried out. There were no surveys done as far as we know to assess the impact on the reefs and corals. 'If you look at the barge, it is massive and directly above the reefs. You can see that the sedimentation has already spread to a larger area.' He added that the affected area is covered with sea grass which acts as a food source for green turtles and nursery ground for fish. With the sedimentation, sea grass will not get sunlight and will eventually die.
Straits Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Pom-Pom island's marine paradise in Sabah under siege
A conservationist claimed the dredging works have damaged reefs on the western side of the island. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK KOTA KINABALU, Sabah - The pristine and lush seabeds of Pom-Pom island in Sabah, home to numerous marine species, especially endangered sea turtles, are now under threat. Conservationists in the area have noticed a foreign barge, believed to be owned by a tour company, dredging sand from the seabed. 'If the government is serious about caring for the environment and preserving nature, why is this happening?' a conservationist, who declined to be named, said. He believes this work is for the construction of a new resort on the island. Workers were seen bringing in soil, rocks and other building materials on the barge. 'They tried to bring the barge into the island, but even during the highest tide, it wasn't possible for it to get close to shore,' he said. 'The workers then tried to dredge a deeper pathway to the shore to allow the barge in. However, the plan didn't work.' The conservationist further claimed the workers tried to create a 'reclaimed beach' so the barge could offload materials. 'They are destroying the reefs on the western side. They've been dredging and causing sedimentation there,' he alleged. Most of the species that make the area their home and foraging ground are green turtles and eagle rays. According to the conservationist, any such works should require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and approval from the state's Environment Protection Department. 'We are not aware of any EIA being carried out. There were no surveys done as far as we know to assess the impact on the reefs and corals. 'If you look at the barge, it is massive and directly above the reefs. You can see that the sedimentation has already spread to a larger area.' He added that the affected area is covered with sea grass which acts as a food source for green turtles and nursery ground for fish. With the sedimentation, sea grass will not get sunlight and will eventually die. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Express Tribune
29-01-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Plastic ban fails to achieve desired results
LAHORE: There are two ways of dealing with a leaky faucet. The first is to cover the tap with duct tape and block the flow of water while the other involves recognizing and addressing the root cause of the leakage. Unfortunately, the Punjab government habitually chooses to go with the first option, the convenient albeit maladroit solution. Over the past few years, multiple bans have been imposed on the shopping bag industry in Punjab with the aim of reducing land pollution however, the failure of the state authorities to address the root cause behind the continued sale of plastic has only meant that the hefty fines imposed on shopkeepers are shifted to the customers through increased prices while plastic bag sales remain high in the wholesale market. The Director General of the Environment Protection Department, Imran Hameed, has issued a stern warning to shopping bag users, stating that from this month onwards, using plastic shopping bags will result in severe penalties including six months' imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs100,000 or both. 'The Punjab government now only permits shopping bags with a thickness of 75 microns or above. Those producing, selling, or using bags below this threshold will face crackdowns,' announced Sajid Bashir, the spokesperson for the Environment Protection Department. According to a report obtained by the Express Tribune, more than 15,000 shopping bag manufacturing units, both large and small, are operating in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and D.G. Khan, with 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of plastic bags manufactured daily in the provincial capital. Documents further revealed that although Lahore alone generates 65,000 tonnes of waste daily, with 20 percent or 18,000 tonnes consisting of shopping bags, the government only has the capacity to collect 19,000 tonnes hence leading to pollution and disruption of the sanitation system. Qudratullah, a local consumer, while sharing his two cents on the matter, opined that like the past, the recent ban too existed only in paper, and not in practice. 'Shopkeepers continue to sell plastic bags. They keep two types of bags; one for which they charge Rs10 and the other, the plastic bag, which is free,' he disclosed. Meanwhile, a shopkeeper, Babar Khan revealed that he gave shopping bags to customers upon their demand. 'The Environmental Protection Department and district administration impose separate fines, inquiring about why shopping bags are being used. However, if customers demand shopping bags, shopkeepers have no choice but to provide them,' shrugged Khan. According to Professor Anwarul Haq Sheikh, a medical professional from the Sahiwal Medical College, the use of plastic causes skin diseases and cancer. 'The government should have banned shopping bags and other plastic items a long time ago, but due to political expediency, it was ignored. Now, the plastic industry has become a significant challenge for the government,' claimed Sheikh. Sheikh's concerns were validated when the correspondent spoke to two stakeholders in the plastic industry, both of whom were adamant at continuing with their business until the government provided them with an alternative source of income. Mushtaq Ahmed, a local shopping bag trader, revealed that he had eight children to support and was living in a rented house. 'If the government wants to shut down this industry, they should provide compensation. We'll find another job. Shutting down this industry will increase unemployment. We won't let this industry shut down and will take this issue to court." vowed Ahmed. Similarly, Javed Jilani, in-charge of a large shopping bag manufacturing unit, suggested that instead of shutting down the industry, the government should help transition it to eco-friendly alternatives. 'This way, the government can mitigate the environmental impact while safeguarding livelihoods,' opined Jilani. Senior Minister of Punjab and Minister for Environment, Marriyum Aurangzeb maintained that the government had launched the 'No to Plastic' campaign to eliminate pollution starting from 2024
