Latest news with #PunjabEnvironmentalProtectionDepartment
Express Tribune
01-08-2025
- Express Tribune
CCTV surveillance of industrial chimneys ordered
The Punjab Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has announced a province-wide crackdown on industries operating without adequate emission monitoring systems. Punjab Environment Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh has unveiled a plan to enforce real-time surveillance of industrial emissions through mandatory CCTV camera installations. Addressing a meeting with stakeholders, he declared that no industrial unit in Punjab will be allowed to operate without effective monitoring mechanisms in place. "Industries will no longer function unchecked. We are initiating a massive crackdown across Punjab to regulate emissions and ensure that environmental laws are strictly followed," he stated. Under the new directive, all industries operating boilers and furnaces will be required to install high-definition CCTV cameras on their chimneys to monitor emissions. The cameras will provide live monitoring access to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters in Lahore, enabling real-time oversight of smoke emissions. The technical specifications for these surveillance systems have been outlined in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). Two categories of cameras have been proposed as a primary option, industries are advised to install four-megapixel cameras known for their superior night vision and 360-degree coverage. As a secondary alternative, eight-megapixel fixed bullet cameras have been suggested, offering high-resolution fixed-angle monitoring. "These cameras will be strategically positioned to focus directly on emission outlets, ensuring that any unauthorised release of pollutants is immediately detected," DG Sheikh explained. He emphasised that the surveillance feeds will be integrated into the EPA's central monitoring system, enabling swift action against violators. The EPD has set a compliance deadline of August 31 for all industries to complete the installation of CCTV cameras as per the prescribed standards. Non-compliance will attract strict legal action under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997, in addition to Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which pertains to disobedience of official orders. "This is not merely a policy announcement; it is a decisive enforcement measure. Industries that fail to comply within the given timeline will face severe penalties, including potential closures and legal proceedings," warned the DG. The initiative is part of Punjab government's strategy to combat worsening air quality levels, largely attributed to unchecked industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and urbanisation. Over the past few years, smog and particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in major cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala have reached hazardous levels, prompting urgent regulatory interventions. According to EPD officials, the new surveillance regime will significantly enhance the department's ability to monitor emissions round the clock, addressing the previous challenges where industries often circumvented inspections by operating furnaces during non-peak monitoring hours. The live feed will serve as evidence against violators. The decision has received a mixed response from the industrial sector. While some industry representatives have expressed concerns over the financial burden of installing high-end surveillance equipment, environmental advocacy groups have lauded the move as a long-overdue step towards sustainable industrial practices. "This directive is a breakthrough in environmental governance. For too long, industries have exploited regulatory gaps. Real-time monitoring will ensure accountability and transparency," remarked a spokesperson from the Clean Air Punjab initiative, a coalition of environmental activists and civil society organisations. The EPD has also announced plans to conduct seminars and technical workshops for industry stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of the policy. These sessions will educate industrial operators on the technical requirements and environmental obligations under the new surveillance framework. DG Imran Hamid Sheikh asserted, "Pollution is not just an environmental issue; it's a public health emergency. The time for leniency is over. We are determined to ensure that every industrial stack in Punjab is monitored, and polluters are held accountable." The environmental protection department has also sought cooperation from the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) to integrate industrial surveillance data with the urban air quality monitoring systems, enhancing the province's capacity to respond to environmental hazards in real-time.
Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
WASA warns 435 factories over illegal waste discharge
The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has served notices to 435 industrial units, warning them to construct septic and silt tanks or face disconnection from the city's sewerage network. As per the official notices, the majority of industrial units have been found discharging chemically contaminated wastewater directly into WASA's sewerage lines in violation of the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS). Officials say this practice is not only contributing to environmental and air pollution but is also clogging the city's sewerage system, especially during the monsoon season, causing severe drainage issues for residents. The notices, issued on the directives of Managing Director Sohail Qadir Cheema, emphasise that under the WASA Sewerage and Drainage Rules and Regulations 2015, it is mandatory for every industrial unit to install a wastewater treatment system. However, most industries have been bypassing this requirement and illegally connecting their effluents to the city's network without the prerequisite construction of septic and silt tanks — despite having been provided with standardized designs and guidelines by the authorities. MD WASA Sohail Qadir Cheema stated that the continued discharge of untreated industrial waste into the sewer system is a significant hurdle in providing reliable drainage services, particularly during rains when chemically contaminated water from factories floods the system. He warned that if the directives are not implemented, WASA will proceed with disconnecting the sewerage connections of the violating industrial units. Additionally, legal action will be initiated against offenders. To enforce the compliance, joint teams from WASA and the Punjab Environmental Protection Department have been formed. These teams will conduct inspections and monitor compliance within a given timeframe. Units that fail to adhere to the orders will face disconnections and penalties under environmental and municipal regulations.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab rolls out 'Hawk Eye' surveillance
The Punjab Environmental Protection Department has launched Pakistan's first aerial surveillance initiative by establishing a dedicated drone-based monitoring company. The innovative step, spearheaded by Director General Environment Imran Hamid Sheikh, is part of the cutting-edge "Hawk Eye Project," which formally commenced aerial environmental monitoring across the province. According to department officials, thermal technology-equipped drones and a specially trained GIS wing have been deployed in the field. These advanced drones will not only identify industries and entities engaged in environmentally harmful activities but will also provide oversight on the performance of field staff, ensuring accountability. DG Imran Hamid Sheikh stated that under the Hawk Eye Project, a comprehensive e-mapping of all industries and brick kilns across Punjab has begun. He emphasised that aerial surveillance would allow for real-time detection of environmental violations, significantly improving enforcement mechanisms. During the project's inaugural surveillance operation, the GIS team identified three active pyrolysis plants in the Mehmood Booti area of Lahore. A detailed report was immediately submitted to the DG Environment, and an explanation will be sought from the Lahore field office regarding the matter. Furthermore, the team discovered four other industrial units and an empty plot containing hundreds of sacks filled with carbon. Experts have warned that such carbon stockpiles pose significant environmental risks and require urgent action. Authorities assert that the Hawk Eye Project represents a groundbreaking step in environmental monitoring and marks the beginning of a new era in environmental governance in Punjab. Meanwhile, terming it a "defining moment" in the provincial government's efforts to combat climate change challenges, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the launch of Pakistan's first-ever smart environmental protection force was a bold leap toward a cleaner, greener and climate-resilient future. "Equipped with drone surveillance, real-time AQI monitors, mobile labs, and specialiSed squads across key sectorsindustry, water, plastic, agriculture, transport, and fuelthis pioneering Force is committed to rapid response, accurate enforcement, and sustained air quality improvement," she said in a post on 'X'.
Express Tribune
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt enforces strict water conservation measures
LAHORE: In response to directives from the Lahore High Court, the Punjab Environmental Protection Department has announced stringent measures to curb water wastage across the province. Under the new regulations, washing cars at home using a hosepipe will result in a fine of Rs10,000, while illegal service stations will face immediate action. A special committee has been formed to oversee the implementation of these measures, comprising Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Secretary Environment Raja Jahangir, and Director General Environment Imran Hamid Sheikh. The committee will ensure strict enforcement of the Lahore High Court's orders. According to DG Environment Punjab, all service stations in the province must install water recycling systems by February 28. Non-compliant stations will be fined Rs100,000. Additionally, a complete ban has been imposed on washing vehicles with oil-based products, and the use of groundwater at construction sites has also been prohibited under the Punjab Environmental Act. Officials emphasised that Punjab has witnessed a 42% decline in rainfall over the past five years, exacerbating water shortages. These new measures are aimed at conserving the dwindling water resources and preventing further wastage. The Environmental Protection Department has urged the public to comply with the new regulations, warning that violators will face strict legal consequences.
