The Punjab Environmental Policy 2015 has completely defined the Air Quality which is mentioned there but Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environmental Protection Department (EPD) have completely failed to perform thier duties as per Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 2015 and The Punjab Environment Policy 2015.
Air Quality In Punjab
One of the emerging environmental issues is degradation of ambient air quality particularly in urban areas. Various surveys show that air pollution levels in cities have either crossed safe limits or have reached the threshold values. The most serious issue of air quality in province is the presence of excessive Suspended Particulate Matters (SPM) present in the ambient air. The major sources of SPM are transportation of sand, clay, bricks etc in open vehicles, in-efficient sweeping of roads, elevated green areas, transport, industry, burning of solid waste, brick kilns and natural dust. Ambient air quality of major cities is also affected by massive increase in traffic. Presence of high levels of suspended particulate matters in the air is certainly a matter of concern due to its serious health implications for public.
Actions Required As Per The Punjab Environment Policy 2015
a) Prepare and implement action plans for all cities for addressing air pollution for both point and non-point sources, relying on a judicious combination of regulations and incentive based instruments.
b) Regulate transportation of sand, clay, bricks and other construction materials in open trolleys and carts, in urban centers.
c) Formulate a strategy for urban transport to ensure adequate investment, public and private, in low-pollution mass transport systems.
d) Establish and enforce standards for ambient air quality.
e) Ensure effective enforcement of the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards and Self Monitoring Rules.
f) Ensure reduction and control of harmful emissions through regulatory programs.
g) Regulate vehicular emissions.
h) Establish standards for vehicles at the manufacturing stage.
i) Update and enforce fuel specifications.
j) Make use of catalytic converters in new and in-use vehicles mandatory.
k) Phase out sulphur from diesel and furnace oil.
l) Promote clean fuel production technologies.
m) Phase out two stroke vehicles.
n) Encourage cost effective inter-city mass transit systems in major cities.
o) Promote non-motorized means of travel such as cycling and walking through provision of adequate walkways and cycle lanes along roadsides in all cities of the province.
p) Ensure the installation of air pollution control system by all industrial units.
q) Relocation of hazardous and air polluting industries from residential areas to outside the cities.
r) Relocation of Brick Kilns located in residential areas to outside the cities.
s) Enforcements of clean fuel usage in all industrial units and brick kilns.
t) Removal of Air pollution sources adjacent to educational institutes and hospital / health care centers.
u) New educational institutes and hospitals / health care centers should be established off road sites to save the student’s health from vehicular pollution.
v) Launch programs for adaptation of clean technologies for gradual up-gradation of the ambient air quality of urban areas through Research and Development.
Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/ 0333-5769655
Air Quality In Punjab
One of the emerging environmental issues is degradation of ambient air quality particularly in urban areas. Various surveys show that air pollution levels in cities have either crossed safe limits or have reached the threshold values. The most serious issue of air quality in province is the presence of excessive Suspended Particulate Matters (SPM) present in the ambient air. The major sources of SPM are transportation of sand, clay, bricks etc in open vehicles, in-efficient sweeping of roads, elevated green areas, transport, industry, burning of solid waste, brick kilns and natural dust. Ambient air quality of major cities is also affected by massive increase in traffic. Presence of high levels of suspended particulate matters in the air is certainly a matter of concern due to its serious health implications for public.
Actions Required As Per The Punjab Environment Policy 2015
a) Prepare and implement action plans for all cities for addressing air pollution for both point and non-point sources, relying on a judicious combination of regulations and incentive based instruments.
b) Regulate transportation of sand, clay, bricks and other construction materials in open trolleys and carts, in urban centers.
c) Formulate a strategy for urban transport to ensure adequate investment, public and private, in low-pollution mass transport systems.
d) Establish and enforce standards for ambient air quality.
e) Ensure effective enforcement of the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards and Self Monitoring Rules.
f) Ensure reduction and control of harmful emissions through regulatory programs.
g) Regulate vehicular emissions.
h) Establish standards for vehicles at the manufacturing stage.
i) Update and enforce fuel specifications.
j) Make use of catalytic converters in new and in-use vehicles mandatory.
k) Phase out sulphur from diesel and furnace oil.
l) Promote clean fuel production technologies.
m) Phase out two stroke vehicles.
n) Encourage cost effective inter-city mass transit systems in major cities.
o) Promote non-motorized means of travel such as cycling and walking through provision of adequate walkways and cycle lanes along roadsides in all cities of the province.
p) Ensure the installation of air pollution control system by all industrial units.
q) Relocation of hazardous and air polluting industries from residential areas to outside the cities.
r) Relocation of Brick Kilns located in residential areas to outside the cities.
s) Enforcements of clean fuel usage in all industrial units and brick kilns.
t) Removal of Air pollution sources adjacent to educational institutes and hospital / health care centers.
u) New educational institutes and hospitals / health care centers should be established off road sites to save the student’s health from vehicular pollution.
v) Launch programs for adaptation of clean technologies for gradual up-gradation of the ambient air quality of urban areas through Research and Development.
w) Promote implementation of regulations for allocation of buffer area along all major roads. Provision of service roads may be encouraged to avoid any development directly along major roads.
Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/ 0333-5769655
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