Sunday, July 3, 2016

Environmental Protection Agency Has Failed To Enforce Its Policy 2015

The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 is a guide for actions in regulatory reform, programmes and projects for environmental conservation; and will review and ensure the enactment of legislation, by Provincial and Local Governments. The policy has been approved by the Punjab Environmental Protection Council headed by the Chief Minister Punjab under Section 4 (b) of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997 (amendment Act 2012) and is enforced with immediate effect.

But Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environmental Protection Department (EPD) have completely failed to implement and enforce the The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 while it is clearly mentioned in the policy that The urban areas of all Punjab cities especially Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Sialkot are facing problems of uncontrolled urbanization, haphazard industrialization, deterioration of air, surface and ground water quality, improper disposal of the municipal and industrial wastes.

It is increasingly evident that poor environmental quality has adversely affected human health. Environmental factors are estimated as being responsible in some cases for the burden of disease in the province.

The policy provides a comprehensive framework by providing sectoral and cross sectoral guidelines for the development of an action plan, for efforts on adaptation and mitigation of environmental challenges by Provincial and Local Governments under their domain of functions and rules of business.

Goal Of The Punjab Environment Policy 2015

The Punjab Environment Policy aims to protect, conserve and restore Punjab environment in order to improve the quality of life of the citizens through sustainable development.

Objectives

The objectives of the Policy are:

a) Protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, prevention and control of pollution and promotion of sustainable development and efficient management and enhancement of environmental resources.

b) Integration of environmental considerations in policy making and planning processes through environmental governance.

c) Integration of environmental concerns in Economic and Social Development.

d) Capacity building of government agencies and other stakeholders at all levels for better environmental management.

e) Meeting national and international obligations effectively in line with the Provincial aspirations.

f) Creation of a demand for environmental protection through mass awareness and community mobilization.


EPA and EPD Have Completely Failed To Enforce The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 

Environment Protection Department and Environmental Protection Agency have completely failed to implement and enforce the The Punjab Environment Policy 2015 therefor millions of citizen of Lahore are suffering from verious serious diseases due to alarming air pollution in Lahore. If visists any hospital and clinic, numerous patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, chest and ENT infections and psychosomatic diseases. But the silent role of EPA and EPD have curled the lives of citizens into fetal contortions of agony, pain and lamentation. This level of ignorance is deplorable by EPA and EPD.


Mahmood Saleem
Advocate High Court
Office Number 9,Mian Mansion, 4 Mozang Raod, Lahore
Mobile. 0321-4314001/  0333-5769655





1 comment:

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