Environmental pollution is disastrous for a healthy society:CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Najam Sethi has said that environmental pollution is disastrous for a healthy society which not only causes spread of various diseases but also leaves a negative impact on human lives. He said that besides government, it is also responsibility of the citizens to keep environment clean.

The Chief Minister stressed the need for launching public awareness campaign about keeping the environment clean. He directed that more steps should be taken for keeping the environment clean inside and surroundings of factories and industrial organizations so that not only citizens could be protected from various diseases but environment could also be kept clean.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting at Chief Minister’s Secretariat today. A briefing was given to the Chief Minister about the problems being caused due to environmental pollution and their solution. A detailed briefing was also given to the meeting about Solid Waste Management. Provincial Minister for Environment Protection & Industries Arif Ijaz, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Secretary Environment Protection, Secretary Local Government, Secretary Industries, DCO Lahore, Managing Director Lahore Waste Management Company, Project Director Urban Unit and concerned officials attended the meeting.

Najam Sethi said that there is a dire need of taking effective and coordinated steps for keeping environment clean. He said that the concerned departments should play an active role in this regard so that citizens could live in a pollution free environment. The Chief Minister directed concerned authorities to take action against those spreading environmental pollution as per law and all necessary measures should be taken for eradicating environmental pollution. He said that besides eradicating environmental pollution, there is a need of improving cleanliness arrangements according to modern demands. He said although solid waste management is working in an efficient manner in Lahore yet the situation of cleanliness arrangements in other cities is not satisfactory. Najam Sethi stressed the need for further improving the system of solid waste management and adopting modern methods of cleanliness. He said that there is a need of creating awareness among the masses about keeping cities clean. He said that there should be uniform and quality arrangements of cleanliness in all areas and the garbage should be disposed of properly covered.

Managing Director Lahore Waste Management Company informed the meeting that modern system of cleanliness has been introduced in 138 urban union councils where roads are washed with water during night time whereas the staff of Lahore Waste Management Company is still discharging the responsibility of cleanliness in 12 rural union councils. He told that the work on landfill site on 140 acre land at Lakhudair is continuing. He disclosed that this is the first modern landfill site of Punjab which, after completion, will help in disposing of garbage through modern methods. He informed that Mahmood Booti where garbage was thrown earlier is being converted into a park. Secretary Environment Protection Department gave a briefing about the problems being caused due to environmental pollution and their eradication.