January 28, 2007	Sunday	Muharram 08, 1428

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LAHORE, Jan 27: The environment department will seek more than Rs500 million for 22 new projects from the provincial government in the annual development plan for the year 2007-08, officials say.

A sum of Rs675.74 million is also being requested for four ongoing schemes — formulation of a Punjab Sustainable Development Strategy, construction of an EPA complex, installation of a suspended particulate matter display system in Lahore and Kasur Environment Improvement Programme Phase-II, they say.

A big chunk, Rs137 million, of the proposed allocation for the new schemes will be sought to establish a project management unit to protect water bodies in the province.

The proposed project includes monitoring and surveillance of water bodies, identification of pollution sources and proposing measures and guidelines for protecting these water bodies.

Under another proposed scheme, it plans monitoring of sub-soil water sources for arsenic contamination across the province.

The second highest apportionment, Rs90 million, will be for setting up mobile squads to monitor vehicular pollution in three major cities of the province — Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujranwala. The amount will be utilised to procure equipment and vehicles as well as train staff meant for the squads.

Feasibility study of air pollution control in selected industries like cotton ginning, poultry protein producing units, steel furnishing and rerolling mills as well as fabrication of a model stone crusher in Sargodha has also been proposed in the ADP.

On inter-sectoral issues, the department has planned monitoring and evaluation of NGOs’ projects, enforcement of environmental protection orders through effective monitoring and implementation status of environmental approvals.

A sum of Rs25 million has also been sought for acquiring land and constructing a laboratory at Multan whereas the authorities have also been suggested preparation of PC-II for introducing the concept of green buildings in Punjab.

Under an energy conservation and renewable policy, it plans to introduce the solar energy system for which an amount of Rs10 million has been sought from the government.

For human resource development and creating awareness among stakeholders in various industries and masses, the department has proposed training of master trainers, establishment of environment clubs in schools of four districts (Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat), and introduction of advance oxidation methods for treating textile waste.

Feasibility study for establishing a landfill facility for tannery waste in Sheikhupura will also be conducted.