HYDERABAD, Dec 7: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued an Environmental Protection Order (EPO) closing down a chipboard manufacturing factory in Kotri for polluting the environment.

According to a Hyderabad-based EPA official, Irfan Abbasi, the action was taken after SEPA DG Naeem Ahmed Mughal issued an EPO under Section 16 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) 1997.

The authority had received several complaints against the Sindh Particle Board, which produces chipboard after storing a stuff that is recovered from sugarcane during crushing.

People living in the vicinity of the factory had been complaining against pollution caused during the manufacture of chipboard.

EPA official said that it was first major action that had been taken against a polluter under the PEPA.

Mr Abbasi said that a number of area residents had complained of having developed asthma related problems and even tuberculosis due to the pollution caused by the factory.

“Now the factory has been ordered to close down for at least 60 days as per the action taken and thereafter the factory owner will obtain permission from the EPA to run it after meeting certain formalities,” he said.

He said that if the factory resumed its operations without complying with the relevant rules and regulations, a case would be filed against it and a fine of up to Rs100,000 would be imposed.