LAHORE: Environment Protection Secretary Salman Ijaz said on Wednesday that action would be taken against those brick kilns that do not convert to zigzag technology till Sept 30.

A high-level meeting was held at the Environment Protection Department (EPD), chaired by Mr Ijaz and attended by Environment Protection Director General Irfan Nazir, EPD (EIA) Director General (DG) Naseemur Rehman Shah, Director Nusrat Naaz, officers of the agriculture, transport, forest and other departments concerned and representatives of brick kilns.

The performance of all departments present was reviewed regarding their coping mechanism in the wake of the expected smog situation. “All departments should appoint their focal persons regarding the prevention of smog,” said Ijaz.

The cabinet had been presented a smog policy for approval after making some amendments to it with the consultation of all stakeholders. Directions were given to the agriculture department to begin banning and issuing warnings regarding the burning of rice crop stubble.

The secretary said stern action will be taken against those responsible for pollution and directed the health department to establish special desks regarding smog.

DG Shah said that 300 brick kilns had converted to zigzag technology in Punjab. The department had sent notices to the kilns and given them time from April 1 to Sept 30 for conversion to the new technology after which action would be taken. Meanwhile, the kilns would be totally shutdown during the smog season by the end of October.

DENGUE: Also on agenda was the prevention of dengue regarding which Mr Ijaz said the Directorate General Public Relations should launch a comprehensive awareness campaign for the masses. He said all officers concerned should go out in the field daily and conduct surveys.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2019