LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday directed a judicial commission to propose to the school education department to announce a two-week long winter vacation in the public and private schools as a step to help curb smog in the provincial capital.

Justice Shahid Karim was hearing public interest petitions filed by Haroon Farooq and others on different environmental issues.

The judge previously ordered closing of the schools on Fridays and Saturdays.

On Monday, the judge directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to run a smog awareness campaign on TV channels.

He also directed the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to strictly monitor the smoke-emitting industries.

Earlier, the Lahore deputy commissioner submitted a report containing recommendations to mitigate smog.

The report revealed that the Punjab government had already approved a project for procurement of 200 drone cameras under a World Bank-funded programme. It said modern drones with night-vision cameras could be programmed to report smoke emissions even during night time.

The report further stated that long-range PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras did not require human control and can automatically detect and record certain emissions from up to 3,000 meters distance. It proposed installation of the PTZ cameras at the smog hot spots in Lahore, including Mehmood Booti, Karol Ghati, Lakhodair, Turkey Road, Ring Road, Multan Road and Bund Road.

It also suggested installation of at least ten air quality monitoring stations in the city and increase in the field posts for the better implementation of the government policies.

The report said the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) had been focusing more on the ornamental plants, whereas urban green spaces should be used to purify the air and reduce “fugitive dust” in the city.

The judge adjourned the hearing till Dec 23 and directed the provincial government to release funds for the implementation of the report’s suggestions.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2022