ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: Minister for Environment Maj (retired) Tahir Iqbal on Tuesday said 30 per cent air pollution in the country was due to vehicular emissions.

He was speaking at a function organized by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Girls College in connection with the environment week.

The minister pointed out that around 50 per cent patients undergoing treatment in hospitals were suffering from diseases related to contaminated water. We are facing this dilemma and need to make concerted efforts for making our society pollution free," he added.

He said ordinary measures like proper tuning of vehicles, proper disposal of waste and energy conservation could help control 40 per cent of pollution. He said the government was taking concrete measures to control pollution and set the foundations for a cleaner society.

Mr Iqbal said the government had made Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) obligatory for every future project to ensure that the development process and a cleaner environment go side by side.

He asked schoolchildren to play their role in protecting the environment. "Let us not throw garbage around. Let us not pollute our picnic resorts, roads, streets, air and water." The minister said the environment ministry was in contact with the education ministry to include environment issues in the curricula for class I to XII.

The ministry is also contemplating to start 'Roaming Environment Schools' where environment teachers will be delivering lectures to children on environmental issues, he added.

Mr Iqbal urged upon the children to do their bit by taking initiatives at household level to reduce pollution. "Be my eyes and ears as far as environment is concerned. I am inspired by concerns you have shown for a cleaner society and hope, your contribution will be valuable," he added.

Earlier, students of college's primary section presented skits and tableau to highlight environmental issues. 'Save Mother Earth' skit depicted beautifully how the mankind was polluting the earth.

Youngsters also made a promise in their presentation to save earth. An appreciable level of awareness was witnessed amongst small children regarding pollution and preservation of environment. -APP