RAWALPINDI: Punjab Environment Protection Agency (Punjab-EPA) on Friday issued notices to 34 marble factories in the garrison city and poultry feed mill in Gujar Khan.

The marble factories were served notices and asked to adopt measures to stop noise, air and water pollution in their respective areas within seven days or else the Punjab-EPA will stop them from working.

Talking to Dawn, District Officer Environment Muhammad Nawaz said Punjab-EPA had conducted a survey of the area around Westridge and found that these factories released untreated waste water and caused air and noise pollution.

He said he had issued notices under section 146D-1(e) of the Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2001 (Amended).

District Officer Environment Muhammad Nawaz told Dawn that Punjab-EPA team also served notice on Sadiq Feed Mill in Gujar Khan following complaints from residents.

“Our team visited the mill and found a foul smell emanating from there as well as untreated waste water being released. This is a hazard to the environment and health of residents,” he said.

“There is a dire need to adopt necessary measures for treatment of waste water before disposal, control the excessive emissions of smoke, dust/particulate matters and foul smells,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2014