NAROWAL: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, and the Livestock and Dairy Development Department have collaborated on a project to “minimise atmospheric pollution”.

According to the plan, the labourers residing in villages near ponds will be provided with bird units (three female and one male ducks).

Livestock and Dairy Development Deputy Director Dr Nayyar Maqsood Khan said ponds are made in villages to dispose of dirty water but flies, mosquitoes and other insects also breed there and foul smell and diseases spread.

“According to a research of the UVAS, ducks eat flies, mosquitoes and other insects and foul smell producing proteins and in this way odour is lessened and atmospheric pollution decreased,” he said.

While distributing bird units among the labourers, Dr Nayyar said: “In order to lessen atmospheric pollution 300 duck units are being distributed among the poor villagers free of cost.

These ducks have been acquired from a farmhouse of Sindh and these will also benefit the owners as the government will also buy birds from them.”

The project is being implemented in all districts of Punjab.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2017