LAHORE, Oct 2: The environment departments in 19 districts of Punjab have eventually become functional six years after the implementation of the devolution plan.

Since the implementation of devolution process in 2001, the authorities concerned did not bother to establish environment departments in Bhakkar, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Mianwali, Khushab, Hafizabad, Layyah, Toba Tek Singh, Okara, Pakpattan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Khanewal, Rajanpur and Nankana till May last.

Now after becoming functional, these departments have been directed to prepare a complete record of pollution so that a comprehensive strategy could be adopted to deal with it. The departments will coordinate with the Punjab Environment Protection Department.

EPD deputy director Nasimur Rehman told Dawn on Tuesday that the departments had now become functional and Punjab Environment Minister Dr Anjum Amjad had directed the new (environment) departments to maintain the record of industrial units, kilns, hospitals and vehicles responsible for creating pollution in their respective districts within two months.

“Such a study will help adopt certain measures to control the pollution there,” he added.

The newly-established environment department has a staff of five — a district officer (in-charge), two inspectors and as many clerks. Half of the departments are without a regular district officer. However, the EPD has forwarded a recommendation to the Punjab Public Service Commission that only the candidates with environment background should be considered for the post.

Interestingly, in the other districts where the environment departments were set up soon after the devolution, degradation of environment had been continuing unabated.

EPD director (P&C) Khalid Mahmood told the district environment officers that they would be submitting a consolidated monthly progress report to the department on a regular basis. He also asked them to complete a report in all respects duly equipped with scientific evidence, besides establishing offence under the provision of the Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997 in respect of public complaints, installation of BTS towers, IEE\EIA cases, establishment of the units, housing colonies and highrises in violation of section 12 of the act, improper disposal of solid waste and municipal effluent and pollution of marble and stone cutters.

He directed the environment officers to contact the local traffic authorities for the launch of a campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles. He said all the officials concerned should take cognisance of the offence by initiating action against the manufacturers and traders under prohibition of manufacture and sale of polythene bags ordinance. All district environment officers shall comply with the directives of the federal and provincial governments in letter and spirit.

Mr Mahmood directed the district (environment) officer of Sheikhupura to submit a detailed report after establishing an offence under the provisions of PEPA equipped with scientific evidence against environmental pollution caused by the Shalamar Steel Mills.

All the district officers (environment) were of the view that the number of inspectors in their respective districts should be enhanced in accordance with the number of towns\tehsils in their areas of jurisdiction. “At least two inspectors should be posted at town\tehsil level for effective surveillance and implementation of environment laws of major cities,” the officers said.