HYDERABAD, March 11: The director general, environment, Shafiq Ahmad Khoso, has said his department has submitted a scheme to Islamabad for approval to ensure implementation of laws against smoke-emitting vehicles.

He was talking to members of trade and industry at the Hyderabad Chamber and Commerce and Industry conference hall on Monday.

He said he had held a detailed meeting with the DIG, traffic, regarding action against smoke-emitting vehicles.

He said after approval of the scheme, green stickers would be issued to vehicles and to monitor progress of the scheme, centres would first be established in Karachi and Hyderabad and then in other cities and towns.

Mr Khoso said help would also be sought from the district government.

He urged the business community to organize seminars to educate people about dangerous effects of pollution.

About effluent of the city that was being disposed of in Phulleli and Pinyari canals, he said contaminated water supplied from these canals was used by the people of Badin and Thatta which spread diseases.

He said the Hyderabad Development Authority had got approved an open drain scheme, costing Rs176 million, but it was postponed. He said sewers also were in dilapidated condition.

The former commissioner of Hyderabad suggested that dirty water accumulated near the Zeal Pak Cement Factory should be drained out and used for agricultural purposes after being recycled.

He said the population of Hyderabad was about 1.8 million but existing facilities could meet requirements of 400,000 people.

ADVISER: The adviser to the Sindh chief minister for forest and wildlife, Syed Ejaz Ali Shah, has urged officers of the department to make efforts to protect and preserve forests. He was presiding over a meeting of district forest officers here on Monday.