Green zones around industries ordered

Environment department warns of action against tree felling

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LAHORE:

The Punjab Environment Department has ordered the establishment of environmental buffer zones around industrial areas across the province to reduce pollution and improve public health.

Under directives issued by Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, all industrial estates and zones will now be required to develop green buffer belts around their premises to help minimise the effects of smoke, toxic gases and other harmful emissions produced by factories.

The initiative has been launched under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997.

According to officials, industrial pollution has emerged as a growing threat to public health, particularly in densely populated urban centres where air quality continues to deteriorate because of factory emissions, vehicular smoke and unchecked commercial activities.

The department warned that strict action would be taken against industries and institutions found violating environmental regulations.

It also directed industrial units to ensure large-scale plantation drives within their premises and surrounding areas as part of the new policy.

Officials said institutions failing to carry out mandatory tree plantation would face legal action, while unauthorised cutting of trees has been prohibited.

The government has also announced action against encroachments or damage to green belts established around industrial zones.

In addition, organisations that fail to meet plantation targets or environmental compliance requirements will be held accountable under environmental laws.

EPA officials have instructed field teams to conduct inspections and ensure strict implementation of the directives across Punjab.

To improve monitoring and oversight, the GIS Department has been assigned the responsibility of mapping industrial areas and identifying locations requiring immediate environmental intervention.

Authorities say the move is designed not only to improve environmental conditions but also to create a sustainable balance between industrial expansion and public health protection.

The initiative comes as the Punjab government expands a province-wide anti-pollution campaign in response to persistent concerns over air quality, especially in Lahore, which frequently ranks among the world's most polluted cities during winter.

The EPA had earlier accelerated efforts to establish plastic-free zones in major commercial centres. The agency had announced that plastic bags thinner than 75 microns were banned as part of a crackdown on plastic pollution.

According to official data, the Punjab EPA conducted 3,612 inspections during the first four months of the ongoing year.

It confiscated more than 937,000 kilogrammes of plastic bags, issued 189 notices and imposed fines amounting to Rs3 million.

Officials also sealed 26 premises and registered seven FIRs against violators.

The department has simultaneously stepped up action against vehicular emissions, another major contributor to urban air pollution.

The EPA recently established a monitoring desk at the Safe Cities Authority to identify smoke-emitting vehicles through surveillance systems and issue electronic challans to violators. During the current month, fines exceeding Rs1 million have been imposed on 211 vehicles for failing to meet emission standards.

According to the latest readings, Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) level of 83 on Tuesday evening, placing it in the moderate category, while Karachi recorded an AQI of 90. Riyadh topped the global pollution rankings with an AQI of 153, followed by Kathmandu and Dhaka.

Officials say the industrial buffer zones, combined with strict enforcement measures, are expected to contribute to long-term environmental improvement across the province.