‘Only 4 out of 379 units have water treatment plants’

* DDO says LDA, TMA responsible for allowing illegal construction of industries

Aaj Kal Report

LAHORE: Only four out of 379 industrial units operating in Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate have separate water treatment plants and the site for a combined treatment plant has not been allocated yet, a report said on Sunday.

The report titled “Action required as follow up of unplanned industrialisation and environmental issues of Lahore District –Interim Report” was prepared by the Environment Department of the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) and has been sent to the chief minister (CM).

According to the report, there is no solid waste disposal site for the industrial estate and the government should issue directions to the industrial units to take proper measures in this regard. The report said the site for a combined effluent treatment plant (CETP) proposed in the upstream of the industrial flow was neither feasible nor had been acquired. The industrial units could not have separate effluent treatment plants, the report said, adding that clusters of dying plants at Denim Road were discharging 25-30 cusecs contaminated water per day in the Satokatla drain.

The report said the CETP was pending for want of a proper site, adding that there was no arrangement to control air pollution. It said many units had installed power generators which caused noise and air pollution.

The report proposed that environment protection should be incorporated in academic syllabus and the Environment Act should be revised to send the cases to the Environmental Tribunal and environmental magistrates. It said the industrial units operating in residential areas should either be shifted or stern enforcement of laws should be ensured, adding that the environment laws lacked regulations for hazardous waste.

The report said the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) should hire consultants for the LCCI members on environmental issues, adding that cash awards and certificates should be given by the Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to industrialists observing environmental rules. It demanded an extra non-development budget of Rs 10 million should be allocated to the EPA to meet its operation and management cost and said all government departments should get prior approval from the EPA under Section 12 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act,1997, for all development projects before execution.

The Environment Department and authorities concerned should ensure effective implementation of laws, it said, adding that a public awareness campaign was needed to develop environment-friendly attitude in all walks of life.

Environment Department Deputy District Officer (DDO) Muhammad Younas Zahid told Aaj Kal that the CM had directed Anti-Corruption Establishment Punjab Director General (DG) Hassan Nawaz Tarar to compile a report on environment when he was Excise and Taxation secretary. Tarar visited the site and sent the report to the CM with observations and recommendations.

Illegal construction: The DDO said the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and the town municipal administration (TMA) concerned were responsible for allowing construction of industries in violation of the district master plan and the building by-laws.

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