PU to set up study group to tackle pollution in Punjab

LAHORE

Punjab University’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran Tuesday announced setting up pollution study group in order to combat environmental challenges faced by the province. 

He made this announcement while speaking at a national seminar “Smog: Formation, Impacts & Mitigation” organised by Punjab University College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES) in collaboration with SEAL at Al Raazi Hall. 

Principal CEES Prof Dr Sajid Rashid, Head of Satellite Monitoring Group Suparco Shoaib Shafiq, renowned environmental law expert Ahmed Rafay Alam, Meteorological office’s Duty Forecasting Officer Syed Pervaiz Hussain Shah, various environmentalists, faculty members and a large number of students were present on the occasion. 

Dr Mujahid Kamran said research on environment was being carried out at various departments of Punjab University and scientists and students from various departments would be included in this group. He said we had already set up dengue research group which made several predictions which helped the government and the people to curb dengue. He said according to various satellite pictures taken by Nasa, crops were burnt at large scale in Indian Punjab along with coal which created environmental hazard for Pakistan. He said if we gather relevant proofs in this regard, a case could be filed against India in international courts. 

Dr Sajid Rashid highlighted the history of smog. He said research work was being carried out at the college on various environmental changes. He said Lahore and surroundings had to face smog in December because India was creating environmental problems for Pakistan. 

Ahmed Rafay Alam, citing judgments and relevant laws, said courts had played role in environment protection. He said international environmental laws were very strict and we could file case against India’s role in the recent smog if we had solid evidences. 

Shoaib Shafiq highlighted difference between smoke, cloud, fog and smog through satellite images and briefed about instruments being used by Suparco. 

Syed Pervaiz Hasan highlighted reasons and implications of smog. Aleem Butt said coal was being used for meeting most of Indian energy needs and India was behind the smog. Muhammad Sohaib Tahir gave presentation regarding types and elements of air pollution.

LWMC drive: In collaboration with the students of a private university, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) organised a massive drive titled Clean and Green Day on Tuesday. 

LWMC officials said the activity was organised to sensitise students about the need of environment-friendly Solid Waste Management System in the city and role of youth in its successful implementation. They said the university students were briefed in detail about their role to maintain cleanliness inside and outside campus emphasising the need for ensuring disposal of garbage into designated containers and bins by every citizen.

Drive was comprised of interactive session with students in the university auditorium followed by plantation, camping, waste picking and machinery demonstration. While taking part in waste picking activity held both by university students and LWMC team, Ghazi Alam, professor Management Sciences Department, thanked communication department of LWMC for holding such a grand drive with Clean and Green theme and motivating his students on environmental and sanitation issue of very high importance and most importantly by setting good example in the field of waste management. Muhammad Umair Khan, deputy manager communication, termed the activity as highly fruitful as many university students prepared art pieces for highlighting need of three RS (reduce, reuse, recycle ) strategy, segregation at source and disposal of waste following standard instructions practices.

bins: In order to maintain good sanitation conditions, Albayrak Waste Management Company started installation of waste bins in Shalamar Bagh here Tuesday. 

Officials said the drive was started in October 2016 and its first phase was completed on Tuesday. They said in the second phase, bins will be installed at the second terrace of garden named “Faiz Bakhsh”. 

Shalamar Bagh administration appraised the efforts of Albayrak Waste Management and thanked the company for erecting awareness boards in the upper terrace of the garden. The activity aimed to create awareness among the visitors to keep the historical places neat and litter-free. The campaign will continue until the waste bin installation in whole garden is completed, the officials concluded.