Chief Secretary Punjab Akbar Durrani on Saturday approved creation of an Rs250 million Punjab Environment Fund. The decision to establish the fund was taken at the meeting chaired by Chief Secretary to review smog control policy and tree plantation campaign in the province, here at Civil Secretariat.
The Environment Protection Department (EPD) had put forth the proposal to set up the fund with seed money of Rs250 million. The Chief Secretary told the meeting that as per direction of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, smog control policy has been posted at the website of EPD.
He directed all departments to submit their suggestions regarding the policy within two days. He opined that controlling environment pollution is a service to humanity. "Every citizen should take part in this initiative. There is need to work on emergent basis to overcome smog issue," he added.
The meeting decided to set target of planting 30 million saplings in the province in three months during the tree plantation campaign. The Chief Secretary ordered that tree plantation campaign in the province be launched like a competition. He said that top achievers in tree plantation would be awarded prizes at district, division and provincial level. He issued instruction to form committees at union council level to stop cutting of trees. He also asked the relevant authorities to launch a community mobilization and awareness campaign regarding controlling air pollution and benefits of afforestation.
The Secretary Environment Protection Department briefed the meeting about causes, and harms of smog, and recommendations of the Commission on controlling environment pollution. The meeting was attended by Chairman Planning and Development, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Additional Chief Secretary Home Department, secretaries of different departments including forest, education, health, finance, local government and community development, labour, industries and commerce, director general of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), chief metrologist and officers concerned.
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