The Punjab government has allocated Rs 190 million for environment sector in budget 2014-15 for five new and five ongoing schemes, sources told Business Recorder. The Punjab government has also planned to accomplish the establishment of "Biodiversity Park" in Murree during 2014-15, sources added. Sources claim that the development of Biodiversity Park in collaboration with city/district governments will not only help in conserving the endangered species but would also create awareness among the masses for conservation and protection of biodiversity.
Sources reveal that the Environment Protection department (EPD) has envisaged commencement of a number of new interventions during 2014-15. The notable ones are to establish benchmarking of major environmental parameters in the province of Punjab. This data will enable the scientists and policy makers to gauge the changes in environmental resources like air, land and water. The industrial and municipal waste water are being thrown untreated/unchecked in river, drains and canals of Punjab.
In order to ascertain the feasible options for treatment of wastewater, a study will be undertaken during this financial year 2014-15 to prioritise the most feasible treatment option for Hudiara drain. Similarly, the evaluation of water quality and characterisation of industrial effluents in the province will also be conducted. The review, rationalisation and revision of environmental laws, rules, regulations and PEQS will be done during 2014-15, sources added.
During 2013-14, it may be recalled that revised allocation of Rs 54 million was provided to the environment sector. The EPD utilised Rs 47 million against the available funding of Rs 54 million. The major initiatives during FY 2013-14 included establishment of monitoring system in Punjab, which assisted EPD to estimate and assess the environmental parameters in different districts.
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