EPD to give loans to industrial units for reducing hazardous emissions.

LAHORE -- The Environment Protection Department (EPD) will make all-out efforts to reduce the impact of industrial emissions on environment.

EPD Director Assessment Nasim-ur-Reman said in a talk with reporter on Thursday that with the help and cooperation of the Punjab government, Rs 2 billion had been allocated for giving loans to industrial units for installation of environmental emissions control systems. The loans would be given on the recommendations of the Punjab Small Industries Corporation, he added. The emissions control systems would be installed before the start of next smoggy weather condition, he added.

Nasim said that during the last smog period, the EPD squads sealed 586 smoke-emitting industrial units and Rs 35 million fine was imposed on them, collectively. He said that to avoid burning of wheat residue, farmers were also being provided with modern harvester, Hepper Seed, to discard crop residue, besides transfer of all brick-kilns to zig-zag technology were also being ensured.

Noted environmentalist, Mehmood Khalid Qamar, said that as a result of industrial emissions, the green-house gases had blanketed the Lahore metropolis and its suburbs. These toxic gases trap the sun's natural heat.

This situation is rapidly leading to global warming and climate change at a fast pace, he added.

Industrial waste and emissions were...