20000102

Action plan to improve

environment unveiled

ISLAMABAD: The Minister for Environment, Umar Asghar Khan, on Saturday unveiled an action plan to overcome the degrading environment in the country.

Addressing a press conference here, he said special Environmental Programmes and projects would be undertaken to control river and air pollution.

The campaign in this respect would be launched in collaboration with the members of NGOs, press and business communities to persuade people to keep their cities and villages clean, he said.

The Minister said that the department concerned at the federal and provincial levels would be involved in extending guidance and support to industry and civic agencies for effective enforcement of Environmental Protection Act, 1997.

The government, he said, would ensure that each ministry and department formulates separate plan to check environmental problem and adopt environment-friendly policies.

The following salient features of the action plan are:

Ñ Effective implementation of the ban on pressure horns.

Ñ Elimination of black polythene bags through effective enforcement.

Ñ Strict enforcement of ban on smoking in public places.

Ñ Effective supervision of municipal sanitary workers to ensure cleanliness in cities/towns.

Ñ Introduction of clean fuels in Pakistan through phase out of lead (in gasoline and sulphur in diesel).

Ñ Self-monitoring and reporting by industry to control pollution.

Ñ Enforcement and compliance of NEQ's.

Ñ Promotion of public transport.

Ñ Soft-term credit facilities for anti-pollution equipment and incentives for their use.

Ñ Mass awareness on adverse impacts of pesticides use on environment and health.

Ñ Promotion of organic farming and traditional agricultural practices, including dissemination of result/experience.

Ñ Strengthening system of management of national parks and protected areas management, including appointment of park managers etc. in a transport manner and on merit.

Ñ Integrated water and drainage policy (water conservation, water pricing and subsidies for dis-advantages groups).

Ñ Promote development of use of renewable energy resources such as solar energy.

Ñ Monitor and enforce environmental pollution of seas including regulation of deep-sea fishing.

Ñ Environment and Social Safe-guard Policy for all development projects, especially major projects.

Ñ Provision of LPG facilities in forested and remote regions of Pakistan.ÑAPP