Islamabad, Oct 30: Smog Crisis Forces Lahore to Make Mask-Wearing Mandatory
Smog Crisis Because of the rising levels of air pollution in Lahore,
officials have mandated mask use on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The CM ordered all agencies to strictly enforce environmental standards and asked for rapid action to tackle the pollution situation.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb will keep an eye on the smog emergency measures.
Authorities recently sealed 469 polluting factories, detained over 2,500 automobiles
that were releasing excessive amounts of smoke and filed 318 formal complaints for burning crop residues in an effort to reduce pollution.
The senior minister said that citizens can report black smoke violations by calling 1373.
She announced clear targets for each department and zero tolerance for non-compliance.
Another is that reducing the average age, or stock, of more polluting vehicles over the long term is also relevant.
Solving a large portion of the problem could also be as simple as offering incentives to farmers to cease the practice of burning crop residues on fields.
Better ways are composting or plowing residues back into the soil instead of burning.
Natural removal of some pollutants could be achieved through increasing green spaces as well as tree cover within the towns.
Some effort from cities seeking to implement greenspace-oriented planning strategies has been positive.
The usage of private vehicle can be shift gradually through effectiveness of public transportation system.
The metro bus system being provided in Lahore may be a good beginning but increasing or, perhaps, strengthening transportation could be even beneficial.
There is always a role for public information and awareness campaigns to inform citizens about effects of certain activities such as trash burning,
as well as provide people the means with which to change their personal habits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
