LAHORE

The heart of Pakistan

By:

Muhammad Aleem

Background

Area 1772 Sq.Km

Population 7.2 million

Profile • Lahore - second largest city of Pakistan.

• Many historical monuments

• City is also known for its beautiful gardens mostly

laid down during Mughal Empire and British Raj.

Administration • The City District Government is headed by the City

Nazim.

• Assisted by District Coordination Officer (DCO) as

the Administrative head.

• Departments are grouped and placed under

Executive District Officers, who are subordinate to

the DCO .

Climate

Air Pollution

Water Contamination

Solid Waste Disposal

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Noise Pollution

Municipal Sewerage Waste Disposal

Vehicular EmissionsM

ain

So

urc

es

of

Air

Po

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tio

n

Ma

in S

ou

rce

s o

fA

ir

Po

llu

tio

nBurning of Municipal Solid Waste

Cottage/ Major Industrial PollutionM

ain

Sou

rces

of

Air

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n

Air Monitoring Data of Lahore March 2001

Parameter

Spot

NOx(ppb

PM10(Ug/m

3 )

SO2Ppb

CO ppm

NO2 ppb

Noisedb(A)

WHO/ USEPA

Standards- 150 50 09 107 65

Azadi Crossing

125 850 25 1 90

Qartaba Crossing

214 456 11 _ 58 82

Chauburji Crossing

58 430 4.7 3.1 41 _

Charring Crossing

328 1100 4.7 7.2 50 78

Based on 24 Hour Monitoring Source: EPA Punjab

Air Monitoring Data of Lahore, October 2004

Parameter

Spot

NOx

(ppb)

PM10

(Ug/m3)

SO2

Ppb

CO

ppm

NO2

ppb

Noise

db(A)

WHO/

USEPA

Standards

- 150 50 09 107 65

Azadi

Crossing

167 882 29 3 89 75

Qartaba

Crossing

192 640 47 3 67 82

Chauburji

Crossing

135 534 23 3.1 71 78

Charring

Crossing

321 963 41 7.3 71 78

Source: EPA Punjab

One Air Quality Monitoring Lab (Mobile) is available with the Punjab EPA.

Lack of Air Monitoring Equipment

No readily available data for the Air Quality

Most of the assessments are made on visual assessments

Winters are worse when smog and fog engulfs the city.

• Health Problems

– Bronchial Irritation

–Heart Problems

–Anemia

–Asthma

–Eye Irritation

–Reparatory Diseases

–Serious consequences relation to new born and unborn babies.

Lack of Awareness about the Environmental issues in general as well as the adverse affects of poor Air Quality and the Remedial measures amongst: General Public Politicians Vehicle OperatorsManagers

This Non- Awareness especially pertains to the Air Pollutants i.e. PM10, SO2, CO, NOx.

Absence of permanent monitoring facilities.

Lack of Political Will:

For the Enforcement of the Environmental Law

For the Sustainable Policy on the Environment

For Environment Friendly Projects

For priority based budgetary allocations to the Environment sector

More priority on the Infrastructure Development

Less or NO priority to the Sustainable Development Policies

No Environmental Impact Assessment for the major projects

Lack of proper Transport Policy

Weak coordination mechanism between various stake holders associated with Transport

Transport Policy/ guidelines which are not Environment friendly

One nuisance replaces another nuisance Tonga/ Horse carts were replaced by

Motorcycle rickshaws which have brought more nuisance and air pollution to the city.

Motor-cycle Rickshaw- Bigger Nuisance

Motor-cycle Rickshaw- Bigger Nuisance

Two Stroke Rickshaws are major

source of Vehicular Air Pollution

Transport Policy:

Motorcycle and Auto- Rickshaws are the

most Polluting and Unsafe

More Traffic on the Roads and still

NO PLANNING OR

PROPER POLICY

Major source of Vehicular Air Pollution No Policy to check the emission

of Two stroke vehicles No equipment for the annual

passing of the two stroke vehicles No investment has gone into the

fresh research of the two stroke manufacturers Local Manufacturers of Two

stroke rickshaws rely on old and obsolete technology.

No clear cut policy for the elimination of aging transport

Commuter Wagons and Buses over 20 years are still plying on the city roads

Vehicles still don’t meet environmental standards even in the presence of Motor Vehicle Examiners (MVEs).

No update of the knowledge

Lack of Vehicle Emission Testing Equipment

2000 2002 2003 2004

790790 867989

9.76%

increase

942553

8.5%

increase

1.1Million

14.3%

increase

•On average 10,000 vehicles are being registered

every Month

•Leasing Companies and Banks have played a major

role in the un-precedented increase in the vehicles

No Master Plan of the City in place.

Lack of land use planning leading to Haphazard urbanization

No Environmental Impacts Assessment for any housing scheme

Ill- planned commercial Centers

Non-sustainable policies

Monument and Building Degradation

Badshahi Mosque under threat

from the air pollution

There is little or no support from the NGOs or Private/ Civil Societies

Public Pressure is not present

Public interest is lacking

Due to lack of Standards proper implementation under PEPA 1997 is lackingPEPA-1997 at this stage is

not affective Air Quality Standards not

in placeAction is being taken

under section 61 of the Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2001On few occasions cases

under Pakistan Penal Code has also been registered with the Police.No legislation for MotorsNo dedicated courts

• The powers of the Act have not been delegated to the District level hence the whole procedure takes longer time.

•Environment Tribunal has been working but without the proper NEQS & Rules, no case has been decided as yet.

•Implementation of the Act and remedial measures take too long.

Section 61 states “Damaging or polluting physical environment, inside or outside private or public premises, in a manner to endanger public health”.One month

imprisonment and fine of up to Rs. 5,000 fine. In the last two years,

fine of over Rs.3.5 lacshas been collected from the polluting industry.

Getting any Environmental law implemented is the major hurdle for any remedial measures

In the absence of the Magistracy, Police has to play a role of implementation agency

BUTNo commitment has yet

been shown by the police in any

environmental field

Very less priority is given to the Environmental field in the financial sector

Few environment related projects are given funds

Over 85 stations have been given NOC in the last three years

CNG is in demand due to economic benefits.

Lack of policy guidelines from the Government.

City Government’s Response to the Problems-Steps Taken

Road Infrastructure

Introduction of Urban Franchised System

Raids at petrol Stations to check adulteration of both Oil and Petrol.

Periodic Campaigns against smoke emitting vehicles

Setting deadline for the banning of manufacturing of Two Stroke TOWN HALL

Installation of Air Monitoring Station

Air Quality Standards to be prescribed

Monitoring on regular basis

Proper Land use planning

Sustainable Urban Transport Planning

Stringent environmental Law to be promulgated

Dedicated staff and Courts for deterring the

punishments and Fines.

Way Forward

VEHICLES

Gradual induction of CNG buses

No new registration of two stroke engine vehicles

Roadworthy certificate mandatory for all vehicles

Stringent actions against smoke emitting vehicles

Introduction of FOUR stroke three wheelers

FUELS

Fuel Quality monitoring/ surveillance

Regular and stringent checking of petrol pumps for adulteration.

Campaign to promote CNG as an environmental friendly fuel

Introduction of low sulphur diesel.

IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE

Better network of roads and maintenance of damaged and unpaved roads

Improvement in existing traffic engineering and planning

Plantation of trees and green belts

Public Private Partnership in Air Quality ManagementHealth Impact Studies Comprehensive source apportionment studies Strengthening technical and institutional capacity Strengthening Air Quality Monitoring, Data Management and

Analysis Improve understanding of Emission Sources. Proper Legislation/ rules and Standards.

Way Forward…………………

Strict action against the burning of the Solid Waste

Strict action against Smoke Emitting Vehicles

Strict action against adulteration of Mobil oil.

Action against polluting Brick Kilns