Smog in Pakistan: a call for action!
Among the series of climate based disasters that Pakistan has been facing recently-the latest one comprises of smog. As a result, people have been tormented with serious health complications; including but not limited to cardiovascular problems, asthma exacerbation, respiratory disorders, skin allergies etc.
Blanketing of megacity Lahore, adjoining areas as well as parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by a sheet of smoky haze consisting of dangerous gases like SO2, NO2, PM2.5, PM2.10, ozone and volatile organic carbons has been a product of global change in climate conditions, transboundary movement of pollutants as well as negligence of government and public in fulfilling the chalked out environmental regulations. Urbanization, industrialization, motorization has not been kept in check and this has been topped up with recent city-uplift projects, leading to deforestation and dusty atmosphere.
Severe El Niño of 2015/2016 made this year a very warm one. In addition to this, miniscule movement of westerly winds to the central parts of Pakistan led to a dry spell. NASA imagery highlighted another major culprit for smog in Lahore: transboundary movement of thermal anomalies, probably from coal propelled industry and stubble burning in Indian parts of the Punjab to Pakistan.
This smog is a mayday call for implementing environmental laws and Pakistani government and public should take this incident very seriously and try to minimize it as best as they can. NO2 emissions coming across Indian border should be taken up as a serious issue with International agencies. India ought to compensate Pakistan for pollution abatement as well as try to exercise pollution control as Delhi is itself facing severe smog issue.
Policy revamp and strict environmental accountability should be enforced. Fines should be strictly levied on the vehicles and industries violating the set limits. Daily environmental metrics should be available to the public so that they make informed decisions. Mass transit should be urged as well as greening of urban areas. Establishment of early warning system, effective waste management, water sprinkling and innovative solutions like smog-tower filters should be set up for achieving sustainable development.
Blanketing of megacity Lahore, adjoining areas as well as parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by a sheet of smoky haze consisting of dangerous gases like SO2, NO2, PM2.5, PM2.10, ozone and volatile organic carbons has been a product of global change in climate conditions, transboundary movement of pollutants as well as negligence of government and public in fulfilling the chalked out environmental regulations. Urbanization, industrialization, motorization has not been kept in check and this has been topped up with recent city-uplift projects, leading to deforestation and dusty atmosphere.
Severe El Niño of 2015/2016 made this year a very warm one. In addition to this, miniscule movement of westerly winds to the central parts of Pakistan led to a dry spell. NASA imagery highlighted another major culprit for smog in Lahore: transboundary movement of thermal anomalies, probably from coal propelled industry and stubble burning in Indian parts of the Punjab to Pakistan.
This smog is a mayday call for implementing environmental laws and Pakistani government and public should take this incident very seriously and try to minimize it as best as they can. NO2 emissions coming across Indian border should be taken up as a serious issue with International agencies. India ought to compensate Pakistan for pollution abatement as well as try to exercise pollution control as Delhi is itself facing severe smog issue.
Policy revamp and strict environmental accountability should be enforced. Fines should be strictly levied on the vehicles and industries violating the set limits. Daily environmental metrics should be available to the public so that they make informed decisions. Mass transit should be urged as well as greening of urban areas. Establishment of early warning system, effective waste management, water sprinkling and innovative solutions like smog-tower filters should be set up for achieving sustainable development.
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