Page 130 - Muzaffargarh Gazzetteer

Chapter 21

ENVIRONMENT

The office of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) was established in
Muzaffargarh in 2006 and was placed under the administrative control of the
EDO (Works & Services). It was headed by a District Officer then.
On January 1, 2017, with the change in administrative set-up of Punjab and
abolition of the office of the District Coordination Officer (DCO), the office
was placed under the administrative control of the Provincial Government. It
is now headed by an Assistant Director, who is assisted by 2 inspectors, 2
field assistants, and 6 other junior staff members.

The primary function of the EPA is to ensure the protection of environment.
With this aim in view, it undertakes a number of activities in the District,
brief details of which are as follows:
i. A total of 336 brick kilns existed in the district, and had been working
on old hazardous technology. In March 2018, a ban was placed by
the EPA on establishing brick kilns on this technology. Accordingly,
9 new kilns which were being made on old technology were sealed by
the EPA, and the legal action was initiated. One of these 9 kilns has
now got converted to the newer and safer Zig-Zag technology.
Similarly, 1 new kiln has been constructed on this technology
whereas 2 more are under construction. As part of the process of
converting the existing brick kilns to the new technology,
Environment Protection Orders (EPOs) have been issued to 154 brick
kilns by the EPA in 2019.
ii. The EPA is pursuing the sugar industry as well as the power plants
to install air pollution control devices and water treatment plants.
Accordingly, EPOs have been issued to Fatima Sugar Mills as well as
Sheikhoo Sugar Mills. Similarly, proceedings were also initiated
against the Tandlianwala Sugar Mills, Distillery Unit II.
iii. 52 inspections of various hospitals were carried out to check/ensure
that the hospital waste was being disposed of in the prescribed
manner. Notices were issued to 17 hospitals; EPOs/Directions were
issued to 13 hospitals; whereas 3 cases were referred to the
Environmental Magistrate.
iv. Around 500 vehicles were inspected up to 30th September 2019; 373
vehicles were fined on counts of smoke emission and/or noise
pollution, and a fine of Rs 98,800 had been collected accordingly.
v. 86 inspections/raids were conducted under the Punjab Prohibition
on Manufacture, Sale, Use and Import of Polythene Bags (black or

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