Dr Zafar told the meeting that to improve environmental governance; the Punjab government approached the World Bank for support to address environmental challenges faced by the province. Sectary briefed that PGDP, the programme operation has been designed in the context of mounting environmental challenges like air, water and soil pollution in Punjab along with its continued economic growth.
He further briefed that PGDP will also help to control increasing emissions from industries, vehicles, power generation, and open trash and crop burning. The minister speaking on this occasion said unfortunately in some areas surface water and groundwater are seriously polluted due to agricultural and industrial wastewater. He hoped that PGDP will be helpful to resolve the issues related to air, water and soil pollution in Punjab. The minister directed the secretary EPD to launch a campaign on the social media to create awareness about the damage caused to the environment by the burning of solid waste and also launch a campaign regarding awareness among people about the prevention from smog.
Secretary EPD Dr Zafar, DG EPD Saida, Director Naeem and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.