Islamabad : As a part of zero-tolerance towards polluting brick kilns in the within Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), enforcement teams of the Pakistan-Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) conducted crackdown a targeted operation against non-compliant and polluting brick kilns in the H-16 and H-17 sectors of Islamabad, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination’s media spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh said here on Wednesday.
Sharing details of the operation against the environmentally-damaging brick kilns, the ministry official said that five brick kilns operating illegally without environmentally-friendly zigzag technology were sealed.
During the inspections, the Pak-EPA’s enforcement team found five brick kilns operating in active violation of environmental standards, which were issued prior warnings/directives. Despite repeated warnings, these operators failed to adopt the modern zigzag technology, which has been proven to substantially reduce emissions, said the media spokesperson Mr. Saleem added.
He said that before the crackdown, on-site notices were issued to the violators to shift to new zigzag technology or face legal proceedings under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997.
“The enforcement action was taken in response to multiple public complaints and prior field inspections by the Pak-EPA’s enforcement team, which found out that several kilns were still continuing to use outdated straight-fire technology, also known as Fixed Chimney Bull Trench Kilns (FCBTKs)”, he remarked.
FCBTKs is a traditional method of brick production, where bricks are arranged in a straight line for firing. This method is highly inefficient in terms of fuel consumption and energy efficiency, leading to high emissions. Zigzag technology, on the other hand, which is being promoted by Pak-EPA in ICT, involves arranging bricks in a zigzag pattern, which improves energy efficiency and reduces climate-altering emissions.
This traditional method is notorious for causing severe air pollution, environmental degradation, and multiple health hazards to surrounding communities, contributing significantly to smog and deteriorating air quality.
Pak-EPA Director General Nazia Zeb Ali highlighted the agency's stance against polluting traditional brick kilns operating in ICT, warning their owners to shift their kilns onto the zig-zag technology or face stern actions under the relevant environmental laws.
“The strict enforcement of environmental laws will continue and those violating them at any level would be taken to task,” the capital’s environmental watchdog head Nazia Zeb Ali remarked.
She reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy toward practices that harm public health and the environment at any level.
Pak-EPA Director General Nazia Zeb Ali emphasised that this operation is, in fact, a part of Pak-EPA’s ongoing efforts to combat air pollution and promote sustainable industrial practices throughout the Islamabad Capital Territory.