EPA to use drones to identify pollution hotspots

LAHORE:Punjab Environment DG Imran Hamid has established Pakistan's first Aerial Surveillance Company (ASC) after which the department will now conduct drone surveillance.

The aerial surveillance company was created under the Hawk Eye project of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which handed over thermal technology-equipped drones to the staff of the EPA’s GIS wing and started working in the field.

According to DG Imran Hamid, the aerial surveillance company will report environmentally hostile industry and other elements and will also cross-check the working of the EPA’s field staff.

E-mapping of all industries and kilns has been started through the drones across the province, the DG said, adding in its first sting operation, the GIS staff found three pyrolysis plants operating in the Mehmood Booti area of Lahore and an immediate report was submitted to the DG Environment, after which an explanation was sought from the Lahore field office. The GIS team also reported hundreds of carbon sacks in 4 industries and an empty plot.

Under the terms of reference (TORs), the ASC will conduct aerial surveillance visits to identify pollution hotspots throughout Punjab, the ASC will gather actionable information for the EPA to enforce environmental regulations and mitigate pollution, the Operational Head will be responsible for uploading the detailed surveillance report on Given Google Form, generated and maintained at Strategy and Analysis Wing (SAW) within twenty-four (24) hours of completing each mission and the Incharge SAW shall brief the Director General, EPA Punjab about the said surveillance report and subsequent actions taken in the field, on daily basis.