KP govt moves to control industrial emissions

PESHAWAR: There has been a noticeable change in the air quality in the Hayatabad Industrial Estate as the industries are now complying with environmental regulations, thanks to the KP government timely actions.

A press release said in pursuance of directives by Chief Secretary Kazim Niaz, a meeting was convened recently by the secretary, Forest, Environment, & Wildlife Department (FEWD) KP, in his office.
The FEWD secretary chaired the meeting. Other participants were the Environment Protection Agency director-general, relevant officials, those from Peshawar district administration and Khyber, representatives of the particleboard & steel mill owners, and members of the Sarhad Conservation Network.
The participants discussed the issue of extensive emissions of particulate matter and smoke from particleboard manufacturing units and steel mills in Hayatabad Industrial Estate and Shahkas area.
A complaint about poor and ‘hazardous air quality prevailing in certain parts of Hayatabad was lodged by the SCN in view of its adverse health impacts on the local residents.
The dusty and smoky air in this area is attributed to intense unabated emissions of smoke and particulate matter released into the atmosphere from the particleboard
and steel factories in the surroundings.
The EPA chief explained the background of the issue, the number of such units and apprised participants about the corrective measures had already been taken by the owners and others were in the pipeline.
Representatives of the particleboard manufacturing units and steel mills owners expressed willingness to improve their technology and control dust and smoke emissions.
After a detailed discussion, the FEWD secretary constituted a committee, comprising experts to visit all particleboard units, assess emission levels when these units are fully functioning and observe the impact of measures already taken.
The expert committee comprised Dr S Shafiqur Rehman, a former chairman, Department of Environmental Sciences, UoP, (from SCN), Dr Faisal Khan, Chief Precision Lab, RMI, Hayatabad, (SCN), Engr. Dr. Asif Khan, Asst. Prof. UET, Peshawar and Muhammad Irshad, Chief Analyst at the EPA.
The experts committee visited all five chipboard units, providing detailed observations and recommendations with a timeline to industries for compliance.
As a result, there was a perceptible change in air quality in Hayatabad Industrial Estate except for a few remaining units which were violating the environmental regulations.
Under the directive of chief secretary, Khyber deputy commissioner imposed a ban on all polluting industries in Shahkas and Jamrud area in November which resulted in improved air quality in the surrounding area, particularly in Hayatabad Township that had until recently, remained enveloped by toxic ambient air resulting in serious health problems for the residents.
The announcement to shift all marble industries from Warsak Road and Shabqadar to the recently established Momand Economic Zone is another step in the right direction aimed at controlling serious air emissions in Peshawar district.
The members of the civil society vying for a clean and green environment praised the KP government for all these positive steps.
However, they suggested that monitoring of vehicular emissions and imposing penalties should be pursued by the Department of Environment with a notice to the Transport Department, schools and colleges for compliance within a specific timeline.