Vehicles pollution poses threats to living creatures; calls for VETS test
PESHAWAR (APP): The black smoke emitting by brickilns and tsunami of vehicles have exposed Peshawarities to different health hazards including chest, cough and others seasonal diseases.
Even the smoke of vehicles and brick kilns could be seen from a naked eye by visitors while passing through Firdus bazaar on main GT Road that necessitated shifting of bricks kilns from Peshawar peripheries and Vehicles Emission Testing Service (VETS) test of all vehicles especially old and unfit vehicles should be made mandatory.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transport Department official told APP that around one million cars in Peshawar play on roads daily and additional one lakh enter the city that was major cause of air pollution.
He said buses of majority of private schools were spreading pollution because it was misfit being over 50 years old.
The official said cutting of canopy trees and bulldozing of green built for construction of BRT corridor added to air pollution.
To address air pollution, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have joined hands to educate masses and students against this scourge.
EPA and IRC signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) to collaborate on initiatives of mutual interest across the province.
LoU was signed by Lubna Javaid Deputy Director Programs of IRC, and Muhammad Anwar Khan Director General, Environmental Protection Agency here at EPA Office.
This collaboration signifies the shared vision of both organizations to develop synergies aimed at fostering collaboration under the “Leveraging Inclusive and Climate Sensitive WASH for Empowerment” (LIFE Pakistan) project.
This partnership is a joint commitment for environmental sustainability, education, and community engagement.
Under the ambit of this partnership, EPA KP and IRC will work closely to pilot and subsequently institutionalize Green Clubs in government schools across the province.
These clubs will encourage students to actively participate in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts and engage them in plantation drives.
Similar Green campaigns will be rolled out at community level through a participatory approach lens where indigenous community practices will be leveraged upon for environmental sustainability.
At the policy level, EPA KP will support IRC in establishing inter-sectoral linkages between the community, private sector, and industries. This will encourage industries to engage in large-scale plantations and reduce their carbon footprints.
Moreover, IRC and EPA KP will hold collaborative awareness seminars focusing on uplifting of environmental quality in the province.
Muhammad Anwar, DG EPA, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, speaking on this occasion noted that the partnership between EPA KP & IRC will pave way for environmental protection, promoting planation and contributing to reduction in carbon footprint of the province.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lubna Javaid Deputy Director Programs IRC, stated, “IRC is delighted to join hands with EPA KP, in our shared commitment to protect communities facing climate vulnerabilities.
Through this collaboration, we aim to engage policy makers on the imminent discourse and likewise communities on safeguarding the environment.
She further noted that IRC is committed to strengthen resilience of communities by supporting the enhancement of capacity of government institutes.
The signing of this LOU marks an important milestone in the efforts of IRC and EPA KP to sensitize masses as well as the key decision makers.
Through the combined expertise, resources, and commitment of both agencies, the collaboration is expected to have a transformative impact on the lives of people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
