MULTAN
The Environment Department has launched action against polluters as 450 cases have been sent to the Environment Tribunal by the local authorities. The action is initiated against smoke-emitting vehicles, brick kilns, hospitals, leather, intestine and plastic factories. The Environment Department sources said that the intestine, leather and plastic factories as well as brick kilns should be set up at a distance from residential areas but a number of intestine factories were functional on Ghausul Azam Road and Old Nawabpur Road. Similarly, dozens of plastic factories are working in highly populated urban areas. Sources revealed that notices were issued to the owners of all industries and  pollutants working in populated residential areas and they were asked to shift their outlets within three months or face the action.
The leather and intestine factories have polluted the sub-soil water in many areas and incidence of liver diseases like hepatitis and kidney failure have risen to an alarming level. However, the Environment Department has turned a blind eye towards these pollutants, allowing them to play the lives of people.
Meanwhile, the District Officer Environment Zafar Iqbal disclosed that cases were registered against 123 hospitals for spreading medical waste while 35 plastic factories were also booked. Similarly, cases against leather and intestine factories as well as brick kilns were also sent to the tribunal. He revealed that a joint squad comprising traffic wardens, motor vehicle examiner and inspector environment was deployed to take action against smoke emitting vehicles.