Punjab EPA Deploys Skimming Boat to Combat Plastic Pollution in Lahore Canal

LAHORE: The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced its first skimming vessel to tackle plastic waste in waterways, beginning operations in the Lahore Canal as part of a pilot initiative to address environmental pollution.

Equipped with a front-end waste collection bin, the boat aims to remove floating plastic debris from rivers and canals, supporting the province’s campaign against single-use plastics. Officials highlighted that the pilot project will evaluate the technology’s efficiency before potential expansion to other water bodies in Punjab.

The launch took place during a seminar in Lahore marking Plastic Bag Free Day, attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaqat and EPA Punjab Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh. Stakeholders, including government representatives, environmental experts, and civil society groups, gathered to reaffirm commitments to reducing plastic usage and promoting sustainability.

EPA officials reported significant progress in their anti-plastic campaign, with over 50,000 businesses pledging to avoid banned plastic bags. Enforcement teams have confiscated more than 600,000kg of prohibited plastics and levied fines exceeding Rs20 million on violators. Dr Sheikh emphasized the need for actionable measures to sustain momentum, stating that the campaign would be strengthened through technology-driven monitoring and stricter compliance mechanisms.

The initiative aligns with the Punjab Plastic Management Strategy 2023, which focuses on registering producers, sellers, and recyclers to build a sustainable plastic waste management system. Recent enforcement data from 2023 shows intensified efforts, including 3,612 inspections, 937,868kg of plastic seized, and 189 notices issued. However, officials acknowledged ongoing challenges in rural and peri-urban regions where plastic use persists.

Participants concluded the seminar by pledging collective responsibility for a plastic-free Punjab, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration. The skimming boat’s deployment marks a key milestone in efforts to protect waterways and enforce environmental regulations, with officials stressing that sustained action is crucial to overcoming persistent pollution challenges.

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