1

Editor
Faiza Sharif
Director, Sustainable Development Study Centre
Government College University Lahore

Review, Production and Coordination

Samia Saleem
Project Director, Strategic Planning & Implementation Unit (SPIU), EPD

Contributing Authors
Anber Raheel, Director (Environmental Policy & Planning), SPIU, EPD
Asim Rehman, Deputy Director (Environmental Planning Expert), SPIU, EPD
Rabeya Yasmeen, Deputy Director (Environmental Policy Expert), SPIU, EPD
Sughra Kashif, Deputy Director (Social Safeguards Specialist), SPIU, EPD
Khurram Waqas Malik, Deputy Director (Environmental Economist), SPIU, EPD

Citation
Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab (2023). Punjab State of the Environment Report 2022.
Strategic Planning and Implementation Unit, Punjab Green Development Program, Environment
Protection Department, Government of the Punjab, Pakistan.
https://epd.punjab.gov.pk/soe/

2
DISCLAIMER
This “Punjab State of Environment Report, 2022” is published for the first time and is based on
limited primary data. Therefore, a significant portion of the information relies on secondary
sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, errors, and omissions are
expected. Readers are advised to exercise caution and cross-reference information with
additional reliable sources.

3
 MESSAGE
SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT
I am pleased to present Punjab's State of Environment
(SOE) Report for the year 2022, marking a significant
milestone in fulfilling one of the key responsibilities of
the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab, as
mandated by the Punjab Environmental Protection Act,
1997 (PEPA) under section 6(1)(d).

This report provides a comprehensive assessment

of our local environment and covers a wide range
of environmental indicators, including air and water
quality, soil health, waste management, pollution
control, and related plans and initiatives. At present, our
region is grappling with a challenging environmental
situation, characterized by imminent resource scarcity and associated issues such as health
concerns, food security, mobility, and socioeconomic hardships. In this context, the report
serves as a valuable tool, offering evidence-based insights into our environmental status and
facilitating effective management and remedial actions. Through rigorous analysis of primary
and secondary data, it highlights critical environmental challenges that demand immediate
attention and proposes appropriate mitigation measures.

The report also outlines the noteworthy accomplishments of the Environment Protection
Department (EPD). We have undertaken significant policy and regulatory reforms to support
our goals, including the establishment of a Health Advisory System for critical air pollution
events, and notification of Provincial Review of IEE/EIA Regulations, 2022, among others.
Additionally, we have taken important steps to enhance environmental governance, such as
anti-smog campaigns, establishment of the EPD Control Room, initation of deployment of
real-time state-of-the-art air and water quality monitoring stations, and the creation of the
Environmental Endowment Fund (EEF).

While the report highlights some encouraging findings, it also underscores areas of concern
that require immediate attention. To achieve a more favourable outlook, it is imperative that we
expedite the implementation of the actions outlined in the Environmental Action Plan.

Looking ahead, the department envisions regular publication of the future state of environment
reports. By learning from the gaps identified in this report and undertaking appropriate
interventions to address them, the EPD aims to progressively report an improved state of the
environment in the province over time.

Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan

Secretary to the Government of the Punjab
Environment Protection Department
June 8th, 2023

4
MESSAGE
DIRECTOR GENERAL, EPA
I am happy to share the first ever State of the Environment
Report for the Punjab. I feel elevated on fulfilling a legal
obligation which requires to prepare and publish State
of the Environment Report under Section 6(1)(d) of the
Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997.

The Government of the Punjab is much sensitized of the

challenges and long-lasting impacts of environmental
degradation and is putting significant efforts to integrate
the environmental aspects into all kinds of development
interventions. There is a need to make more efforts to
sensitize maximum population in order to ensure an all-
inclusive environmental action in the province.

In this report, chapter one provides methodology for analysis and preparation of State of the
Environment Report. The chapter two gives an account of ambient air quality in Lahore and
snapshot of air quality in Divisional Headquarters of Punjab augmented by Satellite based
monitoring of atmospheric trace gases and monitoring of industrial and vehicular emissions.
The chapter three gives an insight into water quality, both ground and surface, along with
monitoring of industrial liquid effluents. The chapter four and five deals with soil quality and its
assessment and environmental performance of waste water treatment plant and solid waste
management facilities. Chapter two to chapter four also contains the regulatory framework.
Chapter six signifies the measures taken to control pollution and improve environmental
quality. Chapter seven briefly descries the environment complaints redressal procedure and
action taken. The stakeholder consultation and public feedback is also present at chapter
eight. The Environmental Action Plan at chapter nine deals with the future interventions to be
required for the next three years.

The publication of State of the Environment Report is one of the major steps to educate and
aware major stakeholders about the current state of environmental factors in the province. This
report is based on primary and secondary data and efforts have been made to provide holistic
scenario about all important environmental components. Being first ever state of environment
report, it may contain certain errors & omissions.

EPA Punjab looks forward for a regular publication of its State of the Environment Report
in future and expects positive payback for making improvements in the next State of the
Environment in upcoming years.

Zaheer Abbas
Director General
Environmental Protection Agency, Punjab
June 8th, 2023

5
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We are pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural report on the state of the environment
in Punjab. This report is the result of meticulous efforts by a dedicated team of technical
experts with extensive field experience, drawing upon insights from institutional knowledge,
stakeholder consultations, and public feedback.

The unwavering support and facilitation provided by the EPD and EPA throughout this
endeavour have been indispensable. Without their constant assistance, the completion of
this report would have been exceedingly challenging. We would like to express our profound
appreciation for the continuous support and motivation provided by the Secretary, EPD. His
encouragement has been instrumental in our success. This task would never be achievable
without active participation of Director General, EPA. We are grateful to him for continuously
guiding his staff for the timely completion of these tasks.

Additional Secretary of the EPD Samia Saleem led a committee to oversee the activities and
ensure timely preparation and publication of the state of the environment report. Under
her leadership and guidance, the committee, consisting of esteemed individuals such as Dr.
Amir Farooq, Director (Planning and Coordination) of the EPA, Dr. Anber Raheel, Director
(Environment Policy & Planning) of the Strategic Planning and Implementation Unit (SPIU),
Noor Ahmad, Director (Monitoring Laboratory & Implementation), Farooq Alam, Deputy
Director (Lab) of the EPA, Asim Rehman, Deputy Director (Environmental Planning Expert)
of the SPIU, Ms. Azmat Naz, Deputy Director (Information and Services) of the EPA, Dr. Shazia
Pervaiz, Deputy Director (Technical) of the EPA, and Ms. Ahad Khan, Deputy Program Manager
(Program Coordination Unit-PGDP), of Planning & Development Board, worked tirelessly to
ensure the successful completion of this task.

The administrative and technical support from Muhammad Tahir, Deputy Secretary (Technical)
of the EPD, and Dr. Sana Bashir, Section Officer (Technical) of the EPD, was invaluable in the
successful completion of this report. Furthermore, we also acknowledge the dedicated field
officers of the EPA who made remarkable contributions by providing field-level data and
information as needed.

We would also like to acknowledge several key government departments who collaborated
with us through consultations and the provision of data and analyses. We would like to express
our gratitude to the Excise, Taxation & Narcotics Control Department, Industries, Commerce,
Investment & Skills Development Department, and Irrigation Department of the Government
of Punjab, as well as associated public sector entities including the Pakistan Meteorological
Department (PMD), Pakistan Space and Upper Atmospheric Commission (SUPARCO), Pakistan
Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA)
Faisalabad, WASA Gujranwala, WASA Lahore, WASA Rawalpindi, The Urban Unit, and Ayub
Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, for their facilitation regarding data provision.

6
The SPIU, under the adept guidance of the Project Director, played an instrumental role in
overseeing the effective completion of the State of Environment report. The Environmental
Planning & Policy Cluster of the SPIU, led by Dr. Anber Raheel, Director (Environment Policy &
Planning), devoted key resources to lead this endeavour professionally. The contribution of Mr.
Shakir Abbas, Assistant Director (Geographic Information System), in preparing GIS maps and
graphs, and further developing a database for data entry was exceptional. Mr. Usman Azhar
(Assistant Director, Environment Expert) helped in acquisition of data pertaining to inspections
carried out by EPA and data on soil quality. We extend our gratitude to the support staff,
particularly Hafiz Umer Daraz (computer operator) and Muhammad Adnan Mushtaq (Office
Secretary), for their valuable assistance in data entry and other tasks. Additionally, Asif Iqbal,
Director (Admin Finance & Procurement), ensured the smooth provision of logistical support
to the team.

This report would not have been possible without the concerted and gracious support of all the
stakeholders mentioned above.

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 TABLE OF
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
1 Overview 21
1.1 Mainstay for state of environment report 21
1.2 Purpose of report 21
1.3 Methodology 21
1.4 Driver- Pressure- State- Impact- Response- Framework 21
1.5 Limitations in reporting 21
2 Environment 23
2.1 Eco system services and human wellbeing 23
2.2 Punjab at a glance 23
3 Management 23
3.1 Strengthening institutional capacities and adopting an integrated 30
approach to environmental management 30
3.2 Context to protecting Punjab’s environment 31
4. Environmental quality assessment 31

2 AIR QUALITY
1 Overview 34
1.1 Air quality and society 34
2 Environment 34
2.1 Ambient air quality and AQI 34
2.2 Snapshot of air quality of nine divisional headquarters of Punjab 36
(excluding Lahore)
2.3 Air quality of Lahore 36
2.4 Satellite based monitoring of atmospheric trace gases 38
2.5 Monitoring of industrial emissions and vehicular registration 40
3 Overall assessment 44
4 Management 44
4.1 Regulatory framework 44
5 DPSIR framework 44
6 The Way forward 47

3 WATER QUALITY
1 Overview 49
2 Environment 52
2.1 Surface water resources 52
2.2 Surface water quality 52
2.3 Ground water resources 57
2.4 Ground water quality 57
2.5 Drinking water quality of Punjab 58
3 Overall assessment 64
4 Management 64
4.1 Regulatory framework 64
4.2 Water quality management practices 65
5 DPSIR framework 66
6 The Way forward 67

4 SOIL QUALITY
1 Overview 69
2 Environment 71
2.1 Assessment of soil quality 71
3 Overall assessment 79
4 Management 79
5 DPSIR framework 80
6 The Way forward 82
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TABLE OF
CONTENTS
5 WASTE WATER TREATMENT AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
FACILITIES
1. Overview 84
1.1 Industrial waste water treatment facility 84
1.2 Solid waste management in Punjab 86
2 Environmental performance of waste water treatment facilities 88
2.1 Overall assessment 89
3 Environment performance of solid waste management facilities 90
3.1 Landfills/ dumpsites 90
3.2 Incineration facilities 93
3.3 Solid waste management index 95
3.4 Overall assessment 97
4 DPSIR framework 98
5 The Way forward 99

6 MEASURES TAKEN TO CONTROL POLLUTION

1 Overview 101
2 Measures taken to control pollution 101
2.1 Anti smog campaigns 101
2.2 Anti smog squads 103
2.3 Establishment of control room 103
2.4 Android based complaint line 103
2.5 Hospital waste management 104
3 Measures taken to improve environmental quality 104
3.1 Tree plantation 104
3.2 Punjab green development program 105
3.3 Regulatory and institutional reforms 105
4 Other measures 107
5 The Way forward 107

7 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLAINT REDRESSAL

1 Overview 109
2 Grievance redressal mechanism 109
3 Nature of complaints 110
4 Regulatory measures 110
4.1 Details of FIRs 113
4.2 Details of units sealed 113
4.3 Details of fine imposed 113
5 The Way forward 114

8 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION & PUBLIC FEEDBACK

1 First Round – on proposed content 116
1.1 Key findings on draft report (07.11.2022) 116
2 Key findings on draft report (27.04.2023) 117
2.1 The Key findings 118
2.2 Response of environment protection department

9 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN

1 Overview 120
2 Responsibilities 123

ANNEXURES 127
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 LIST OF TABLES PAGE NO.

Table 2-1 Color illustration and information of AQI 34

Table 2-2 Annual average concentration of trace gases measured by satellite-based 38
sensors
Table 2-3 EPA laboratories with their area of jurisdiction 42
Table 3-1 Water and sanitation service indicators of WASA in four major cities of 62
Punjab
Table 3-2 Housing units by source of drinking water (17 million households as per 2017 62
census)
Table 3-3 Characteristics of drinking water sources for consumption (PCRWR, 2020) 63
Table 4-1 Initiatives taken by the government departments in Punjab for soil 79
management
Table 5-1 Features of study area 90
Table 5-2 Comparison of average values of various parameters of liquid effluent before 89
and after treatment in WWTPs
Table 6-1 Actions taken by EPD Punjab against Smoke Emitting facilities during 2022 102
Table 6-2 Actions taken by EPD Punjab against Smoke Emitting Vehicles during 2022 102
Table 6-3 Activities of Tree Plantation 105
Table 9-1 Interventions and sub-interventions of the Environmental Action Plan 122
Table 9-2 Timeline to complete/initiate sub-interventions of Environmental Action Plan 123
Table 9-3 Environmental Action Plan 123

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LIST OF FIGURES PAGE NO.

Figure 1-1 DPSIR Framework used in the Report 22

Figure 1-2 Ecosystem services for wellbeing of human and other species 23
Figure 1-3 The trend of population growth in Pakistan 24
Figure 1-4 Land use Map of Punjab 24
Figure 1-5 Land-use in Punjab 25
Figure 1-6 Irrigated and Un-irrigated Land in Punjab (Thousand Hectares) 26
Figure 1-7 Division wise distribution of Reserved Forest area (%) in Punjab 26
Figure 1-8 Map of forested areas in the Punjab province 26
Figure 1-9 Wildlife Conservation Facilities in Punjab Pakistan 27
Figure 1-10 Industry and Economic Hubs of the province Punjab 28
Figure 1-11 Average rise in minimum and maximum temperatures (1975-2005) 29
Figure 1-12 Rainfall Trends in Punjab (2016-2020) 29
Figure 1-13 Timeline of major environmental events of Punjab province during 2022 30
Figure 1-14 Need for adopting an integrated management approach to solve environ- 31
mental issues
Figure 1-15 Environmental Quality Assessment Scale 32
Figure 2-1 Monitoring locations and AQI values in nine cities of Punjab in 2022 36
Figure 2-2 Monitoring locations and average AQI values in Lahore during 2022 37
Figure 2-3 Continuous monitoring of AQI (PM2.5) in Lahore during 2022 37
Figure 2-4 Number of days and AQI (PM2.5) levels in Lahore for 2022 38
Figure 2-5 Trend of AQI-PM 2.5 between 2019 and 2022 in Lahore 39
Figure 2-6 Annual average concentration of CO (mmol/m ) 2
39
Figure 2-7 Annual average concentration of NO2 (mmol/m ) 2
40
Figure 2-8 Locations of the industries in Punjab 41
Figure 2-9 Division-wise count of the industries 41
Figure 2-10 Monitoring of industrial emissions of CO (mg/Nm ) 3
42
Figure 2-11 Monitoring of industrial emissions of NOx (mg/Nm ) 3
43
Figure 2-12 Monitoring of industrial emissions of PM2.5 (mg/Nm ) 3
43
Figure 2-13 DPSIR of Air Quality in Punjab 47
Figure 3-1 Challenges to water resources in Punjab 49
Figure 3-2 Sources of water pollution 50
Figure 3-3 Rural urban difference in the drinking water and sanitation indicators of 51
Punjab (Source: Government of Punjab 2019)

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 Figure 3-4 Irrigation and river network of Punjab 52
Figure 3-5 Average monthly flows of rivers in Punjab (MAF) 52
Figure 3-6 Surface water quality of rivers and drains in Punjab 55
Figure 3-7 Effluent characteristics of various industries operating in Punjab 57
Figure 3-8 Sampling locations of shallow and deep groundwater in Punjab 57
Figure 3-9 Level of (a) alkalinity, (b) Turbidity and (c) Arsenic in the groundwater sam- 58
ples
Figure 3-10 Microbial quality of shallow and deep groundwater in Punjab 59
Figure 3-11 Water quality of the shallow and deep groundwater in Punjab 60
Figure 3-12 Level of NO -N and TDS in the groundwater of Punjab
3-
61
Figure 3-13 Drinking water quality of the major cities of Punjab 63
Figure 3-14 DPSIR framework of water quality in Punjab 66
Figure 4-1 Land use land cover of the province Punjab 69
Figure 4-2 Sources of contaminants in soil 70
Figure 4-3 Sources of heavy metals contamination in soil 70
Figure 4-4 pH (a) and EC (b) in three soil types of selected districts in Punjab 71
Figure 4-5 Soil fertility status of different soil types in Punjab 73
Figure 4-6 Heavy metal concentration in different soil types in Punjab 75
Figure 4-7 Infiltration rates in the surface layers of Potwar (a); and Doabs region (b) 77
Figure 4-8 Variation of soil moisture in Potwar (left) and Doabs (right) region 77
Figure 4-9 Soil texture classes in Potwar (top) and Doab region (bottom) 78
Figure 4-10 DPSIR framework of soil quality in Punjab 82
Figure 5-1 Wastewater Treatment Plants in Punjab, Pakistan 84
Figure 5-2 District-wise distribution of WWTPs in Punjab 85
Figure 5-3 Industry-Wise Distribution of WWTPs in Punjab 85
Figure 5-4 Comparison of percentage of MSW generation contributed by 36 districts 86
in Punjab
Figure 5-5 District-wise comparison of hospital waste collection in Punjab (%) 87
Figure 5-6 District-wise comparison of incineration capacity in Punjab (%) 88
Figure 5-7 Results of leachate analyses in study area 91
Figure 5-8 Results of Soil Analyses in study area (values compared with USEPA Stan- 92
dards for soil quality)
Figure 5-9 Results of Ambient Air Quality Analyses at landfill sites located in study 93
area

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Figure 5-10 Leachate score of four cities 94
Figure 5-11 Stack emissions score of four cities 95
Figure 5-12 Ambient Air score of four cities 95
Figure 5-13 Soil Analysis score of four cities 96
Figure 5-14 Ash Analysis score of four cities 96
Figure 5-15 Total Score of four cities 97
Figure 5-16 DPSIR framework 98
Figure 6-1 Timeline of actions taken by EPD during the year 2022 101
Figure 6-2 Anthropogenic factors mainly contributing to smog formation 101
Figure 6-3 Number of inspections of smoke-emitting sources in Punjab during CY 102
2022
Figure 6-4 Actions taken by other departments to curb smog in Punjab 103
Figure 6-5 District wise number of trees planted during 2022 104
Figure 6-6 Number of trees planted during Green Week 105
Figure 7-1 Legal framework for the processing of complaint through grievance re- 110
dressal mechanism
Figure 7-2 Total number of complaints registered in 36 districts of Punjab 111
Figure 7-3 District Wise Environmental Complaints (Sources & Categorization 111
Figure 7-4 Complaints received in different categories 112
Figure 7-5 Action Taken against complaints (January-December, 2022) 112
Figure 7-6 Detail of FIRs lodged in Punjab against environmental issues 113
Figure 7-7 Detail of Units sealed upon complaints in Punjab 113
Figure 7-8 Fine imposed against complaints (January-December, 2022) 114
Figure 8-1 Public Hearing on 07.11.2022 117
Figure 8-2 Participant commenting in Public Hearing on 07.11.2022 117
Figure 8-3 Public Hearing on 27.04.2023 (Registration Desk) 118
Figure 8-4 Public Hearing on 27.04.2023(Interactive session) 118
Figure 8-5 Public Hearing on 27.04.2023 (Interactive session) 118
Figure 8-6 Public Hearing on 27.04.2023(Group Photo) 118
Figure 9-1 Role of organizations/ departments in Environmental Action Plan 122
Figure 9-2 Distribution of Environmental Action Plan in Short-Term, Medium-Term 122
and Long-Term goals

13
 LIST OF ACRONYMS

ADP Annual Development Program

AQI Air Quality Index

AQMS Air Quality Monitoring Stations

BOD5 Biological Oxygen Demand

BTK Bull's Trench Kiln Technology

BRBD Bambanwala-Ravi-Bedian-Depalpur Canal

CGP Clean Green Pakistan

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

CY Calendar Year

DCAPEC District Critical Air Pollution Events Committee

DHQ Divisional Headquarter

DLI Disbursement Linked Indicator

DPSIR Drivers, Pressures, State, Impacts and Responses

EAs Environmental Approvals

EC Electrical Conductivity

EEA European Environment Agency

EEF Environment Endowment Fund

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EMC Environmental Monitoring Centre

EPA Environment Protection Agency

EPC Environmental Policy Centre

EPD Environment Protection Department

ETC Environmental Technology Centre

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

FIR First Investigation Report

GAINS Greenhouse gas air pollution interaction and synergies

GCISC Global Change Impact Studies Centre

GHG Greenhouse gases

GoP Government of the Punjab

HAS-CAPEs Health Advisory System for Critical Air Pollution Events

HQ Head quarter

IEE Initial Environmental Examination

IOD Indian Ocean Dipole

LG & CD Local Government & Community Development

LWMC Lahore Waste Management Company

MAF Million Acre Feet

MCs Municipal Corporations

MEAs Multilateral Environmental Agreements

MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

MOCC Ministry of Climate Change

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MSW Municipal Solid Waste

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

PAD Program Appraisal Document

PAK-EPA Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency

PCRWR Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources

PDMA Provincial Disaster Management Authority

PEPA Pakistan Environmental Protection Act

PEPC Punjab Environmental Protection Council

PEQS Punjab Environment Quality Standards

PERI Provincial Environmental Reference Lab

PET Punjab Environmental Tribunal

PGDP Punjab Green Development Program

PITB Punjab Information Technology Board

PM Particulate Matter

PMD Pakistan Meteorological Department

PSDF Punjab Sustainable Development Fund

RECP Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production

ROF Right of Way

SPIU Strategic Planning & Implementation Unit

LWMC Lahore Waste Management Company

GWMC Gujranwala Waste Management Company

FWMC Faisalabad Waste Management Company

SWMC Sialkot Waste Management Company

BWMC Bahawalpur Waste Management Company

MWMC Multan Waste Management Company

RWMC Rawalpindi Waste Management Company

TSS Total Suspended Solids

TDS Total Dissolved Solids

PEQS Punjab Environmental Quality Standards

UC Unburnt Carbon

SPM Suspended Particulate Matter

CO Carbon Monoxide

PM2.5 Particulate Matter ≤ 2.5 µm

PM10 Particulate Matter ≤ 10 µm

NO Oxides of Nitrogen

CY Calendar Year

NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations

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 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Punjab State of Environment Report, 2022 is the first-ever report published in over 25 years.
Publication of this report provides a comprehensive assessment of the conditions of various
aspects of the environment such as air, water, soil, wastewater and solid waste management
in Punjab. It aims to inform policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public about the
environmental conditions, their implications for human well-being and deciding way forward
in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Population growth, rapid urbanization and
industrialization in the Province are deteriorating the quality of air, water (surface and ground)
and soil with heaps of solid waste accumulating in the megacities. The report highlights a
number of environmental challenges viz; pollution abatement, halting land degradation and
deforestation and tackling climate change that require immediate attention in Punjab.

In Punjab 56% of total geographical area is cultivated, which is mainly attributed to its rich,
fertile alluvial soils and extensive irrigation system. Punjab is providing over 68% of the national
annual yield of food grains and is known as the bread basket of Pakistan. Punjab has a great
diversity of forest reserves, protected areas, biodiversity, rivers and canals network, alluvial
plains, coal and mineral resources that make up significant contributions to the economy
of Pakistan. The strategic location of the Province, its fertile agricultural land and its well-
developed infrastructure make it the economic hub of the country.

Punjab is the most populous province in the country and therefore state of the environment
in the province holds significant importance in deciding the economic growth of the country.
Proliferating human population and the intensified demand for resource consumption and
production have resulted in deteriorated environmental conditions in the Province. Punjab is
facing the consequences of climate change at a faster pace. Over the past 30 years (1975–2005),
the minimum temperature of Punjab has increased by 0.97°C and the maximum temperature
by 1.14°C, putting it on the list of most vulnerable regions to climate change. Increased intensity
of floods, droughts and heat waves are the direct outcomes of climate change and it is also
making the national food security vulnerable. In 2022 Punjab experienced torrential rains
and severe floods damaging over 438,000 acres of crops/orchards, 733,000 livestock and up
to 50% of water systems. Cost of loss and damages from 2022 floods in Southern Punjab was
estimated to be 566 and 515 million USD respectively. Water seepage from unlined canals has
resulted in rise of water table in the vast irrigated plains causing the issues of waterlogging and
soil salinity. The cost of degradation of Indus River basin is estimated to be over 216 million USD
per year, with 50% from agricultural losses due to waterlogging and soil salinity and 50% from
loss of ecological services of Delta.

Monitoring of the ambient air quality of the capital city Lahore in the year 2022 revealed that
there were only 17 days of good or satisfactory AQI (PM2.5) out of the total 309 monitored days.
One-day monitoring of the other nine divisional headquarters during November and December
shows moderate air quality with 5 out of 9 cities showing good/satisfactory AQI (PM2.5) values.
Long-term exposure to particulate matter puts serious health implications on public health
such as exacerbation of respiratory infections, allergies, eye infections and cardiac diseases.
The health costs and productivity slowdown of air pollution will continue to burden economic
growth of the country. The rate of deaths attributable to air pollution (including indoor PM2.5, and
ozone) in Pakistan is also well above global averages. World Bank estimates Pakistan’s annual
burden of disease from outdoor air pollution to be responsible for around 22,000 premature
adult deaths and 163,432 DALYs. Avoidable deaths attributed to ischemic heart disease and
lung cancer in Pakistan accounts to over 2 million people and the total cost related to this
mortality is 1 billion USD. WHO reports that the exceeding levels of air pollution have resulted in
the loss of 5.3 and 4.8 years of life expectancy from 1998-2016 among populations of Lahore and
Faisalabad cities, respectively. Strengthening of regulatory framework, enhanced air quality
monitoring with apportionment studies, controlling industrial emissions by implementation of
resource efficiency and cleaner production technologies and vehicular emissions by increasing
public transportation, strengthening of vehicular inspection certification system, retiring
excessively old vehicles, installation of catalytic converters/diesel particulate filter, adoption of

16
latest Euro Standards for vehicular emissions and vehicle manufacturing are required for the
betterment of air quality.

Water scarcity and water pollution are the other key issues in the Province. Poor agricultural
and industrial practices are leading to resource wastage thereby affecting per capita water
availability. Over 90% of food production in the country comes from irrigated agriculture. In
spite of having the world’s largest contagious irrigation system in the Province, there is a gap
between supply and demand and the deficit is covered by the supply from groundwater.
Currently, over 75% of groundwater is supplied for irrigation purposes. The rapidly drying water
resources are not only threat to the economy but also to the national food security. Due to high
Arsenic (As) and coliform contamination the quality of shallow groundwater is ‘poor’ in Punjab
but is ranked ‘moderate’ in case of deep groundwater. Drinking water quality at source is also
ranked as ‘moderate’ because of the potential hazard of Arsenic contamination though the
presence of E. coli is addressed by WASA through chlorination at source. Drinking water quality
at distribution networks has high incidence of bacterial contamination in major cities of Punjab
because of leakages from sewage pipelines indicating increase in disease burden resulting
from waterborne infections. Drains in Punjab have the poorest water quality getting loads
of domestic sewage and industrial effluents with high BOD, COD and heavy metal contents.
Rivers have ‘moderate’ water quality for irrigation purposes as the drains containing highly
polluted water end up in the rivers and factories are also directly discharging huge volumes of
effluents in them thus affecting water quality. The released heavy metals can travel through
the food chain and pose serious health impacts. Establishment of efficient monitoring system,
enforcement of water and related environmental legislations, strong institutional mechanisms,
treatment of wastewater, construction of more water infrastructure and revision of PEQS
are required to sustainably manage our water resources. There is a dire need to construct
underground storm/rain water recharge galleries in public as well as private establishments.
Further, relevant authorities (like WASAs, municipal authorities) shall go for water metering for
both domestic and industrial connections.

Punjab has rich, fertile alluvial soils with extensive irrigation systems making the land favorable
for cultivation. More than half (56%) of the geographic area of Punjab is currently under
cultivation. Human activities like disposal of solid waste, sewage and industrial discharges,
leachate contamination from landfill sites, deposition of air pollutants in soil and unsustainable
agricultural practices have greatly degraded the soil quality. Land degradation due to salinity,
waterlogging and overgrazing are rendering lands unfit for cultivation purposes. About
6.3 million hectares of land in Pakistan is salt affected and over half of this lies in the Canal
Command Area. Secondary salinization in Punjab is mostly due to seepage of water through
unlined canals in the Indus plains causing a rise in water table thus resulting in waterlogged
conditions and salinity. High salt concentration in irrigation water, accumulation of salt due
to faulty irrigation practices, poor soil drainage are also among the main causes of secondary
salinity in Punjab. The salts brought in by the rivers and their tributaries are estimated at 23
million tons (Mt) annually causing salts to build up in the soil over time. Economic impacts of
such land degradation indicate an annual loss of over 2326 million USD in the Cotton-Wheat,
Rice-Wheat and Mixed cropping regions of Punjab. The Forest Department, Government of
the Punjab manages over 6 million rangelands. The rangelands are mostly located in Potwar,
Thal and Cholistan regions. About 0.4 million farmers /grazers living in the vicinity of these
rangelands are directly advantaged by grazing about 1.2 million animals. Overgrazing causes
desertification of land due to loss of vegetation cover, trampling and soil compaction so these
rangelands are managed on rotational basis.

The discharge of untreated wastewater and sewage disposal are leading to heavy metal
contamination in soils. The soils in agricultural land irrigated with industrial wastewater
contain significant levels of heavy metals that bio-accumulate in plants and travel in the food
chain posing serious health threats to the consumers. Although the average value of heavy
metals such as Chromium, Copper, Lead and Nickel in soils were within permissible limits,

17
 however, the transfer of these metals from soil to the plants is significant due to biological
magnification. The overall quality of various types of soils in Punjab in terms of salinity is rated
as ‘Good’ (agriculture), ‘Moderate’ (urban), and ‘Poor’ (industrial). While the fertility status of all
soil types are rated as ‘Good’ based on presence of essential micronutrients. Establishment of a
continuous soil quality monitoring and reporting system, lining of the canals to prevent water
seepage, research for the development of salt tolerant varieties and policy development and
investment in the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices are required for maintaining
soil quality.

There are 392 industrial wastewater treatment plants in Punjab comprising of primary
(206), secondary (180), and tertiary (6) treatment facilities. The limited industrial wastewater
treatment facilities are not only deteriorating the aquatic ecosystems but also hampering trade
opportunities with many countries. Meeting international standards of trade require effective
environmental management by the industrial units such as optimizing resource utilization and
treating waste before their discharge from the industry. Moreover, performance efficiency of
wastewater treatment facilities installed in various industrial sectors is very low with ‘very poor’
performance for sugar and paper mills. Whereas, performance is ‘poor’ for leather and tanning,
power looms, foods, oil, fats and ghee and animal feed industries,

Punjab daily generates approximately 47,300 tons of solid waste. Municipal solid waste (MSW)
management companies are operating in only seven districts of Punjab i.e. Lahore, Faisalabad,
Multan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Sialkot. There is a single environmentally approved landfill
site in Punjab, based in Lakhodair area, District Lahore. In rest of the districts, the collected
municipal waste is dumped at open sites without proper landfill. Lahore contributes most in
waste generation of Punjab (29%) followed by Rawalpindi (10%), Multan, Kasur and Faisalabad
(9% each), Gujranwala (6%), Sheikhupura (5%) and Sialkot (3%). Whereas, the rest of the 28 districts
produce 21% of Punjab's waste. Inadequate solid waste management and disposal system
prevailing in the province pose significant environmental and health risks arising from release
of harmful pollutants during waste burning, seepage of leachate into the soil and underground
water and vectors breeding at the unmanaged dumpsites in addition to the odour and other
aesthetic issues. Leachate from open MSW dumpsites had Cadmium, Ammonia, Arsenic,
Zinc, COD, BOD, TDS and TSS values higher than the PEQS for municipal and liquid industrial
wastewater indicating it as a source for soil and underground water contamination. This
necessitates the need for on-site leachate collection and treatment system in all the landfill/
dumpsites in Punjab. Hospitals with more than 20 beds generate about 2.8 tons of infectious
waste per day while the incineration capacity is lower than the collection rate. District Kasur
has both highest collection rate (27%) and the largest incineration capacity (30.2%) followed by
Lahore, Faisalabad, Khanewal, Attock, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Multan,
and Sahiwal. Strengthening monitoring and control frameworks, developing comprehensive
legal framework and guidelines for wastewater and municipal solid waste management,
identifying and implementing latest treatment technologies, improving collection efficiency,
segregation of garbage at source, formalizing recycling and promoting the 5R's are some of the
management interventions suggested for sustainable wastewater and MSW management.

An integrated effort by all the stakeholders including government departments, public and
private sector and local communities can help in achieving environmental sustainability. EPD
Punjab is taking several measures to prevent environmental degradation in the Province and
to halt the adverse impacts. For example, EPD launched an anti-smog campaign in 2022 as a
preventive measure to control air pollution levels. The campaign included many institutional
arrangements, enforcement and monitoring based anti-smog activities. EPA inspected
2169 public and private hospitals to check the implementation of Punjab Hospital Waste
Management Rules (2014). Subsequent to these inspections, around 832 hearing notices
and 123 Environmental Protection Orders were issued to the non-compliance hospitals. A
total of 705,650 trees were planted under the supervision of EPA field offices across Punjab
in collaboration with multiple stakeholders. Environment Protection Department is executing

18
Punjab Green Development Program to strengthen environmental governance and promote
green investments in the Province. Under this Program, a network of 30 Air Quality Monitoring
Stations (AQMS) stations and 15 water quality monitoring stations will be installed across the
Punjab with a central control room in Environmental Monitoring Centre located in Lahore.
EPD Punjab got notified a Health Advisory System for Critical Air Pollution Events (HAS
CAPEs) targeting vulnerable population groups. Also, the execution of project proposal for
Establishment of Missing Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) and revision of existing
Standards and development of industry-specific EQ standards initiated in year 2022.

The Punjab Environment Protection Act, 1997 provides a unique set of arrangements for
the redressal of environmental complaints proactively across Punjab through a formalized
established Grievance Redressal Mechanism. EPA receives complaints of different natures
regarding various environmental issues and addresses them by taking corrective measures,
lodging FIRs or by sealing polluting source units. EPA has received a total of 1091 complaints
from 36 districts across Punjab in the year 2022, of which 63% complaints were resolved. Almost
47% of the complaints were related to air pollution showing public concerns towards clean
air. This report has been prepared in consultation with key stakeholders (representatives from
chambers of commerce, industrial associations, civil society organizations, media, academia
and donors). Stakeholder sessions were conducted in two phases viz; one on the proposed
contents of the report and another on the draft report. Findings of the consultation process
have been incorporated in the report to the extent possible.

This report outlines area specific road map for future actions. This state of the environment
report sets foundation for further actions and decision making regarding environmental
sustainability and would act as the benchmark for future progress and improvements. The
report would help EPD and other stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of different
environmental initiatives and required interventions.

19
20
 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1. OVERVIEW
1.1 Mainstay for state of environment report
The Constitution of Pakistan provides every citizen the ‘Right to Information’ in all matters of public importance. After the
18th amendment, the subject of ‘environment and ecology’ has been devolved to provinces, giving rise to the emergence of
provincial environmental laws. Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 was amended and adopted by the Government
of Punjab in 2012. The Act ibid (Section 6) provides certain functions and powers to Environmental Protection Agency,
Punjab, whereby the Agency has been entitled to publish an annual report on the state of Punjab’s environment.

1.2 Purpose of report

Punjab’s first State of Environment Report (2022) provides an insight on the prevailing environmental conditions and issues
in the province, remedial measures taken by EPD and other relevant departments and the way forward for environmental
protection and conservation. Though this report provides limited environmental data, it may be used as a baseline for
preparation of upcoming reports. The regular publishing of state of environment reports of Punjab will enable the policy-
and decision makers to keep abreast of environmental trends, leading to sustainable development planning.

1.3 Methodology
This Report comprises the following components:
I. Evaluation of air, surface water, groundwater and soil quality based on available monitoring data
II. Determination of pollution sources along with a list of pollutants and their intensity that add to air, water and soil
pollution.
III. Evaluation of environmental performance KEY FINDINGS
of solid waste management and waste water
treatment facilities. Punjab, population-wise largest (residing 110 million people) and
geographically the second largest province of Pakistan, (occupying
IV. Suitable course of action adopted to inhibit 25.8% of the total land of Pakistan) is a land of five rivers, with a rich
pollution and revamp the quality of environment. natural resource base.
V. Summarizing the details of environmental
Punjab has a great diversity of forest reserves, protected areas,
complaints received, categorized by nature of the biodiversity, rivers and canals network, alluvial plains, coal and
issue and appropriate actions taken accordingly. mineral resources that make up significant contributions in the
economy of Pakistan.
VI. Public opinion and EPD’s responses on the
report thereto The quality of environment in Punjab is fast deteriorating. With a
VII. Annual environmental action plan of the Punjab population density escalated from 183 persons/km2 in 1972 to 536
persons/km2, coupled with rapid industrialization and urbanization,
Government for the calendar years (CY). the quality of air, water and soil is deteriorating, with the heaps of
solid waste accumulating in mega cities. Pollution , land degradation,
The approaches and data streams used to meet the above- deforestation, declining biodiversity, and climate change are
significant issues that demand urgent action.
listed requirements have been tabulated in (Annexure I).
Punjab comprises around 11% of forest area and 56% cultivated area
1.4 DPSIR Framework of the country with around 15 million hectares of irrigated land.

Indicators of environmental quality and the effects of

Punjab is facing the consequences of climate change at a faster
current and future policy decisions on the environment pace. Minimum temperature of Punjab has increased by 0.97°C and
may be presented in form of DPSIR framework (Figure maximum temperatures by 1.14°C over the past 30 years (1975–
2005). In 2022, an anomaly of 0.88℃ in the annual area-averages
1-1). This Framework has been used in sector 2,3,4 mean temperature has been reported in Punjab, making it the sixth
and 5 of this report. The DPSIR framework postulates warmest year for the province.
a chain of causal links beginning with ‘driving forces’ The agricultural industry, which is responsible for providing jobs to
(economic sectors, human activities) and progressing 47% of the labor force is vulnerable to environmental and climate
change risks including spread of pests and pathogens, pollution,
through ‘pressures’ (emissions, waste), ‘states’ (physical, excessive rainfall, high air temperature and other hazards.
chemical, and biological), ‘impacts’ (on ecosystems,
human health and functions), and ‘responses’ In 2022, Punjab experienced fire incidents (in forests and factories),
smog, heat-waves, torrential rains and severe floods. The Floods in
(prioritization, target setting, indicators). southern Punjab damaged over 438,000 acres of crops/orchards,
733,000 livestock and up to 50% of water systems.
1.5 Limitations in Reporting
A timely and integrated management approach can turn the things
Publishing the Punjab’s 1st State of Environment Report around. The report highlights a number of serious environmental
has been a challenging task. Although many limitations challenges that require immediate attention in Punjab. An integrated
effort by all the stakeholders including government departments,
were faced during the process, some noteworthy public and private sector and local communities can help in achieving
limitations are briefed below: environmental sustainability.

21
 a. Data Limitations: Limited data availability for year 2022 has remained a challenge throughout the
process, however, efforts have been made to abridge the data gaps through some field surveys and
the secondary data, adequately available for this and previous years, to raise the alarms on the fast-
deteriorating environmental conditions of Punjab.
b. Heterogeneity of data: The environmental monitoring system in the public and private sectors of the
province needs to be upgraded. Though, substantial information, based upon local studies and research
works is available, the data is quite heterogeneous and scattered, with limited geographical scopes
(covering only one or few districts of the Province).
c. Data acquisition: The cooperation and support extended by other government departments and
organizations, in collecting the required information for the report was remarkable. However, the data was
not available at hand. A formal channel had to be followed to acquire data from stakeholder departments,
which resulted in time constraints for detailed data analyses.

Figure 1-1: Components and working flow-sheet of DPSIR framework

22
2. ENVIRONMENT
2.1 Ecosystem services and
human wellbeing
The services essential for the survival and
well-being of humans, including ‘health’, are
provided by a clean and healthy ecosystem.
Ecosystems serve mankind in form of
provisioning services (goods produced by
ecosystem, like food and water), regulatory
services (benefits obtained from regulation
of ecosystem process, like disease and pest
control), cultural services (non-material
benefits from ecosystem, like spiritual
and recreational benefits), and supporting
services (necessary for production of other
ecosystem services) like nutrient cycling
that keep the life on Earth sustaining (Figure
1-2). The Indus River Basin, an ecosystem
with its main stretches in Punjab, has served
Pakistan from its mountains to the sea for
over a period of 5000 years2.

Figure 1-2: Ecosystem services for wellbeing of humans and other species

However, ecosystems’ capacity to offer these essential services to all species is significantly hampered by the multiplicity
of human activities. Increased pollution load in air and water ways (especially in the Indus tributaries), loss of biological
diversity, land levelling and degradation to meet increasing housing and food demands, poor solid waste management and
other anthropogenic activities in Punjab are resulting in disease burden, food insecurity, loss of recreation and aesthetic
values and poor livability. The need to adopt sustainable and equitable practices for the wellbeing of both present and future
generations is increasing with every passing day.

2.2 Punjab at a Glance

2
The Living Indus Investing in Ecological Restoration, 2022 (UN & MoCC)

23
 2.2.1 Geography and population
Geographically, Punjab is the second largest province after Baluchistan in terms of area (206,300 km2)3 roughly occupying
25.8% of the total land of Pakistan. Punjab is part of transnational Punjab region, divided among India and Pakistan. It has
09 divisions (Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Sahiwal)
and 36 districts. For each division, one district is entitled as ‘divisional headquarter’. Punjab is the most populous state and
is home to 109,989,655 population (about 110 million)4 . Comparatively, Punjab has highest population growth rate than
other provinces (Figure: 1-3)5 . The population density of the province has increased from 183 persons/sq.km in 1972 to
536 persons/sq.km in 20176 .

Figure 1-3: The trend of population growth in Pakistan

2.2.2 Topography and land use
The topography of Punjab is quite diverse and mostly consists of croplands as shown in Figure 1-4. The extreme South West
and North West of Punjab have some hilly areas while in the South East it has a desert belt (i.e., Cholistan). Almost half
of the area of the Punjab province is under agricultural land use. Water bodies comprise of 155.5 km2, urban and built-up
area comprises 3882.7 km2, croplands comprise 115836.3 km2 and barren land covers 34208.6 km2 of total area of Punjab.

Figure 1-4: Land use Map of Punjab

(Source: Syed, A. et al., 2021.Assessment of Climate Variability among Seasonal Trends Using In-Situ Measurements: A Case Study
of Punjab, Pakistan. Atmosphere 2021, 12(8), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12080939)

3
Statistical Pocket Book of the Punjab (2022), Punjab Bureau of Statistics (Page 51)
4
Final Results of Punjab Population Census (2017), Punjab Bureau of Statistics
5
Data Source: Statistical Pocket Book of the Punjab (2022), Punjab Bureau of Statistics (Page 313)
6
Statistical Pocket Book of the Punjab (2022), Punjab Bureau of Statistics (Page 314-315)

24
The land use of Province has been divided into three categories; cropped area (total area cropped once or multiple times
in a given year), cultivated area (the area sown with crops but only counted once) and non-cultivated area. The non-
cultivated land area of the province is further classified into forest area, the land that cannot be used for agriculture and
cultivable waste land. Punjab comprises around 0.49 mha of forest area, 2.97 mha area not available for cultivation, 1.52
mha cultivable waste land, 12.52 mha cultivated area, 10.63 mha net area sown (area that is sowl atleast once in a year) and
16.52 mha cropped area of the country7 (Figure 1-5).

25 23.1 22.68
22.07

20
16.52
15.38
15 12.52
10.63
10 8.27

4.55
5 2.97
1.52
0.49
0
Forest area Not available for Culturable Waste Cultivated Area Net Area Sown Total Cropped
Cultivation Area

Pakistan Punjab

Figure 1-5: Land-use in Punjab in comparison with Pakistan (in million Hectares)

2.2.3 Irrigation system

With 15 million hectares of irrigated land, Punjab is endowed with greatest natural drainage system8 . Its irrigation system
is based on Indus Bain, consisting of several tributaries, seasonal streams and five permanent rivers (Ravie, Beas, Satlej,
Chenab, Jhelum), meeting River Indus at Panjnad9 . In every division, irrigated area outnumbers the non-irrigated land by
a greater proportion (Figure 1-6). PAGE 25

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
Bahawalpur D.G. Khan Faisalabad Gujranwala Lahore Multan Rawalpindi Sahiwal Sargodha
Divisional HQs of Punjab

Irrigated Un-Irrigated

Figure 1-6:
Figure 1-6:Irrigated
Irrigatedand
and Un-irrigated Landinin
Un-irrigated Land Punjab
Punjab (Thousand
(Thousand Hectares)
Hectares)
However, the Indus Basin has undergone disturbances in its hydrological balance due to the induction of a vast irrigation
system in an area of flat topography and limited drainage. With the continuous extension of the canal irrigation system,
PAGE 106
blocked drainage, water-recharge from unlined canals and seepage of water from irrigated fields, the water table in the vast
irrigated plains of Punjab25000
has raised up to 1.5 m of the soil surface causing the issues of waterlogging and soil salinity10.
The Living Indus Report200002022 has revealed disappointing facts about degradation of Indus Basin, reporting that it has
shrunk by 92% over past two centuries causing a loss of 4% to country’s GDP on average. The cost of degradation of Indus
Number of Trees

15000
River basin has estimated to be over 2.00 Billion USD per year, with 50% from agricultural losses due to waterlogging and
soil salinity; and 50% from loss of ecological services of Delta11.
10000

7
Land Utilization Statistics, 5000
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
8
Statistical Pocket Book of the Punjab (2022), Punjab Bureau of Statistics (Page 68)
9
Landcover Atlas Of Pakistan_0The Punjab Province, A Joint Publication By FAO, SUPARCO And Crop Reporting Service,
Jhang
Bahawalpur

Chiniot

D.G Khan

Gujrat

Kasur

Lahore

Okara

Sahiwal
Gujranwala
Hafizabad

Multan
Attock

Khanewal

Narowal

Rajanpur
Rawalpindi
Bhakkar

Chakwal

Lodhran

MB Din

T.T Sing
Bahawalnagar

Faisalabad

Layyah

Mianwali
Muzaffar Garh

Nankana Sahib

Pakpattan

Sargodha

Sheikhupura
Sialkot

Vehari
Khushab

R.Y.Khan
Jhelum

Government Of The Punjab

10
Qureshi, A.S.;McCornick, P.G. and Qadir, M.; 2008, Managing salinity and waterlogging in the Indus Basin of Pakistan, Agricultural
Water Management 95(1):1-10 DOI:10.1016/j.agwat.2007.09.014
Districts

Figure 6-6 25
 2.2.4 Agriculture, forests and wildlife
Punjab, known as the ‘breadbasket’ of Pakistan is mainly agrarian providing 68% of the national annual yield of food grains
12
. The cash crops that make up a significant proportion of national income are cotton and rice. The Punjab, not only has
agricultural land but also has a cover of green and dry forests. Protected forests, reserved forests, and unclassed forests are
the main forest categories of Punjab. Among the reserved forests, 67% fall in the Rawalpindi division (Northern Punjab)13
(Figure 1-7).

3% 2%
5% Bahawalpur
9% 2%
D.G.Khan
Faisalabad
8% Gujranawala

3% Lahore Divn.
1% Multan
Rawalpindi
67% Sahiwal
Sargodha

Figure 1-7 Division wise distribution of Reserved Forest area (%) in Punjab

The province has a wide variety of dryland forests,

including Subtropical dry scrub forest (Olea cuspidata and
Acacia modesta), Tropical dry thorn forest (flood plain
and desert) dominated by Salvadora oleoides, Prosopis
cineraria and Tamarix aphylla and Capparis decidua as
sub-climax species, Tropical dry Broadleaved forest with
a dominant cover of Butea monosperma and Subtropical
Pine Forests dominated by chirpine (Pinus roxburghii).
These forests are found in the Subtropical sub-Himalayan
and temperate regions to the south of tropical Indus plains
(Figure 1-8)14.
It has been reported that during 2001 to 2021, Punjab has
experienced a loss of 88ha of tree cover due to fires and
347ha from all other drivers of tree cover-loss. Maximum
loss of tree cover resulting from fires (over 31 hectares
of land) was reported in 200915. Among other factors of
loss in forest cover, conversion of forests into agricultural
lands is also evident in Punjab. For instance, the tropical
desert thorn forest located in Thal region of Punjab is
rapidly being converted for agricultural purposes16.
Figure 1-8: Map of forested areas in the Punjab province
11
The Living Indus Investing in Ecological Restoration, 2022 (UN & MoCC)
12
http://punjab.gov.pk/about_punjab_economy
13
Statistical Pocket Book of the Punjab (2022), Punjab Bureau of Statistics (Page 216)
14
Pakistan Climate Risk Country Profile, 2021, The World Bank.
15
Global Forest Watch (https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/PAK/ )
16
Gratzfeld, J. and Khan, A. U. (2015). Dry Woodlands in Pakistan’s Punjab Province – Piloting restoration of unique yet vanishing
natural assets. Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Richmond, UK.

26
The diverse topography of Punjab, ranging from gigantic Himalayas to grazing pastures and deserts, provide habitats for
a large diversity of flora and fauna. Over 80 species of mammals and reptiles and around 500 species of birds have been
reported in the province. Mammalian species include jungle cat, jackal, Indian gerbil, fruit bat, palm squirrel, mongoose,
white hare, wild boar and field mouse, whereas famous reptiles are including; viper, Varanus, Uromastic, krait, and cobra.
It has been reported that 11 bird species and 6 mammal species have been nominated as vulnerable as per IUCN Red list,
with habitat loss being the major cause of vulnerability17.

In context of wildlife conservation, a network of institutions have been established throughout the Province (Figure 1 9).

Figure 1-9 Wildlife Conservation Facilities in Punjab Pakistan

2.2.5 Industry and economic hubs

Punjab has diverse range of manufacturing industries including textiles, sports goods, heavy machinery, electrical
appliances, surgical instruments, building materials, automobiles, metals and autoparts, sugar mills, cement plants,
agricultural equipment, auto-rickshaws, floor coverings, processed foods, etc. The Urban Unit's System of Cities Model,
which is a continuation of the Punjab Spatial Strategy (2017-2047), classifies economic hotspots in the province according
to the population. One "Mega hub" (Lahore) and eight "divisional headquarter hubs" (sometimes called "hubs"), as well
as eight "regional hubs," have been classified in Punjab. These hubs link to the neighbouring smaller cities to support
a number of economic activities, including the transportation of goods, the provision of healthcare facilities and social
services, and contributions to regional supply chains. Each hub forms a ‘cluster’ after connecting with the neigbouring
cities18 (Figure 1-10).
17
Punjab Spatial Strategy (2017-2047)
18
System Of Cities, The Urban Unit, Punjab.

27
 Figure 1-10: Industry and Economic Hubs of the province Punjab

The large-scale industries are clustered in mega urban centers in Punjab, particularly affecting the environmental quality in
these cities, whereas the small-scale industry is scattered in the province evenly. Such spatial concentration of industries,
coupled with unplanned land-use is aggravating the pollution, as well as the burden on local natural resources, especially
on the water19. The major industries contributing to pollution are cement manufacturing plants, fertilizer plants, textile
industries, sugar industries and power plants.20

2.2.6 Mineral profile

Punjab is known for rich mineral resource base comprising of argillaceous clay, bauxite, bentonite, construction aggregate,
calcite, celestite, chalk, kaolin, coal, dolomite, refractory clay, fuller's earth, gypsum, iron ore, laterite, limestone, halite,
and silica sand. The Salt Range harbors extensive reserves of sub-bituminous coal. The coal reserves are available in
district Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Khushab, and Mianwali. The soil composition prevalent in the foothills is typically
characterized by a mixture of sand and gravel. Pure deposits of sand enrich the banks of waterways (rivers and streams).
Pure sand can be found at a depth of 4 to 5 feet (below crust) in the channels of old rivers. Punjab's fertile soil is rich in iron
ores. The Kalabagh iron ore deposits are the largest known reserves in Pakistan, located in the District Mianwali within
the Surghar Range and near the Sakesar, Salt Range21. No resource extraction is without its environmental implications
in terms of air pollution, soil erosion and contamination of surface and groundwater resources. The mining activities also
negatively affect the ecology of the area.22

2.2.7 Climate change

The climate of Punjab province exhibits a range of characteristics, from semi-arid to arid in the southern regions to cool
and humid in the northern areas (north to the Salt Range). The topography of the province is predominantly characterized
by low-lying terrain, minimum high-altitude regions are situated in the northernmost areas. This kind of topography makes
the province warmer. The Province experiences temperature fluctuations ranging from minimum-2oC to maximum 45oC,
occasionally reaching the extreme high of 50oC. Punjab is located at the western edge of the tropical monsoon zone, which
is characterized by the influx of summer precipitation resulting from winds originating in the Bay of Bengal. Additionally,
it marks the eastern boundary of western depressions, which are winter storm systems that originate over the Mediterranean
Sea.

19
Sustainable Industrial Development in Punjab, The World Bank, 2019.
(https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/f8054741-7eaa-5983-a459 cf54083111b3/content )
20
Punjab Spatial Strategy (2017-2047)Technical Paper 10 Environment Protection and Conservation, The Urban Unit
21
Mines & Minerals Department, Government of the Punjab
22
Jabbar Khan A, Akhter G, Gabriel HF, Shahid M. Anthropogenic Effects of Coal Mining on Ecological Resources of the Central
Indus Basin, Pakistan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(4):1255. https://doi.org/10.3390/
ijerph17041255

28
 Figure 1-11: Average rise in minimum and maximum temperatures (1975-2005)

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab reports that minimum temperature of Punjab has
increased by 0.97°C and maximum temperatures by 1.14°C over the last 30 years (1975–2005) as indicated in Figure 1-1123. In
2022, an anomaly of 0.88°C in the annual area-averaged mean temperature has been reported in Punjab, making it the sixth
warmest year for the province24.
Punjab Bureau of Statistics confirms the rising trend of rainfall in many areas of the Province (Figure 1-12). As reported
by Pakistan Meteorological Department, during the monsoon season of 2022, Punjab experienced a precipitation level that
was significantly higher than the average, with an increase of 70%25.

Figure 1-12: Rainfall Trends in Punjab (2016-2020)

In Punjab, climate change has its manifestations in the form of accelerated frequency and intensity of riverine, flash & urban
flooding, droughts and heatwaves, with multiplex secondary impacts on all sensitive sectors, including, but not limited to
the water resources, agriculture, health and ecosystems. District level climate risk and hazard assessment classification
indicates that Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Gujranwala, Muzaffargarh, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan and
Layyah are most vulnerable to the risks of flooding26.
Southern region of the province has faced the catastrophic floods in 2010 causing the damages of 219 billion PKR27, in
2014 affecting more than 10 million acres of agricultural land in Districts Jhang and Muzaffargarh28 and in 2022 damaging
over 438,000 acres of crops/orchards, 733,000 livestock and up to 50% of water systems29. Cost of loss and damages from
2022 floods in Southern Punjab was 566 and 515 Million USD respectively30.
23
Multi-Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment (MHVRA) Reports, PDMA, Punjab
24
State of Pakistan Climate in 2022. Pakistan Meteorological Department (2022)
25
Monsson Report (2022), Pakistan Meteorological Department
26
Zaman, Q. 2017.Climate Change Profile of Pakistan. Asian Development Bank. Manila, Philippines.
27
Pakistan Flood Impact Assessment, Economic Survey, 2010-11
28
Ghani, R. et al (2017) , Socio-economic Damages caused by the 2014 Flood in Punjab Province, Pakistan Academy of Sciences
29
Situation Report No. 4, 2022 (UN-OCHA)
30
Pakistan Floods 2022, Post Disaster Needs Assessment, Ministry of planning and Special Initiatives, Government of Pakistan.

29
 A list of major environmental events of Punjab is presented in Figure 1-13. Weather Trends in Punjab during 2022 are
provided in Annexures II and III.

Figure 1-13 Timeline of major environmental events in Punjab province during 2022

3. MANAGEMENT
3.1 Strengthening institutional capacities and adopting an integrated approach to environmental
management
Governments, businesses, communities and individuals should all show their commitment to social and environmental
responsibility through the decisions they make. Policy development, regulation enforcement, strengthening institutional
capacities, environmentally responsible investments, developing innovative solutions along with community involvement,
education and awareness are the key actions required to be taken for environmental protection (Figure 1-14).
Six natural resource systems and the results we want to achieve for each of them may help us frame our responsibilities as
people and members of our communities.

i. Air: Sustain clean and healthy air

ii. Ecosystems: Protect and restore ecosystems functions, goods, and services
iii. Energy: Generate clean energy and use it efficiently
iv. Land: Support ecologically sensitive land management and development

30
 Figure 1-14: Need for adopting an integrated management approach to solve environmental issues

3.2 Context to protect Punjab’s environment

On October 8, 2021, Resolution 48/13 was enacted by the Human Rights Council, guaranteeing everyone the right to live
in healthy, clean and sustainable environment. Therefore, safeguarding this basic human right must be a top priority. Punjab
is the most populated province in Pakistan; thus, it is especially important that it takes measures to preserve its natural
environment and the natural resources upon which its economy depends. According to the Punjab Social Protection Policy
for 2022, a large percentage of the population in the province is at or below the poverty line. The agricultural industry,
which is responsible for providing jobs for 47% of the labor force31, is vulnerable to environmental and climate change
risks, including crop diseases, pollution, excessive rainfall, high air temperature, and other hazards32. To safeguard and
conserve the environment, policymakers and communities from all walks of life must be kept abreast of environmental
conditions and trends.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT

The role of Environmental Monitoring and Assessment becomes crucial for taking action to improve the environment. It's
the process of analyzing data from Environmental Quality Monitoring to determine what can be done to lessen pollution
in the air, water, and soil. Figure 1-15 presents an environmental quality assessment rating scale which has been used in
this report to rate air, water, soil quality and performance of wastewater treatment and solid waste management in Punjab.

Punjab agriculture profile (https://www.agripunjab.gov.pk/system/files/Punjab%20Agriculture%20Profile.pdf)

31

Ahmad, D., Afzal, M. Flood hazards and factors influencing household flood perception and mitigation strategies in Pakistan.
32

Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 15375–15387 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08057-z

31
 Figure 1-15: Environmental Quality Assessment Scale

This State of Environment Report is an important step forward and an indispensable resource for gathering data on the
status of the environment in Punjab as of the present. The most recent scientific information is included in the study, which
is likely to have a major influence on promoting environmental sustainability.

32
33
 CHAPTER 2 air quality
1. OVERVIEW
Air – a primary constituent of the environment – is essential for life on Earth. Nitrogen and Oxygen gases make up about 99
percent of Earth’s air. Air quality is deteriorating due to industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, rapid urbanization trends,
use of fossil fuels, open burning, poor agricultural practices, and climate change, etc. EPD Punjab, with its limited capacity,
is striving hard for taking appropriate actions for maintaining good air quality. It has a limited number of fixed ambient air
quality monitoring stations (AQMS) and a mobile AQMS. The daily value of the Air Quality Index (AQI), is disseminated
through the EPD’s website1 . Based on AQI, Meteorological Department issues the air quality forecast2. Furthermore, EPA
is carrying out the monitoring of point and non-point pollution sources.
1.1 Air quality and society
The ambient air quality in Punjab is affected by multiple sources, including those within its borders and those from other
regions beyond its boundaries. Air Pollution is one of the rapidly growing problems in Punjab Province. The presence of
higher concentrations of air pollutants and variations of climatic conditions (like temperature inversion) may result in the
occurrence of critical air pollution events like smog.
The Indo-Gangetic Plains, composed of the Indus (areas in Pakistan, and parts of Punjab and Haryana in India) and the
Gangetic Plains (India, Nepal, and Bangladesh) have been identified as one of the most polluted regions due to high
aerosol concentration. These plains have humid subtropical climates. The region is characterized by high pollutant levels,
especially smog from October to April each year which contributes to poor health and causes severe illnesses3. The poor air
quality directly means poor health of people. The report provides a description of ambient air quality as measured by the
AQMS and an evaluation of pollution sources with regard to PEQS.

2. ENVIRONMENT
KEY FINDINGS
2.1 Ambient air quality and AQI
Poor air quality is the leading cause of premature deaths
Maintaining good air quality is essential for protecting
• World Bank estimates Pakistan’s annual burden of disease
public health, preserving the environment, mitigating from outdoor air pollution to be responsible for around 22,000
climate change, and promoting sustainable economic premature adult deaths and 163,432 DALYs.
• WHO reported that the exceeding levels of air pollution have
growth. The overall 7 categories of AQI (represented resulted in the loss of 5.3 and 4.8 years of life expectancy
by a different color) vis-à-vis health advisory notes are from 1998-2016 among populations of Lahore and Faisalabad,
respectively.
as shown in Table 2-14. Color coding is used to make it
easier for people to understand whether the quality of air
Overall Air quality assessment of different cities in Punjab is from
is healthy or unhealthy. moderate-poor

One of the critical challenges associated with the • Ambient air quality monitoring of Lahore for the year 2022
shows poor air quality with only 17 good AQI (PM2.5) days out
management of poor air quality faced in Punjab is the of the total 309 monitored days.
lack of air quality monitoring systems. There are different • Snapshot of one-day monitoring of the other nine divisional
headquarters during November and December shows moderate
sets of air quality monitoring systems available with EPA air quality with 5 out of 9 cities showing good/satisfactory AQI
Punjab. Three of these were received in a project5 and (PM2.5) values.

the other six (compact ones) were purchased by EPA

Punjab6. The ambient air quality monitoring stations Vehicular and Industrial emissions are the main cause of
deteriorating air quality
require continuous repair and maintenance including
Satellite data revealed that Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura,
replacing filters etc. for their proper functioning. The Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala are among the
values of AQI1 issued are mentioned in this report. AQI hotspots of CO, SO2, and NO2.
is calculated by using the formula given in BOX 1 with
some specific breakpoints described in Annexure IV. Different stakeholders are responsible to manage the quality of Air
around us
• Punjab Province has notified the PEQs for Ambient Air and
Industrial Gaseous Emissions.
• Improving the air quality is a continuous process and major
changes are needed across different sectors in the existing
system through advent of many initiatives.

1
https://epd.punjab.gov.pk/aqi
2
https://rmcpunjab.pmd.gov.pk/WWW/AirQualityUpdate.php
3
https://epd.punjab.gov.pk/system/files/Smog%20commission%20report.pdf
4
https://epd.punjab.gov.pk/system/files/Health%20Advisory%20Notification_0.pdf
5
“Establishment of Environmental Monitoring System in Islamic Republic of Pakistan”
6
“Establishment of Air Quality Monitoring System in Punjab” (1 No.) and “Installation
of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station in 4 cities of Punjab” (5 Nos.).

34
 Table 2-1: Colour illustration and information of AQI
AQI AQI Color General Public Vulnerable Groups
Code
Category
0-50 Good In terms of performance assessment, exposure to this air results in Good to
satisfactory.
51-100 Satisfactory
101-150 Moderate Consider AQI to plan • Keep a regular check on your health vitals
outdoor activities e.g. oxygen levels, blood pressure etc.
• In case of respiratory problem etc. consult
your doctor/family physician.
• Eat healthy diet to naturally boost your
immunity.
• Avoid smoking or any related activity.
• Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor
exertion.
• Make the emergency equipment such as
nebulizers available at home as first aid
measure.
151-200 Unhealthy Reduce prolonged or • Check AQI level before outdoor workout/
for sensitive heavy outdoor exertion exercise.
groups • Wear face masks during outdoor
activities.
• Restrict children from playing outdoors.
• Avoid unnecessary traveling, residing,
and visits in the areas having unhealthy
AQI.
• Elderly people should minimize outdoor
exposure.
• Consider doors and windows closed to
reduce outdoor air intake.
• Avoid prolonged or heavy outdoor
exertion.
• Patients of COPD & CVD should select
the face masks in consultation with their
physician.
201-300 Unhealthy • Wear face masks • Regularly check AQI and health vitals.
during outdoor activ- • Spend maximum time at home.
ities. • Use N95 mask when going outside is
• Reduce prolonged unavoidable.
or heavy outdoor • Restrict prolonged or heavy outdoor
exertion. exertion.
• Bar children from unnecessary outdoor
visits/activities.
• Patients of COPD & CVD should select
the face masks in consultation with their
physician.
301-400 Very • Limit outdoor activities • Stay indoors.
Unhealthy on days with air quality • Use N95 or equivalent mask
is poor. and pollution protective glasses/
goggles when going outside is
• Limit outdoor exercise unavoidable.
activities and shift to • Regularly check AQI and health vitals.
indoor gyms or home- • Patients of COPD & CVD should select
based workouts to the face masks in consultation with their
protect your health physician.

401-500+ Hazardous • Stay indoors. • Stay at home.

• Use N95 or equivalent • Use air purifiers or equivalent.
mask and pollution pro- • Frequently check health vitals.
tective glasses/gog-
gles when going outside
is unavoidable.
• Regularly check AQI
and health vitals.
35
 Figure 2-1: Monitoring locations and AQI values in nine cities of Punjab in 2022

2.2 Snapshot of air quality of nine divisional headquarters of Punjab (excluding Lahore)
This section covers information about the monitoring and measurement of air quality in nine major cities of the Punjab
Province. Monitoring of the nine divisional headquarters i.e., Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala,
Multan, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, and Sargodha were conducted through mobile AQMS. With regards to the above monitoring,
it is important to mention that this monitoring was carried out on a single day and is only a representative sample of the
ambient air quality on that particular day. This data does not reflect the annual trend or the prevailing values of air quality in
that particular region. The monitoring was carried out between 30th November to 11th December, 2022 and was carried out
for criterion pollutants only at each location i.e., either for PM2.5 or SO2. The locations of the ambient air quality monitoring
carried out in nine divisional headquarters along with their AQI values are shown in Figure 2-1.

AQI PM2.5 was found to be within the PEQS limit (35 µg/m3) for Sargodha and Gujrat, while it was ''moderate'', ''unhealthy
for sensitive groups'', and ''unhealthy'' for Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Bahawalpur, respectively. AQI (based on SO2) was
found to be within PEQS limits (120 µg/m3) in all three cities i.e., Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, and DG Khan.
2.3 Air quality of Lahore
Lahore, once considered the city of the gardens, is facing alarming levels of air pollution for the last few years. In this
report, two types of data are reported for Lahore. One was obtained through fixed AQMS (installed each at Town Hall and
Township) the second from mobile AQMS. Figure 2-2 shows the monitoring locations and the average AQI values for
Lahore that are higher than the safe limits at almost all of the sites (except one) with most of them falling into ''unhealthy
''and ''very unhealthy'' categories.

36
 Figure 2-2: Monitoring locations and average AQI values in Lahore during 2022

Continuous monitoring for AQI (based on PM2.5)

shows that the values were above the safe limits almost
the whole of the year with the highest values during
winter months (November-January). The prevalent
ambient air quality trend shows very poor air quality
in Lahore peaking up to very unhealthy and hazardous
levels during the winter season (Figure 2-3). Climate-
induced changes in weather patterns such as reduced
wind speed, fluctuations in relative humidity, and the
occurrence of temperature inversion are some factors
that may worsen the situation of ambient air quality of
the province during the winter season.

Figure 2-4 shows that Lahore enjoyed only 17 days

of good/satisfactory air quality with respect to AQI Figure 2-3: Continuous monitoring of AQI (PM2.5) in Lahore during 2022

37
 (PM2.5) values in 2022. Urbanites experienced 78 days of moderate and 214 days of unhealthy-hazardous air quality in
Lahore.

Figure 2-4: Number of days and AQI (PM2.5) levels in Lahore for 2022

Between 2006 and 2012, source apportionment studies conducted in Pakistan, particularly in Lahore, revealed elevated
concentrations of primary and secondary pollutants, specifically fine particulate matter. The average annual concentration
of PM2.5 was 194 ± 94 (µg/m3). The contribution of secondary organic aerosols also peaked during the winter, potentially
influenced by foggy conditions7. The trends of particulate matter concentration8 in Lahore from 2019 to 2022 is shown in
Figure 2-5.

Figure 2-5: Trend of AQI-PM2.5 between 2019 and 2022 in Lahore.

2.4 Satellite-based monitoring of atmospheric trace gases9

Annual averages of three major atmospheric trace gases viz. Carbon monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were
measured during 2022 in Punjab by using satellite-based observations. The annual average concentrations and details of
hotspots in the districts of Punjab are given in Table 2-2 and Figure 2-6 and 2-7.
Table 2-2: Annual average concentration of trace gases measured by satellite-based sensors
Trace Gases Annual Average Hotspots
Concentration
Carbon Monoxide 27 to 43 mmol/m2 Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib,
Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Muzaffargarh
Nitrogen Dioxide 17 to 183 µmol/m2 Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib,
Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan and
Rawalpindi

7
Ernesto Sánchez-Triana, Santiago Enriquez, Javaid Afzal, Akiko Nakagawa, and Asif Shuja Khan, Cleaning Pakistan’s
Air, Policy Options to Address the Cost of Outdoor Air Pollution, World Bank, https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/
pt/701891468285328404/pdf/890650PUB0Clea00Box385269B00PUBLIC0.pdf
8
https://www.airnow.gov/international/us-embassies-and-consulates/#Pakistan$Lahore
9
As provided by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission [10401-SPARC-LAHORE] for the Report by using
TROPOMI on board Sentinel-5P satellite

38
The monthly averaged column concentrations of the trace gases remained low in the months of Jul and Aug, 2022 with
significant decrease in urban hotspots. High concentrations of CO and NO2 were seen in the months of winter, spring, and
summer. Relatively lower concentrations and less hotspots for all the trace gases were observed in the southern part of the
province.

Figure 2-6: Annual average concentration of CO (mmol/m2)

39
 Figure 2-7: Annual average concentration of NO2 (mmol/m2)

2.5 Monitoring of industrial emissions and vehicular registration

Baseline data was gathered regarding the industrial establishments, monitoring of industrial emissions, and vehicular
registration, as detailed below.

40
 Figure 2-8: Location of the industries in Punjab

2.5.1 Industrial establishments

Three datasets have been reviewed in order to identify the number of pollution sources in Punjab. During 2013-14, EPA
Punjab carried out geo-tagging of industrial units. Identified 18,271 establishments comprising 67 different types. The data
of the Industries Department (2016-17) describes 18,540 industrial establishments comprising 194 different types. The data
in the Map Book of Punjab, 2020 (spatial encyclopedia)11 shows 46,420 industrial establishments belonging to 24 different
sectors (Figure 2-8).
The division-wise comparison of these data sets is presented in Figure 2-9. The unavailability of updated datasets is a major
bottleneck in understanding the quantum of pollution sources in the districts. This further complexes the matter of finding
a solution with respect thereof or even understanding the summary inventory of pollutants, detailing the time and intensity
thereof.

Figure 2-9: Division-wise count of the industries

11
Map Book of the Punjab prepared by The Urban Unit

41
 2.5.2 Industrial monitoring
There are 8 Environmental laboratories of EPA having specific “Area of Jurisdiction”12 as mentioned in Table 2-3. A total
of 334 inspections of stack emissions were carried out in the year 2022. Only EPA Laboratory Lahore has the capacity to
measure the PM in the stack emissions.
Table 2-3: EPA laboratories with their area of jurisdiction

EPA laboratory City Area of jurisdiction

Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh and Jhang

Faisalabad
District Chiniot, Sargodha, Bhakkar and Khushab
Gujranwala District Gujranwala, Gujrat and Mandi Baha-ud-din
District Lahore, Kasur and Okara
Lahore
All districts of Punjab for special Monitoring
Multan, Vehari and Khanewal,
Multan Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Layyah
Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Okara District
Rawalpindi Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and Mianwali
Bahawalpur Division (Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and
Rahim Yar Khan
Rahim Yar Khan)
Sialkot District Sialkot and Narowal
Sheikhupura District Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Hafizabad

PM, NOx, and CO (mg/Nm3) emissions were generally recorded from the stacks of the boilers. The comparison of
monitoring results with the PEQS is given in Figures 2-10, 2-11 & 2-12. All the pollutant concentrations in the stack
emissions were found to be higher than the PEQS values in all the industries with the highest levels shown by the Lubricant
Reclamation Unit followed by the Chipboard manufacturing industries. CO (mg/Nm3) concentrations were found to be
highest in the Lubricant Reclamation unit, while NOx and PM concentrations were highest in the Poly packaging and Steel
re-rolling mills, respectively.

9000
Monitoring Results (mg/Nm3) PEQS (mg/Nm3)
8000

7000
CO mg/Nm3

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
Lubricant Steel Re-Rolling Food Products Textile Mills Diesel Generator Chipboard
Reclamation Mills Manufacturing
Unit Plant

Figure 2-10: Monitoring of industrial emissions of CO (mg/Nm3)

Figure 2-11: Monitoring of industrial emissions of CO (mg/Nm3)

4000
Monitoring Results (mg/Nm3) PEQS (mg/Nm3)
3500

3000
12
Notification No 02/LS/EPA/Vol-II dated 17th April 2014
Ox mg/Nm3

2500
42
2000
 Unit Plant

Figure 2-11: Monitoring of industrial emissions of CO (mg/Nm3)

4000
Monitoring Results (mg/Nm3) PEQS (mg/Nm3)
3500

3000
NOx mg/Nm3

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
Food Products Textile Mills Chemical Paper & Paper Diesel Generator Poly Packaging
Industry Board

Figure 2-11: Monitoring of industrial emissions of NOx (mg/Nm3)

Figure 2-12 Monitoring of industrial emissions of PM (mg/Nm3)

Vehicular Registration Data and actions taken against vehicular pollution

The transport sector is one of the major emitters of air pollution. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during
2020 has reported that 43% of the air pollutants are emitted from the transport sector, 25% from the industrial, and 20%
from the agriculture sector13. Global Change Impact Study Center (GCISC) reported that 12% of particulate matter
(PM2.5) was sourced from the soil dust, 11% from power plants and heavy industries, 18% from small industries, 21%
from residential, 18% from mobile sources, 5% from municipal waste, 4% from agriculture residues burning, 11% from
Livestock and fertilizers14 . During the year 2022, a total of 1,327,730 vehicles were registered in Punjab. Registrations in
Lahore comprised of over a quarter of the total registered vehicles in Punjab, followed by Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala,
and Sialkot. In terms of body type, motorcycles constituted ̴ 88% of the registered vehicles during the given period,
followed by motor cars (̴ 9%).
In Punjab, vehicular pollution has emerged as a significant policy matter and needed immediate attention. Foremost of
them include; the unprecedented increase in the number of vehicles, a dire need for gradation of vehicular emissions
standards, and poor fuel quality. The subject of petroleum standards as well as vehicular standards falls under the ambit
of the Federal Government.
Throughout Punjab, an active regulatory as well as enforcement drive was carried out by the District Offices of the EPA
13
https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca6989en/
14
An Unpublished study titled as “Application of the GAINS IGP-HF AQM Policy Planning Tool” By GCSIC

43
 Punjab against vehicular pollution with the assistance of the Traffic Police. This campaign resulted in the issuance of
challans, imposition of fines, impounding of vehicles as well as lodging of FIRs against the defaulters. A total of 112,661
number of vehicles were inspected by the Vehicle Inspection and Certification System. Details are provided in Chapter 6
of this Report.
3. OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Quality assessment of ambient air of Lahore, divisional headquarters and industrial stack emissions showed ‘poor’,
‘moderate’ and ‘very poor’ respectively.

Air Quality Assessment

Assessment: Overall Air Quality (Lahore)

Overall quality: Poor

Very Good Good Moderate Poor Very poor

Assessment: Overall Air Quality (snapshot of other divisional headquarters)

Overall quality: Moderate

Very Good Good Moderate Poor Very poor

Assessment: Industrial Stack Emissions

Overall quality: Very Poor

Very Good Good Moderate Poor Very poor

4. MANAGEMENT
This section describes the efforts by the Punjab Government to encounter the major pollution sources affecting air quality
in the Province.
4.1 Regulatory framework
The Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (XXXIV of 1997) is an Act to provide protection, conservation,
rehabilitation, and improvement of the environment, for the prevention and control of pollution, and promotion of
sustainable development15. The environment, pollution, and air pollutant are defined in § 2(x), § 2(xxxiii), and § 2 (iii)
of the Act ibid respectively. In addition to the above, to gauge the pollution levels the Agency has to notify emission
standards as defined § 2(ix) and § 2(xli) of the Act ibid. Furthermore, it is the function of the Agency to establish standards
for the quality of the ambient air, water, and land under § 6(1) of the Act ibid. The PEQS for ambient air quality as well
as industrial gas emissions have already been notified. The Act ibid § 11 imposes a prohibition of certain discharges or
emissions including air pollutants in an amount, concentration, or level which is in excess of the Punjab Environmental
Quality Standards. Regulation of motor vehicles regarding air pollutants is also carried out § 15 of the Act ibid. The Act
ibid provides a mechanism against its violators through the issuance of Environmental Protection Order § 16. The penalties
of the Act ibid are given § 17.
5. DPSIR framework
DPSIR framework is used to assess the air quality in Punjab for management purposes. This framework outlines the drivers
exerting pressures with their prevalent state and their impacts, linking responses to understand the air quality management
in Punjab (Figure 2-13). The details are as follows:
Drivers
Punjab has almost 54.2% economic contribution to the national GDP and employs approximately 37.6 million people16 .
The drivers of air quality in Punjab are identified as
a. Population Growth: Punjab is the most populous province and its 110 million dwellers constitute an overall 52%
population count of the country. Punjab has a population density of 536 persons per Square Kilometer with an
annual percentage average growth rate (1998-2017) of 2.13%17 .
b. Urbanization: Urbanization is one of the drivers of aggravating air quality in Punjab. The urban proportion in
Punjab as recorded in 2017 was 36.86%18 .
c. Industrialization: Punjab has a strong economic record and significantly contributes to the GDP. In Punjab,
15
http://punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/2192a.html
16
https://punjab.gov.pk/system/files/PGS_2023.pdf
17
https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2017/national.pdf
18
https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2017/national.pdf

44
 industrialization is growing and impairing air quality either due to a lack of air pollution control devices or the
inefficiency of the installed ones.
d. Agricultural Demand: Punjab is a major producer of crops. In order to meet the increasing market demands (for
wheat, rice, etc.), the farmers use conventional ways like stubble burning to sow the next crop in an expeditious
manner without considering the environmental impacts of their activities.
e. Increase in Vehicles: Due to rapid urbanization, the number of vehicles on the roads in Punjab is increasing and
is a major contributor to air pollution. Most of the vehicles run on fossil fuels, which release pollutants such
as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air. Poor fuel quality and outdated engine
technologies do not allow the clean burning of fossil fuels and cause vehicular pollution.
f. Transboundary Effects: Stubble burning has been reported to be among the major contributors of air pollution
especially in South Asia. Therefore, the ambient air quality of Punjab has a direct linkage with the practices in the
neighboring countries.
Pressures
The above identified drivers pose a number of pressures on the air quality of the ab, which are explained as follows:
a. Higher Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG): Every driver exerts multiple pressure on the air quality. But, every
driver, invariably results in a higher concentration of criteria pollutants especially particulate matter, and the
release of other GHG emissions.
b. Industrial Emissions: Industrial emissions insert multiple pressures on the ambient air quality. Including the
release of criteria pollutants as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Criteria air pollutants have negative impacts on
public health and the environment.
c. Vehicular Emissions: Air quality is exacerbated by adulterated fuel, lack of emission control devices such as
catalytic converters/diesel particulate filters, low-efficiency engines, and poorly maintained vehicle fleets etc.
d. Agriculture Related Emissions: Agricultural practices in Punjab are putting tremendous pressure on the ambient
air quality. The activities like stubble burning, fertilization, cattle farming, and the use of farm machinery and
tube wells release a significant amount of particulate matter and other GHG emissions into the air contributing to
poor air quality.
e. Dust Storms: The hot summer temperatures, ranging from 40-50°C, cause fine dust to rise into the atmosphere,
forming dust clouds/storms, which have a negative impact on air quality in the cities.

State
The state of the ambient air quality of the Punjab is as follows:
a. Poor Air Quality: All the major cities in Punjab experience poor air quality showing higher AQI values. The
Aerosol Optical Depth data reveals that particulate matter in the ambient air of Lahore remained high not only
throughout the year 2022 but similar was the trend for the last many years19. The average concentration of
Particulate Matter in Lahore is accounted as “unhealthy for sensitive groups”.
b. Climatic Changes: Pakistan has faced extreme climatic events in 2022 including both heat waves and torrential
rains ending up in the worst flash floods during the months of August to October.
c. Higher values of industrial emissions: Particulate matter of industrial gaseous emissions of Cement Plants,
Chemical Projects, Floor Mills, Furnaces, Lubricant Recycling Units, and Oil & fats, and Vegetable Ghee is not
in compliance with PEQS.
Impacts
The impacts of the drivers and pressures on ambient air quality in Punjab are as follows:
a. Impacts on life: Estimates of World Bank report Pakistan’s annual burden of disease from outdoor air pollution
to be responsible for around 22,000 premature adult deaths and 163,432 DALYs (disability-adjusted life years)20
. According to the data from Global Burden of Disease (GBD), exposure to PM2.5 had caused 103 deaths per
100,000 population in Pakistan in 201921 . The rate of deaths related to air pollution (including indoor pollution,
PM2.5 and ozone) in Pakistan is higher than the global average and is declining at a slower pace compared to other
regions22 . A WHO report shows that the exceeding levels of air pollution have resulted in the loss of 5.3 and 4.8
years of life expectancy from 1998-2016 among populations of Lahore and Faisalabad, respectively23.
19
https://epd.punjab.gov.pk/system/files/Smog%20commission%20report.pdf
20
Anjum, M. S., Ali, S. M., Subhani, M. A., Anwar, M. N., Nizami, A. S., Ashraf, U., & Khokhar, M. F. (2021). An emerged challenge
of air pollution and ever-increasing particulate matter in Pakistan; a critical review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 402, 123943. DOI:
10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123943
21
https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/746031566833355389/pdf/Opportunities-for-a-Clean-and-Green-Pakistan-A-Country-
Environmental-Analysis.pdf
22
https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/897001552661768639/pdf/135335-PN-P163618-PUBLIC-15-3-2019-16-1-53-PakEnv
ironmentalSustainabilityFinal.pdf
23
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/250141/9789241511353-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.

45
 b. Health Impacts: Extensive research has linked short-term, year-round and long-term exposure of particulate
matter to various health impacts. The health impacts of air pollution range from respiratory infections to chronic
diseases, and from serious discomfort to morbidity and premature mortality.24 Even such exposure may result in
death due to lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses25. A study in 2021 reported that elevated PM2.5 levels are
negatively affecting Pakistani population and the avoidable deaths attributed to ischemic heart disease and lung
cancer account to over 2 million people (2,773 for every 100,000 people) and the total cost related to this mortality
is estimated to be 1 billion USD26 .
c. Social Impacts: Elevated levels of fine particulate matter and ozone have been linked to increased levels of violent
crime, indicating a potential impact on aggressive behavior. Additionally, studies have identified a connection
between long-term exposure (over six months) to fine particulate matter and depression. Short-term exposure to
only nitrogen dioxide (excluding ozone, sulfur dioxide, or particulate matter) showed a positive association with
depression, which includes symptoms such as social withdrawal and isolation27.
d. Economic Impacts: A recent World Bank publication has reported that in individual countries, the economic
burden of pollution associated with premature mortality and morbidity is also significant accounting for 5-14%
of the countries' GDPs28. Each unit of PM2.5 results in a loss of 18.9 USD in GDP. Thus, the predicted economic
cost of air pollution in Pakistan is 47.8 billion USD, or 5.88% of GDP29. In Pakistan, generating 1 unit of PM 2.5
requires a GDP per capita of US$18.9, while in China, it is associated with US$145. The economic growth of
Pakistan continues to suffer from the health costs and reduced productivity caused by air pollution30 .
Responses
Following is a glimpse of various management practices being carried out for the betterment of air quality in the province.
These practices are mainly extracted from the Annual Development Program 2022-2337 related to the respective Government
Departments. The brief description is as follows:
a. Environment Protection Department is undertaking multiple initiatives regarding air quality management practices
which have been discussed in detail in Chapter 6 of this report.
b. Forest Wildlife and Fisheries Department are undertaking the afforestation/tree plantation, establishment of a
Forest Park, and establishment of an Endowment Fund for the development of allied infrastructures.
c. Industries, Commerce and Investment Department is undertaking the establishment of Industrial Estates, Cluster
Development, and Pilot/Demonstration Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production Investments in key industrial
sectors.
d. Transport Department is undertaking the procurement of eco-friendly urban buses for major cities of Punjab; and
the expansion of inspection and certification systems for motor vehicles.
e. Excise Taxation, and Narcotics Control Departments have started registration of electrical vehicles in Punjab.
f. Agriculture Department is undertaking the introduction of mechanized management of rice crop residues. Through
the provision of 10,000 Pak seeders, 10,000 rice straw choppers, and 500 rice combine harvesters to farmers/
service providers at a subsidized rate (60:40).
g. PHA Lahore is undertaking the development of Miyawaki urban forests in the different areas of Lahore City, tree
plantation campaigns, and tree-washing activities through water lorries.
h. Lahore Electric Supply Company is already expanding the smart grid system through the induction of (solar)
electric energy into the system by providing net metering connections to consumers on a regular basis within the
shortest possible time.
i. Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) is actively and effectively doing the activity of vacuum cleaning
at selected locations along three major roads of Lahore (Canal Road, Jail Road, and Ferozepur Road). Moreover,
LWMC through anti-smog squads is washing the main roads with mechanical washers.
j. Energy Department is undertaking the installation and provision of biogas plants/digesters, converting three Cities
of Punjab into solar smart cities, installation of solar power plants, setting up solar tube wells in water-logged
areas of Punjab, Improvement of energy efficiency in WASA systems, the establishment of waste to energy fund
to meet financial viability gap for waste to energy projects in Punjab, and development of lift irrigation systems
using solar energy. Furthermore, Energy Department is in the process of solarizing public sector buildings.
k. In addition to the above-mentioned initiatives, Energy Department is in the process of constructing an Energy
Resource Center which will be a net zero emission building for the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the Energy
Department. This building is going to be an energy-efficient building and will be Platinum LEED certified.
24
The World Bank, 2022, Striving for Clean Air, Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia, pp. 45
25
https://www.lung.org/getmedia/338b0c3c-6bf8-480f-9e6e-b93868c6c476/SOTA-2023.pdf
26
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e05968
27
https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-021-00761-8
28
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/pollution#1
29
https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/746031566833355389/pdf/Opportunities-for-a-Clean-and-Green-Pakistan-A-Country-
Environmental-Analysis.pdf
30
https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/897001552661768639/pdf/135335-PN-P163618-PUBLIC-15-3-2019-16-1-53-PakEn
vironmentalSustainabilityFinal.pdf
37
https://pnd.punjab.gov.pk/ADP202223

46
 Figure 2-13 DPSIR of Air Quality in Punjab

6. The Way Forward

Strengthening of regulatory framework: The AQI level of ambient air quality in the Punjab requires strengthening of
regulatory framework in the Province with introduction of Climate Change Policy, Clean Air Act, Punjab Clean Air Policy
with Phased Action Plan, Anti-Smog Rules and pollutant release and transfer register, etc.
Enhanced Air Quality Monitoring with apportionment studies: More air quality monitoring stations are required along
with carrying out source apportionment studies for identification of problems and for taking informed decisions.
Documentation of major air pollution sources: Documentation of major air pollution sources (with geo-tagging) and
compilation of ancillary dataset is required.
Industrial interventions: For industrial establishments certain interventions need to be carried out such as implementation
of resource efficiency and cleaner production technologies, introduction of carbon neutrality regime and financial assistance
to green micro-enterprises.
Controlling Vehicular Emissions: Many actions including increase in public transportation, strengthening of vehicular
inspection certification system, retiring excessively old vehicles and installation of catalytic converters/diesel particulate
filter, adoption of latest Euro Standards for vehicular emissions and vehicle manufacturing are required for the betterment
of air quality.
Certification, Labeling and Energy Conservation Standards: Energy Department may go for notification of certification
and labeling system for green/energy saving products, energy conservation standards for newly built urban buildings and
industrial establishments and energy saving renovation/retrofitting in existing buildings for improved energy efficiency.
Coordination for Air Shed Management: there is a need for better coordination at every tier to deal with the transboundary
air pollution issues and air shed management in the South Asia Region.

47
48
 CHAPTER 3 water Quality

1. OVERVIEW
Water is an essential resource to sustain life on Earth. It plays a crucial role in maintaining health of communities, economy
and ecosystems. The unique physicochemical characteristics of water render it indispensable for biological functions.
Access to safe and clean water supplies is critical for the socio-economic wellbeing of society as is also called for under
UN SDG 6 (ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all).

Pakistan, once a water surplus country, is presently facing numerous challenges related to both water quantity and quality.
The uneven distribution of water resources, climatic variability, population pressure, over-extraction of water for domestic,
agricultural and industrial needs and their ensuing pollution loads have affected both water quality and quantity (Figure
3-1).

Figure 3-1: Challenges to water resources in Punjab

KEY FINDINGS
Punjab is facing numerous challenges to water resources
Drains in Punjab have the poorest water quality
Population growth, rapid urbanization, unfettered
• The analysis revealed very poor water quality of drains,
industrialization, over-extraction/runoffs for agricultural
followed by poor quality of shallow groundwater and drinking
purposes along with climatic variability are the key challenges
water within the distribution network, whilst the quality was
putting pressure on water resources of Punjab.
moderate for drinking water at source (WASA tube wells), deep
groundwater and rivers in terms of tested parameters.
Indus River has the highest flow rate in Punjab • Due to high Arsenic (As) and coliform contamination, the
• Average flow rate (2022): 4.69 MAF quality of shallow groundwater is poor in Punjab but is ranked
• Maximum flow rate during a single month (2022): 14.75 moderate in case of deep groundwater. Drinking water quality
MAF (August) at source is also ranked as moderate because of the potential
hazard of Arsenic contamination (not tested by WASAs though
in the reported samples). The presence of E. Coli is addressed
Access to water resources relates to both their quality and quantity by WASAs through chlorination at source.
• Pakistan is fast transitioning to become a water scarce country. • Sugar mills, leather tanneries and textile industries are among
The water table in urban areas has drastically declined. Pakistan top polluters discharging untreated effluents in the surface water
would soon approach water scarcity level (<1 million cubic bodies with high levels of COD, BOD, TDS and pH beyond
meters per capita per annum). PEQS limits.
• Drinking water quality at source in big cities of Punjab
(Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore and Rawalpindi) generally
meets WHO standards except for Lahore and Gujranwala
where E. Coli contamination was sporadically found (in a few Different stakeholders are responsible for management of the
samples). quality and quantity of water resources
• Most of the common illnesses reported in Pakistan are due EPA Punjab, PCRWR, WASA, Irrigation Department, Local
to water-borne infections. PCRWR reported 69%, 38%, 21%, Government and Community Development Department and
20% and 12% bacteriological contamination in drinking water Agriculture Department are the key stakeholders engaged in
in Multan, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Shiekhupura and Lahore, water resource management in the province. These stakeholders
respectively. are taking a number of initiatives to manage water quality and
quantity in Punjab.

49
 Despite identification of aforementioned challenges, by and large, little realization and understanding of underlying issues
is rendered therein. Punjab, the most populous province of Pakistan (with 53% of country’s population), has access to
41% of national water resources and has the highest water use in the country. However, the water availability in Punjab
is constantly declining owing to its (largely) arid climate and unfettered use of freshwater resources. More than 80% of
available water resources are already in use, with irrigation/agriculture (90%) leading in total water withdrawals1. Demand
for water has drastically increased in recent times with growing population and declining groundwater resources. As a
consequence of these immense pressures on water resources, the quality has also deteriorated and the province is facing
serious water security challenges. Per capita freshwater availability, especially for drinking and domestic purposes, is
already at an all-time low. It is estimated (ADB; The World Bank) that we are fast transitioning from a water stress level
(<1.7 million cubic meters per capita per annum) to a water scarcity level (<1 million cubic meters per capita per annum).

Water table of freshwater/usable water in urban areas, especially in big cities, has drastically declined particularly in
the last few years. Moreover, most of the currently available water resource is already highly polluted, and is further
getting polluted due to multiple factors causing degradation of local/natural environment. The burgeoning population in
the rapidly urbanizing cities is putting immense pressures on freshwater resources. Moreover, unregulated dumping of
sewage, leachate contamination from poorly designed landfill sites, discharge of industrial effluents into the water ways and
agricultural runoffs add tons of harmful chemicals into the fresh water bodies (Figure 3-2).

Figure 3-2: Sources of water pollution

Poor water quality and contaminants there in have been known for causing significant negative impacts on the nation’s
health. Most of the common diseases that affect public health at large result from consumption of contaminated drinking
water as documented by Planning Commission, Government of Pakistan2. Access to safe and clean drinking water and
1
FAO (2020) AQUASTAT. Pakistan: agricultural water withdrawal. Available at: http://www.fao.org/nr/water/aquastat/data/query/
results.html
2
Pakistan 2025 – One Nation-One Vision, Planning Commission, Ministry of Planning Development & Reforms, Government of
Pakistan.

50
sanitation facilities is a basic human right, and is critical to promote public health as envisioned in the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs 3 and 6). Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2017-18 showed that most of the households
in Punjab have access to improved drinking water sources in sufficient quantity at their premises.

The risk of E. Coli contamination in drinking water is high in Punjab3. With regards to water quality, PCRWR reported that
51% of the drinking water sources in Punjab are ‘unsafe’ (comparatively worse than during 2002-06 and 2010-15 studies)4.
The incidence of bacterial contamination is high in major cities of Punjab (including Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Sargodha
and Sheikhupura), thereby indicating increase in disease burden resulting from waterborne infections. Although access to
‘safe’ water increased from 31% (2015) to 39% (2020) (based on samples tested), however, consumption of ‘unsafe’ water
poses a significant health risk in the form of onset of diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, skeletal and dental fluorosis,
methemoglobinemia and even cancer5. Another study reported that agriculture water deprivation and use of wastewater
for irrigation has led to malnutrition, loss of income and increase in water-related diseases in Punjab6. The rural-urban
differences in the availability of clean water, sanitation and hygiene indicators are presented in Figure 3-3. A USAID study
undertaken in Kasur district found that 87% of the health-related costs in the region were directly attributable towards water
quality aspects. The total economic cost of water and sanitation, floods and droughts in the country is estimated to be 4% of
the national GDP (US$ 12 billion/year). The Government of the Punjab, cognizant of the need for strategic investments in
the WASH sector, allocated a budget of PKR 41,405 million for this sector during 2019-20 for its development.

Figure 3-3: Rural-urban difference in the drinking water, sanitation and hygiene indicators of Punjab
(Source: Government of the Punjab, 2019)

3
Government of the Punjab (2019). Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), Punjab 2017-2018. Punjab Bureau of Statistics Planning
& Development Board Government of the Punjab, pp. 247, 253, 257 and 259
4
Hifza, Fauzia, Kiran and Ashraf (2021). Drinking Water Quality in Pakistan: Current Status and Challenges. Pakistan Council of
Research in Water Resources (PCRWR). Based on a sample study of 29 cities across Pakistan in 2020
5
National Academies Press (US) 2009. Global Environmental Health: Research Gaps and Barriers for Providing Sustainable Water,
Sanitation, and Hygiene Services: Workshop Summary. Institute of Medicine (US) Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences,
Research, and Medicine. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK50774/>
6
Mikosch, Berger, Huber &Finkbeiner (2021). Assessing local impacts of water use on human health: evaluation of water footprint
models in the Province Punjab, Pakistan. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (26). Springer

51
 2. ENVIRONMENT
2.1 Surface water resources
The surface water resources of Pakistan are primarily dependent on the flows of the Indus River and its various tributaries.
The total length of the Indus River is 2,900 km draining an area of 966,000 km2. Five major tributaries namely Chenab,
Sutlej, Jhelum, Ravi and Beas join Indus from eastern side while minor tributaries such as Soan, Siran and Harow drain
mountainous areas. Additionally, Indus is also joined by a number of small tributaries from its western side, the largest of
which is Kabul River (Figure 3-4)7.

Figure 3-4: Irrigation and river network of Punjab

During year 2022, the Punjab Irrigation Department calculated flow of rivers Indus, Jhelum, Chenab and Kabul at Rim
Stations. The maximum flow of Indus River was 14.75 MAF during the month of August. River Kabul recorded the lowest
flow in February. The average flow of the rivers in 2022 was in the order of Indus > Chenab > Kabul > Jhelum with averages
4.69, 1.78, 1.58 and 1.35 MAF respectively (Figure 3-5).

Figure 3-5: Average monthly flows of major river in Punjab (MAF)

2.2 Surface water quality
The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) routinely monitors the quality of water channels throughout
the country through investigations of biochemical and physical characteristics. This entails sample-based monitoring of
rivers, drains and groundwater (for both shallow and deep sample extractions). The ensuing analysis is based on water
quality data from their monitoring network in Punjab for the duration ranging from January to November, 2022.
7
http://pakirsa.gov.pk/images/Punjab-IRSA.jpg

52
Assessment of surface water quality
There are no surface water quality monitoring stations installed within the EPD monitoring space, at the moment the,
data was sourced from PCRWR for the purpose of this report. Similarly, limited standards for surface water quality are
available for Punjab, therefore, international irrigation water quality standards (FAO, etc.) were used in their stead.

Rivers and Drains: PCRWR provided water quality data for the rivers Ravi and Sutlej, and 8 drains that flow into these
two Eastern rivers. For the river Sutlej, samples were taken from one location, and for the river Ravi, samples were taken
from three locations (Lahore Siphon, Manga Mandi and Checha Watni). To assess the water quality of rivers and drains for
irrigation purposes (being the dominant use of surface water), the results of the water quality parameters were compared
with FAO standards8 (for pH, TDS, NO3--N and Cl-), USEPA limits (for turbidity), and Water and Power Development
Authority limits (for EC and SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio) (ICARDA manual)9).
The results showed that all drains and rivers samples reported pH levels that were within the acceptable ranges set forth
by the FAO for irrigation water quality (Figure 3-6 a). Two drains (Rangy Wala and Madvana drains) had salinity levels
that were hazardous, whereas all rivers and majority of the drains had salinity levels that were either useable or marginal
(Figure 3-6 b). No sodicity threat was detected in the rivers and drains tested as evidenced by the SAR levels being within
the useable range (Figure 3-6 c). While most of the drains and both rivers had low levels of TDS and NO3--N, indicating that
they could be used for irrigation, Madvana, Rangy Wala, and Sukhrawa drains had relatively high levels, indicating severe
restrictions on using such water for irrigation (Figures 3-6 d & e). Except for the Madvana, Sukhrawa and Rangy Wala
drains, where moderate to severe restrictions in the use of water for irrigation are advised owing to high levels of chlorides
therein (Figure 3-6 f), no restrictions in the use of surface water (both rivers and most drains) for irrigation purposes due
to chlorides was advised. Madvana, Sukhrawa and Rangy Wala drains also reported significant levels of hardness, whereas
the hardness quality of remaining drains and rivers was ascribed as intermediate and soft respectively (Figure 3-6 g). All
drains had high levels of turbidity with a cloudy appearance, whereas rivers had relatively low levels of turbidity (with a
light cloudy appearance) (Figure 3-6 h). Both rivers reported low BOD and COD values, but all drains had very high levels,
indicating considerable pollution load inflows from multiple sources (Figure 3-6 i & j). In this context, secondary data
sources/studies too narrate that excessive quantities of heavy metals, BOD, COD, NO3--N, and TDS have severely degraded
the river water quality in Punjab10,11. Using both primary and secondary data, it was determined that the water quality of
rivers in Punjab was ‘moderate’ for irrigation purposes but ‘very poor’ for drains.

It is significant to note that PCRWR conducts monthly assessments of surface water quality indicators for their reporting
purposes. This report relates an (averaged) snapshot of water quality indicators in this regard. In addition, it is important to
measure discharge flow rates as well since quality depends upon both pollutant concentrations and flow rates, allowing for
a more thorough evaluation of the pollution load and its transportation (and reach) impact.

8
https://www.fao.org/3/t0234e/T0234E01.htm
9
Rayan, J., Estefan, G., Rashid, A. Soil and Plant Analysis Manual. 2nd Edition. ICARDA, Syria & NARC, Pakistan
10
Iqbal, Shoaib, Agwanda and Lee (2018). Modeling Approach for Water-Quality Management to Control Pollution Concentration: A
Case Study of Ravi River, Punjab, Pakistan. Water, 10(8). MDPI. <https://doi.org/10.3390/w10081068>
11
Naz et al (2022). Water quality and health risk assessment of trace elements in surface water at Punjnad Headworks, Punjab, Pakistan.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, v. 29. Springer. <https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20210-4>
53
54
Figure 3-6: Surface water quality of rivers and drains in Punjab.

55
 Effluent characteristics: During 2022, various EPA laboratories conducted monitoring of wastewater samples to
assess pressures on water resources in Punjab. Most assessments were conducted by EPA laboratories in Lahore and
Faisalabad. Industrial effluents were found to be a leading cause of water pollution in Punjab with a major contribution
coming from textile factories, sugar mills and leather tanneries, etc. The monitoring results showed that effluents from
textile factories had slightly higher pH values than PEQS (Figure 3-7 a). The level of chlorides was approximately 40 times
higher in the case of tanneries, 7 times in case of petroleum oil fields and twice for textile dyeing and lubricant recycling
units than the limits prescribed by PEQS (Figure 3-7 b). Higher values of BOD5, COD, and Total Dissolved Solids, Total
Suspended Solids and Sulfide were recorded for the effluents from most of the industries; sugar mills reported the highest
values therein. Textile effluents had 6 times higher values of sulphates than PEQS (Figures 3-7 c-h). Overall, sugar mills,
tanneries and textile industries were discharging effluents in the surface water bodies with high levels of pollutants (COD,
BOD, TDS and pH) beyond PEQS limits.

Page number 56-57

pH Chloride (mg/l)
pH PEQS (6) PEQS (9) 45000 PEQS: 1000 mg/l
14 40000
12 35000 Cl
10 30000
25000
8 20000
6 15000
4 10000
5000
2 0
0

a b

BOD (mg/l) 35000 COD (mg/l)

20000
30000
PEQS: 10 mg/l COD PEQS (150 mg/l)
15000 25000
20000
10000 BOD 15000
10000
5000 5000
0
0

c d

4000 Sulfate (mg/l) 60 Sulfide (mg/l)

3500 50
3000
2500 Sulfate PEQS (600 mg/l) 40 Sulfide PEQS (1 mg/l)
2000 30
1500 20
1000
10
500
0 0

e f

56
 Total Dissolved Solids (mg/1) Total Suspended Solids (mg/1)

Figure 3-7: Effluent characteristics of various industries operating in Punjab

2.3 Groundwater Resources

Groundwater supplies 70% of the domestic and
50% of the agriculture water in Pakistan. It is a
life sustaining resource, but unregulated pumping
is resulting in drying up of wells and depletion of
aquifers in Punjab. Other threats such as seepage
of industrial wastewater and domestic sewage
into groundwater are two of the leading causes of
contamination thereof.12
2.4 Groundwater quality
Groundwater sampling and testing thereof was
carried out by PCRWR near each of the above 8
drains. In total 16 venues of groundwater were
selected for monthly sampling, 8 each from shallow
(up to 150 ft. deep, usually via hand pumps) and
deep groundwater (beyond 350 ft. deep, usually via
tube wells) (Figure 3-8).

Figure 3-8: Sampling locations of shallow and deep

groundwater in Punjab
At various locations sampled across Punjab in year 2022, the quality of shallow groundwater was poor compared to the
deep groundwater with a larger number of parameters exceeding the prescribed limits. Higher values of alkalinity, turbidity
and arsenic were found for both shallow and groundwater. The level of turbidity remained high in 5 out of 8 shallow
groundwater samples. The level of arsenic in groundwater was within the permissible limits of PEQS, however, most of
the samples exceeded the limits prescribed in WHO guidelines (with up to 367 times higher values in shallow groundwater
near Shahdara drain) (Figure 3-9). Coliforms (total, fecal and E. Coli) were also detected in the groundwater samples
(Figure 3-10). The level of Electrical Conductivity (EC) in all the samples was found below the limits prescribed in the
WHO guidelines, except for Madvana drain (shallow groundwater sample). Hardness, pH, Nitrate as Nitrogen (NO3--N)
and TDS at all locations remained well below the limits (Figures 3-11 & 3-12).
12
The World Bank (2021). Managing Groundwater Resources in Pakistan’s Indus Basin. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/
feature/2021/03/25/managing-groundwater-resources-in-pakistan-indus-basin

57
 Arsenic (µg/L)
Permissible limit: PEQS (50 µg/L)
40.00 WHO limit (10 µg/L)
35.00
30.00
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
Haydara Rangy Wala Shahdra Babu Sabu Khudpur Sukhrawa Madvana Upper
Drain Laloo Drain Drain Drain Drain Drain Drain (Toba Chenab
(Kasur) (Lahore) (Lahore) (Sahiwal) Tek Singh) Drain
(Sharqpur)

c Shallow Deep WHO

Figure 3-9: Level of (a) alkalinity, (b) Turbidity and (c) Arsenic in the groundwater samples

58
 Figure 3-10: Microbial quality of shallow and deep groundwater in Punjab
Average values of alkalinity, HCO3, EC, Ca, SO4, Cl-, Hardness, Mg, As, pH, K, Na, TDS, Turbidity, NO3-N, BOD,
COD, TC, FC. and E. Coli for rivers, drains and groundwater samples are given in Annexure V.

59
 Figure 3-11: Water quality of the shallow and deep groundwater in Punjab

60
 Nitrate as Nitrogen (NO3--N) (mg/L)

Figure 3-12: Level of NO3--N and TDS in the groundwater of Punjab

* The permissible limit of NO3--N has been derived from the PEQS limit for Nitrates (50 mg/L) by multiplying it with (14 ⁄ 62)
Secondary data sources also reported higher concentrations of arsenic and fluoride in shallow groundwater of Lahore but
free from fluoride in deep water. Similarly, in Rawalpindi, around 50% of the samples were found contaminated with
bacteria. Overall, in Punjab, around 11% and 96% of the groundwater samples were found unsafe for drinking in Sialkot
and Bahawalpur cities respectively.

2.5 Drinking water quality of Punjab

In Punjab, around 69.4% of the population has access to improved water sources within their premises. This percentage is
higher in rural areas (74.6%) compared to urban areas (60.1%). On the other hand, the availability of piped water supply in
Punjab stands at 19.3%. Piped water supply is more prevalent in urban areas (29.3%), while its accessibility is lower in rural
areas (13.1%) . A recent drinking water quality assessment carried out by WASAs in four big cities of Punjab – Gujranwala,
Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad – reported on service delivery of WASAs within these cities. The assessment therein is
presented in Table 3-1.
13
Groundwater in Pakistan’s Indus Basin: Present and Future Prospects. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/
publication/6aaa5fb6-f7ce-5bc6-9e36-edafb15fbbc9
14
https://hudphed.punjab.gov.pk/system/files/3%20Punjab%20Water%2C%20Sanitation%20%26%20Hygiene%20%28Sector%20
Status%20Report%202019%29.pdf

61
 Table 3-1: Water and sanitation service indicators of WASA in four major cities of Punjab15,16,17

Table 3-2 presents the source spread of drinking water service supplies within housing units18 in Punjab19.

Table 3-2: Housing units by source of drinking water

(17 million households as per 2017 Housing Census)

Graphical representation of physical, chemical and biological analyses of drinking water samples carried out by WASA
during 2022 in three major cities of Punjab is presented in Figure 3-13. In District Gujranwala, drinking water samples were
collected at source (tube-wells) and from consumers. With regards to color, taste, odor, physical and chemical parameters,
94% of samples were found fit (within the permissible limits of PEQS and WHO) for consumption while only 6% samples
had E. Coli contamination. The incidence of E. Coli might have resulted from seepage of sewage into the deteriorated
water pipelines. The samples from Lahore district were colorless, tasteless and odorless and were fit for consumption while
only 3% were contaminated with E. Coli. This shows that at source drinking water quality was good but deteriorated at
consumer due to pipeline leakage. The water quality parameters from District Rawalpindi and Faisalabad were within the
permissible limits.

15
https://www.wasag.org.pk/content/wasag/about.html
16
https://wasa.punjab.gov.pk/infodesk_watersupply
17
http://wasafaisalabad.gop.pk/Home/WaterService
18
A housing unit consisted of approximately 6.4 persons. Data is also classified on the basis of whether the service is located within the
household premises or outside.
19
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (2017). Population Census 2017. Available at <https://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/brief-census-2017>

62
 Figure 3-13: Drinking water quality of the major cities of Punjab
Secondary data sources also indicated higher bacteriological contamination and arsenic in major cities of Punjab (Table
3-3) 20.The incidence of bacterial and arsenic contamination was the highest in the case of Multan while drinking water of
Sialkot city was found free of these contaminants.

Table 3-3: Characteristics of drinking water sources for consumption (PCRWR, 2020)

3. OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Summarily, the overall quality of water in rivers is rated as ‘moderate’ (for irrigation purposes as the dominant use thereof)
while it is rated as ‘Very Poor’ for drains due to the high pollution load. Quality of shallow and deep groundwater in
Punjab is rated as ‘Poor’ and ‘Moderate’ respectively for drinking purposes. The drinking water quality at source is rated
as ‘Moderate’ whilst it is rated as ‘Poor’ for the distribution network due to presence of Arsenic and E. Coli; the rest of the
parameters meet the permissible limits set by PEQS.

Hifza, R., Fauzia. A., Kiran, A., and M. Ashraf (2021). Drinking Water Quality in Pakistan: Current Status and Challenges. Pakistan
20

Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Islamabad <http://pcrwr.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Drinking-Water-

Quality-in-Pakistan-2021.pdf>
21
Water quality at ‘source’ means quality of water at WASA Tube-wells/Canals before it is pumped into the supply lines/distribution
network.

63
 Water Quality Assessment

4. MANAGEMENT
The government can address water quality issues through enactment and promulgation of appropriate, requisite legal acts
and policies related to water safeguards, conservation and sustainability. Laws including PEPA, 1997 and environmental
quality standards need to be updated in line with modern requirements from governance and regulatory standpoints. A
further aspect in this regard is enforcement of the promulgated laws, whereby appropriate legal actions can be taken against
environmental polluters/violators therein. Both the public and private sector can play a proactive role through adoption
of best water management practices, relating to both treatment and conservation. Appropriate implementation of these,
especially the latter, can significantly help in assuring better water quality in the province.
4.1. Regulatory framework
A regulatory framework regarding water is available in the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (XXXIV of 1997).
In addition to “environment” and “pollution”, the keyword “effluent” has also been defined § 2(viiii) of the Act ibid.
Environmental quality standards for the municipal and industrial effluents and drinking water have already been notified
by EPA, Punjab. However, the agency has to establish standards for specific effluents under this regulatory framework; this
includes for both general/universal standards and those that are intended for specific industries.

64
4.2. Water Quality Management Practices
Government departments, through their Annual Development Programs, undertake various projects for the management
and conservation of water resources. Some of the key projects included in ADP-2022-23 regarding water management are
summarized in Table 3-4.

Table 3-4: Initiatives taken by government departments in Punjab for water quality management

65
 5. DPSIR FRAMEWORK
The DPSIR Framework for water resource management system in Punjab (Figure 3-14) identifies the challenges and
requisite responses as follows
Drivers
The rapid urbanization with recent proliferation of housing schemes, especially in the big cities, unplanned industrialization
(resulting in excessive water usage) and conventional agricultural practices have placed immense pressure on the availability
of water resources. The burgeoning population in our cities and poor agricultural practices on the rural side has caused
decline in the water table.
Pressures
Inappropriate agricultural and industrial practices lead to resource wastage thereby affecting per capita water availability.
Polluting factors, in particular those owing to untreated sewage from municipal sources, untreated effluents from industries
and agricultural runoffs also place pressure on availability of freshwater resources. Industries discharge huge volume of
effluents into the nearby water bodies thus affecting their overall quality.
State
Coupled with the water scarcity challenges, Punjab is also dealing with poor quality of the drains and aquifers. All of these
factors have deteriorated the overall quality of life (human and natural ecosystems). Release of heavy metals (such as
Arsenic) can travel through food chain and pose health impacts. The freshwater resources are also subject to degradation
due to deforestation, runoff and water logging leading to ecological ramifications.
Impacts
Per capita availability of water in Punjab is declining and soon the province will touch water scarcity level. The current
water stress level has already put pressure on food and water security in Punjab. Compounded with these factors, the level
of water pollution has increased burden of disease in the province. The nation is fighting with these challenges which are
affecting their health and socioeconomic wellbeing.
Response
Proactive measures on the legal and policy making side are the need of the hour for appropriate management of the water
resources in Punjab. Enactment of the appropriate legal frameworks (laws and policies) can help in safeguarding water
resources. A requisite legal framework against polluters/violators can further help in protecting the quantity and quality
of the resource. Better water management practices related to conservation and treatment of effluents before disposal can
reduce the pollution load and associated environmental costs.

Figure 3-14: DPSIR framework of water quality in Punjab

66
6. THE WAY FORWARD
The progress of government in providing or assuring access to safe water supplies is slow due to multiple factors including
lack of real time monitoring data, institutional capacity and adequate mechanism, research, awareness and transparency
in use of resources22. Therefore, following interventions can help in ensuring sustainability of water resources in the
province:
Water Monitoring System: A well-coordinated, evidence-based monitoring system is needed at provincial level to provide
real-time spatiotemporal trends of water quality for rivers, drains, groundwater and effluent discharges. This will help in
problem identification and to make informed decisions regarding their resolution and enhancing quality thereof. Currently,
drinking water quality monitoring at the end of EPA Punjab is scanty and needs to be strengthened.
Environmental Legislation: Promulgation and enforcement of water and related environmental legislations is required
including development of comprehensive water quality standards for drinking, irrigation, wastewater (municipal, industrial
and agriculture) and recreational water.
Sustainable Institutional Mechanism: Sustainable institutional mechanisms to be developed for watershed management
and strengthening pollution control system at inter-provincial and trans-boundary levels focusing on water security,
conservation and treatment before discharge (‘Zero Liquid Discharge’ policy). Geo-tagging and compilation of the ancillary
dataset regarding water pollution sources is also required.
Improving the Water Quality: Additionally, prioritize the treatment of water and wastewater, as well as the reclamation
of waterlogged areas. Installing wastewater treatment plants in the industrial establishments shall further help in reducing
pollution loads. For betterment of the water quality, every municipality must install a wastewater treatment plant whenever
a new disposal station is going to be built.
Construction of Water Infrastructure: Construction of more water infrastructure in Punjab and maintain existing one to
safeguard water security, avoid flooding and enhancing electricity generation.
Safe Drinking Water: Initiatives to be taken to ensure access to adequate and safe drinking water in the province and
promoting aquifer recharge. There is a dire need to construct underground storm/rain water recharge galleries in public as
well as private establishments. Further, relevant authorities (like WASAs, municipal authorities) shall go for water metering
for every (domestic and industrial) connections.
Revision of PEQS: There is a need to revise PEQS for municipal and industrial effluents by incorporating ‘requisite
missing indicators’ into the standards and delineating industry-specific environmental quality standards for key polluting
industries.

22
Hifza, Fauzia, Kiran and Ashraf (2021). Drinking Water Quality in Pakistan: Current Status and Challenges. Pakistan Council of
Research in Water Resources (PCRWR)

67
68
 CHAPTER 4 soil Quality

1. OVERVIEW
The term ‘Soil’ has a Latin origin ‘Solum’ meaning ‘floor’. It’s a unique non-renewable natural resource necessary to
sustain life on this planet. In agroecosystems, good quality soil refers to its ability to sustain the growth of crops while at
the same time maintaining environmental quality1.

Good quality soil provides plants with all the required essential minerals, organic matter, and microbial communities and
facilitates better aeration and infiltration. The essential minerals are classified into macronutrients and micronutrients based
on the quantities required by plants. The macronutrients include Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S),
Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg) which plants require in large quantities. Micronutrients include Iron (Fe), Chlorine
(Cl), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), Nickle (Ni), and Molybdenum (Mo) which are required in trace amounts to
carry various plant processes2. The physical and chemical characteristics of soil such as pH, temperature, organic content,
minerals, water holding capacity, and soil aggregation are the essential parameters determining soil processes including
fertility, drainage, erosion, and salinity3. 56% of total geographical area is cultivated in Punjab4, which is mainly attributed
to its rich, fertile alluvial soils and diverse irrigation system.

KEY FINDINGS

Punjab has fertile alluvial soils

In Punjab 56% of total geographical area is cultivated, which is mainly
attributed to its rich, fertile alluvial soils and diverse irrigation system.

Soil salinity is high at some places in Punjab

All the tested soil samples exhibited high values of sodium. The higher
values of EC (>15 mS/cm) were predominantly found in industrial areas of
the selected districts.

The soils of Punjab have low organic matter content

• Salinity induced land degradation has resulted in an annual loss of over 2326
million USD in selected regions of Punjab in the cropping year 2012-2013.
• The soils of Punjab are low in organic matter (0-1% in most areas),
mainly due to extreme summer temperatures, use of inorganic fertilizers,
and intensive tillage, and is subject to a further decline, if not managed
adequately, in wake of climate change and conventional farm practices.

The physical and hydraulic properties of soil are related to topography

The soils of Doabs (plains) have low infiltration rates and uniform moisture
retention than soils of Potwar Plateau which is related to site topography and
disturbance (erosion).

Stakeholder involvement in managing soil resources of Punjab

Agriculture Department, Forest Department and Soil Survey authorities
are major stakeholders active in soil and land management practices across
Punjab.

In Punjab, there is paucity of data regarding the sources of soil pollution. However, a number of factors have been recognized
to be responsible for deteriorating soil quality such as sewage and industrial discharges, leachate contamination from
landfill sites, deposition of air pollutants in soil and unsustainable agricultural practices (Figure 4-2 and 4-3). Over the time,
human activities and the geological factors, such as the extensive canal irrigation system along Indus Basin, irrigation of
land with saline underground water, etc., have led to soil contamination and land degradation (water logging and salinity),
respectively. The issues have further been discussed in detail in upcoming sections. The deteriorated soil quality has also
resulted in adverse environmental and economic impacts.

1
https://aari.punjab.gov.pk/iso_rsfri
2
Shahid, M., Awan, M., &Hussain, K. (2013). Mineralogy of major soils of Punjab (Pakistan) by X-ray diffraction. Int J AgricSci, 2,
265-272.
3
Rogers et al, Important Agricultural Soil Properties, Irrigation Management Series
4 Land Utilization Statistics, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics

69
 Figure 4-2 Sources of contaminants in soil

Figure 4-3 Sources of heavy metals contamination in soil

70
2. ENVIRONMENT
2.1 Assessment of soil quality
Soil quality is assessed on the basis of multiple parameters such as its organic content, heavy metal contamination, water
holding capacity, porosity and alkalinity. Similarly, multiple phenomena are taken into consideration to assess land
degradation resulting from water logging and salinity, erosion and heavy metals contamination. For the purpose of this
report, soil quality of some representative locations in Punjab was assessed using primary and secondary data sources.
Measurement of heavy metals, salinity and fertility parameters was done by an EPA certified laboratory. Data on soil
organic content and physical and hydraulic properties was collected from secondary data sources.

2.1.1 Salinity, fertility parameters and heavy metals

Soil samples from urban, industrial and agriculture soils of 9 districts of Punjab were tested for pH, Electrical Conductivity
(EC), heavy metals (Chromium, Copper, Lead and Nickel) and soil fertility parameters (Zinc, Iron, Manganese and
Sodium). There are no environmental quality standards or limits available / developed in Punjab to assess the soil quality
parameters except the classification developed by Water and Power Development Authority for salinity and sodicity (1981).
Figures 4-4 to 4-6 show the quality of agriculture, urban and industrial soils in the selected districts of Punjab. It is pertinent
to mention that the agricultural soils selected for assessment were not irrigated with industrial wastewater. The pH range of
all soil types across the selected districts was around neutral. Electrical Conductivity (EC) (mS/cm) of was assessed on the
basis of WAPDA’s classes of soil salinity. EC of the agricultural soils was found as non-saline (< 4) for most of the districts
while slightly saline (4 – 8) in case of Khushab, Mianwali and Rawalpindi districts. Lahore, Faisalabad and Kasur districts
had strongly saline (>15 mS/cm) industrial soils while EC of all other districts in this soil type was found to be slightly
saline. The urban soils of Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Multan districts were moderately saline (8-15 mS/cm) while
slight soil salinity was recorded for Khushab, Mianwali and Rawalpindi districts.

Figure 4-4 pH (a) and EC (b) in three soil types of selected districts in Punjab

71
 Though the soil salinity has become a trend all over the country (on about 6.3 million hectares5), the issue has become
graver in Punjab, where 75% of irrigation is based on groundwater, with 50% of the pumped water being saline and unfit
for irrigation purposes6. The groundwater has lost its purity over time and most of it has now become saline and turbid
due to multiple factors, The irrigation of agricultural soils with alkaline groundwater is adversely affecting the soil quality
and threatening the sustainability of irrigated lands. A study conducted on economic impacts of such land degradation
indicates an annual loss of over 2326 million USD in selected areas of Punjab i.e., Cotton-Wheat, Rice-Wheat and Mixed
crops regions during the cropping year 2012-20137. The results from primary data collected on soil quality for the purposes
of this report also confirm the high electrical conductivity values in the soil samples indicating the presence of higher
concentrations of soluble salts in them.

The salinity in Punjab has mostly been caused by the development of canal irrigation system in the Indus plains. The Indus
River and its tributaries serve as Punjab's main water supply for canal irrigation. The salts brought in by the rivers and their
tributaries are estimated at 23 million tons (Mt) annually causing salts to build up in the soil over time, raising salinity
levels8. The cost of inaction in underperforming degraded lands, such as salt-affected soils, is estimated to be a 15–69% loss
in revenue, depending on factors like the crops planted, the severity of land degradation, and the degree of water quality
deterioration, among others9.

In addition, the excessive use of irrigation water by the farmers also leads to secondary salinity. High water table due to
side seepage from extensive, unlined canals and poor drainage have led to waterlogging issues in the irrigated lands of
Indus plains. Such challenges faced by irrigated lands in the province have resulted in economic losses due to lower yields
and inefficient use of water. However, the government and farmer community, being gradually more and more aware of the
negative consequences of land degradation, are adopting multiple engineering, reclamation and bio-chemical management
interventions to combat salinity and waterlogging issues across Pakistan10.

The level of sodium (Na) in all soil types were in the range of 430-2571 mg/kg except for industrial soils of District Kasur
where Na levels were comparatively low (269 mg/kg). Most of the soils have adequate levels of Mn and Fe (following
ICARDA Manual)11(Figure 4-5).

Agricultural

5
Ishfaq, M. 2017. Perspectives of Salt-Affected Soils in Pakistan. Rizing Nation.1.
6
Punjab Economic Research Institute, 2016
7
Punjab Economic Research Institute, 2016 (https://peri.punjab.gov.pk/system/files/Economimcs%20of%20Land%20Degrdation.pdf )
8 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378377407002429
9 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-037X.2008.00350.x
10
Qureshi, A.S.; Perry, C. Managing Water and Salt for Sustainable Agriculture in the Indus Basin of Pakistan. Sustainability 2021, 13,
5303. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095303
11
Rayan, J., Estefan, G., Rashid, A. Soil and Plant Analysis Manual. 2nd Edition. ICARDA, Syria & NARC, Pakistan.

72
Agricultural

Agricultural

Agricultural

Figure 4-5 Soil fertility status of different soil types in Punjab

73
 Heavy metals concentration was compared with Australian standards12. Heavy metal concentrations in all soil types from
the selected districts were within the limits (Figure 4-6).

The soils in agricultural land irrigated with industrial wastewater may contain significant levels of heavy metals that bio-
accumulate in plants and travel in the food chain posing serious health threats to the consumers. A study was conducted
on the soils irrigated with industrial wastewater and plants grown on such soils in Southern Punjab, which indicates that
although the average value of heavy metals such as aluminum, arsenic, chromium, iron, etc. in soil were within permissible
limits set by WHO or FAO, however, the transfer of these metals from soil to the plants was significantly evident and the
concentrations of chromium, nickel, manganese and lead were beyond the standards in the plant samples due to biological
magnification13.

In a study conducted in District Faisalabad, 79 samples from ornamental, flowering and tree plant form landscape and
green belt areas were collected during year 2021 and analyzed for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). It was observed
that 96% of ornamental plants sampled in the areas irrigated with industrial wastewater were found contaminated with
cadmium, 56% were contaminated with lead and Nickle was found in 41% of the samples when compared with permissible
limits14. Another study conducted in District Kasur illustrated that the concentrations of Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper and
Lead were 22.65 mg/kg, 4.375 mg/kg, 22.8 mg/kg and 32.80 mg/kg respectively, all being beyond the permissible limits of
World Health Organization (WHO)15.

Agricultural

12
He, Z., Shentu, J., Yang, X., Baligar, V. C., Zhang, T., &Stoffella, P. J. (2015). Heavy metal contamination of soils: sources,
indicators and assessment.
13
Atta, M. I. et al., 2023. Amassing of heavy metals in soils, vegetables and crop plants irrigated with wastewater: Health risk
assessment of heavy metals in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan Front. Plant Sci., 16 January 2023 Sec. Plant Nutrition. Volume 13 –
2022 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1080635
14
Annual Abridged Report 2021-2022, Institute of Soil Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute,
Faisalabad.
15
Ashraf, I., Ahmad, F., Sharif, A. et al. Heavy metals assessment in water, soil, vegetables and their associated health risks via
consumption of vegetables, District Kasur, Pakistan. SN Appl. Sci. 3, 552 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04547-y

74
 Agricultural

Agricultural

Agricultural

Figure 4-6 Heavy metal concentration in different soil types in Punjab

75
 2.1.2 Total organic matter
Organic matter is a critical factor for soil fertility, water-holding capacity, and improving soil structure. It provides plants
with essential nutrients, increases porosity, is a substrate for soil microbes (decomposers), and is significant with reference
to nutrient cycling. Based on secondary data sources, the soils of Punjab are generally deficient in organic matter, with
only 0-1% found in most of the areas16. The reasons for low soil organic matter content relates to high summer temperature
that favors the growth of microorganisms converting organic nutrients into inorganic forms. The use of inorganic/synthetic
fertilizers and poor agricultural practices such as intensive tillage also reduce soil organic matter.
Secondary data depicts that the organic content of soil is declining especially in the dry land regions of Punjab. In these areas
the farmers use intense farming practices due to limitations related to rainfall, soil stability and fertility. Furthermore, more
tillage practices and lack of crop rotation practices decrease the soil organic content in drylands of Punjab17. Moreover, a
further decrease in soil organic matter content is implicit, pertaining to the elevating temperatures and heavy rains resulting
from climate change.18,19

2.1.3 Physical and hydraulic properties

Soil physical and hydraulic properties play considerable role in determining fertility and quality of soil. PCRWR conducted
a study n 2019, wherein, two representative sites from Punjab (Doabs and Potwar Plateau) were selected for the assessment
of soil organic matter, texture, moisture retention and infiltration rate. Major districts that encompass the Doabs region and
Potwar Plateau include Chakwal, Jhelum, Attock, Rawalpindi, Layyah, Khushab, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Mandi-Bahauddin,
Gujrat, Muzaffargarh, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Khanewal, Narowal, Sialkot, Nankana Sahib, Okara, Toba Tek
Singh, Multan, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Lahore and Kasur.20

2.1.4 Infiltration rates

Soils of Doabs region in Punjab show up to 30 mm/hr infiltration rate which is lower than Potwar region (15-45 mm/hr).
Doabs are intensively ploughed for agriculture resulting in compaction of clay layer below the ploughed soil. The surface
pores are blocked hence erosion is also less in these areas. Topography also plays an important role in determining the
erosion rates and Doabs having less degree of slope are comparatively less prone to erosion (Figure 4-7).

16
Annual Detailed Report, Annual Detailed Report 2019-20 Institute of Soil Chemistry & Environmental Sciences, Ayub Agricultural
Research Institute Faisalabad; and Syed, R.M.A.; Shahida, H.; Muhammad, M.W.; and Farkhanda, J. Distribution of Soil Texture,
Organic Matter, Nitrogen and Phosphorous Under Farm Plantations in Various Agro- Ecological Zones of Punjab, Pakistan, The
Pakistan Journal of Forestry, 2009, 59(2)
17
Naz, I.; Ijaz, S.S.; Mussie, Y.; Habteselessie, M.; Ansar, M and Khan, K.S. Impact of Conservation Tillage on Organic Matter
Dynamics in Loess Dryland Soil, Punjab, Pakistan, Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 2022, 32(5) https://doi.org/10.36899/
JAPS.2022.5.0534
18
https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2020.579904
19
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13021-021-00187-2
20
Soil Physical and Hydraulic Properties of the Upper Indus Plain of Pakistan, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources
(2019)

76
 Figure 4-7 Infiltration rates in the surface layers of Potwar (a); and Doabs region (b)

2.1.5 Moisture retention

Soil moisture retention is comparatively uniform in Doabs but highly variable in the Potwar region (Figure 4-8). The
most apparent cause for the high variability in Potwar region seems to be high erosion levels in this area, leading to high
segregation of particles.

Figure 4-8 Variation of soil moisture in Potwar (left) and Doabs (right) region.

2.1.6 Soil texture

Soil texture is the major determinant of other soil properties i.e., soil moisture retention, porosity, infiltration rates, nutrient
content, organic content and erodibility, and hence, is an important parameter to be considered for agricultural purposes21.
The texture of soil and related physio-chemical properties, such as the nutrient holding capacity and organic matter play
a significant role in nutrient availability and plant growth. Usually, the loamy textured soils, comprising almost equal
proportions of sand, silt and clay are considered ideal for agriculture use, mainly because these are convenient to be cultivated
and have good crop productivity. The well-balanced texture with good proportion of both fine and coarse textured particles
offers a desired soil structure that permits efficient water drainage and aeration while maintaining adequate moisture for
plant growth. Coarse particles in soil produce pore spaces that support root penetration while fine particles (clay) are helpful
in retaining moisture due to their colloidal properties and forming water stable aggregates that bind the soil and reduce soil
erosion.

The soil texture of the Potwar region is mainly loam, sandy loam and silt loam. While that of the Doabs is mainly silty clay
loam, sandy loam and silt loam. Clay content increases in the deeper layers of both regions (Figure 4-9). Hence, most of
the soils in Punjab are loamy in nature.
21
Chakrabortay, K and Mistri, B. 2015. Importance of Soil Texture in Sustenance of Agriculture: A Study in Burdwan-I C.D. Block;
Eastern Geographer;21(1).

77
 The soil properties, including its texture, vary with varying seasons, top vegetation cover and topography, naturally.22
Climate change also has both the direct and indirect implications on soil properties and subsequently, upon its fertility and
productivity. The floods and torrential rains result in plant damage, water logging, loss of soil biota (due to declined oxygen
levels and light absorption) and altered chemical proportions23. The land sliding and subsequent erosion occurring during
floods 2022 have led to 29% of total damages to the environment24.

Figure 4-9 Soil texture classes in Potwar (top) and Doab region (bottom)

22
Ahmad, I.; AHMAD, M.S.A.;Hussain, M.; Ashraf, M., and Ashraf, M.Y.; 2011. Spatio-Temporal Variations in Soil Characteristics
and Nutrient Availability of An Open Scrub Type Rangeland in the Sub-Mountainous Himalayan Tract of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of
Botany. 43(1).
23
Qamer, F.M., Abbas, S., Ahmad, B. et al. A framework for multi-sensor satellite data to evaluate crop production losses: the case
study of 2022 Pakistan floods. Sci Rep 13, 4240 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30347-y
24
Pakistan Floods 2022 Post Disaster Needs Assessment (October 2022). Government of Pakistan, Asian Development Bank,
European Union, United Nations Development Programme and World Bank

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3. OVERALL ASSESSMENT
The overall quality of various types of soils in Punjab in terms of salinity is rated as ‘Good’ (agriculture), ‘Moderate’
(urban), and ‘Poor’ (industrial). While the fertility status and heavy metal content of all soil types are rated as ‘Good’ based
on the prescribed limits available for each of the indicator parameters.

4. MANAGEMENT
Soil plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health which is essential for the survival of flora and fauna. In regions
like Punjab, where agriculture is the backbone of economy, collaborative efforts must be taken by public and private sectors
to regulate and maintain soil quality. At present, no government department in Punjab is keeping a regular record of soil
quality data of the districts. Therefore, the relevant organizations (public and private) need to be mobilized to carryout
studies concerning soil quality of the province. Appropriate soil management practices and pollution control measures can
be an effective way to reduce effluent discharge into soil. In addition, there is need to develop a comprehensive framework
to establish the environmental quality standards or threshold limits for soil and define monitoring mechanisms for its
sustainable management.

Table 4-1 Initiatives taken by the government departments in Punjab for soil management
Relevant department Initiatives taken
1. Farmers education about best crop and soil management practices
Agriculture Department 2. Research on soil quality assessment and mitigation of pesticide
residues in vegetables at different locations in the province.
Soil Survey Department Strengthening GIS laboratories to spatially evaluate impacts on soil quality
(Govt. of Punjab)
1. Plantation projects and regular afforestation campaigns across the
Forest Department province (protection of soil)
2. Maintenance and restoration of national parks and reserve forests

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 5. DPSIR FRAMEWORK
The DPSIR framework is described below:

Drivers
Number of factors affects the physicochemical characteristics of soil driven by atmospheric, topographic and anthropogenic
drivers. These include:

a. Increase in food demand: Punjab is the most densely populated province of Pakistan. Higher population leads to
higher demands for food and agricultural products, resulting in increased burdens on soil resources.

b. Urbanization: Punjab is recognized as one of the most urbanized regions of South Asia, undergoing a continuous,
long-term population shift to urban centers, with around 36% of the people residing in urban Punjab. The expansion
of cities leads to generation of more waste and its improper disposal from houses and industries put pressure on
soil resources.

c. Industrialization: Escalating industrialization in the province is also the major driving factor affecting the soil
quality, with more industrial discharges and waste management issues especially in the areas surrounding the
industrial clusters.

d. Poor agricultural practices: Improper use of fertilizers and pesticides along with irrigation of crops with poor
quality water containing sewage or industrial effluents leads to the degradation of soil quality.

e. Topography: Topography is a major determinant of soil of an area. In Punjab, the soils of Potwar and Doab regions
vary in their physio-chemical properties. For instance, the soil erosion levels are far higher in the sloppy lands of
Potwar region than the plains of Doabs.

Pressures
a. Land Use Change: In Punjab, most of the land area comprises of agricultural land. The available data of land use
change in Punjab is heterogeneous with limited geographical scope. For example, it is reported that the vegetation
area of district Okara has decreased from 91.6% in 2002 to 89.3% in 2020 with 4.5% increase in the built-up area.
A study conducted on Land-use change in Southern Punjab from 2000 to 2001 demonstrated a change in water,
cropland, forest, settlement and barren land as 1.02%. 2.63%, 31.03%. 14.52% and 12.87%, respectively .

b. Livestock grazing: The Forest Department, Government of the Punjab manages over 6 million rangelands. Range
management circle Lahore is engaged in managing these rangelands in 12 districts of four range management
Divisions including Chakwal, Bhakkar, DG Khan and Bahawalpur for the benefit of local community. The
rangelands are mostly located in Potwar, Thal and Cholistan regions. About 0.4 million farmers /grazers living in
the vicinity of these rangelands are directly advantaged by grazing about 1.2 million animals. However, rotational
grazing is practiced throughout the year for managing the pressure on these pastures .

c. Biomass Use: A technical and theoretical assessment of the biomass-based energy production potential of Punjab
depicted that the use of agricultural biomass as non-commercial/household energy source has reduced the technical
potential of generating ethanol from this biofuel has reduced significantly . Other secondary data sources also
confirm the use of biomass by rural households for burning purposes. The agriculture biomass, such as crop
residues, in addition to increasing the soil moisture retention, reduces the water losses from evapotranspiration,
and hence improves the soil quality . Hence its uncalculated loss may lead to undermined quality of soil.

d. Overuse of Pesticides and Fertilizers: Since most of the area is cultivated, the soils of Punjab receive higher
quantities of fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and fungicides. A study conducted to determine the overuse
of pesticides in cotton fields of Punjab reported that 70% more use of pesticides by the farmers in the area as
compared to other provinces to achieve higher cotton yields30.

e. It was also reported that most of the active ingredients of the pesticides being used were classified as moderately

25
Hussain et al, 2022. Landuse landcover (LULC) change using TM, ETM+ and OLI Landsat images in district of Okara Punjab
Pakistan. DOI: 1016/j.pce.2022.103117
26
https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043572
27
https://fwf.punjab.gov.pk/rangelands
28
Zulfiqar, M. et al. 2021. Prospects of bioenergy potential in Punjab (Pakistan) under different scenarios of agriculture growth.
International Conference on Advances in Mechanical Engineering, Pakistan, 21.
29
Saleem, M; 2022. Possibility of utilizing agriculture biomass as a renewable and sustainable future energy source. Heliyon. 8(2)
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08905)
30
10.1016/j.cropro.2014.10.013

80
 hazardous (54.7%) or highly hazardous (23.3%) as per WHO pesticide hazard classification31. The phosphate-
based fertilizers are a major cause of fluoride contamination in soils32 .

f. Unsound irrigation practices: Continuous use of contaminated water for irrigation purposes may result in increase
in soil salinity and addition of heavy metals. Flood irrigation, overuse of fertilizers and extensive tillage also
render land unfit for cultivation.

g. Heavy metals and other soil Contamination: High rates of industrialization in the province with limited use
of environmentally sound management of industrial effluents and waste are leading to increased levels of soil
contamination, especially with the heavy metals33.

h. Climate change: Punjab lies in arid and semi-arid climate with high summer temperatures and very low
atmospheric humidity. This is why the agriculture in the province is dependent on heavy irrigation system to
ensure the availability of water for the crops.

i. The southern Punjab is especially prone to harsh climate and droughts. The arid climate results in evapotranspiration
from soils, greatly reducing the moisture and water content. The other climate-extreme i.e., unprecedented torrential
rains and flooding have also been a major cause of soil erosion and instability in agricultural areas of province.

j. Erosion: Erosion reduces the fertility and productivity of the soil by removing top soil that is rich in organic matter.
The eroded soil ends up in water ways leading to sedimentation that prevents rivers and streams from smoothly
flowing and increases the chances of floods. It increases turbidity of water thus negatively aquatic life.

State
a. Soil Pollution: Heavy metals enter soil through natural routes. However, there are number of anthropogenic
sources as well such as those related to improper waste disposal. Secondary data sources reveal high levels of
heavy metals in the industrial soils of district Punjab.

b. Salinity and sodicity: High evapotranspiration rates in the arid areas leave salts behind resulting in increasing soil
salinity. Other factors such as irrigation using industrial wastewater also leads to accumulation of salts in soil.

c. Desertification: The chances of desertification are high in the soils degraded with multiple pollution sources and
with high rates of erosion. In the agricultural zones desertification can have far reaching impacts on food security.

d. Variable physio-hydraulic properties: Human activities such as an increase in built up area, cultivation on slopes,
and activities promoting erosion lead to the degradation of soil.
Impacts
a. Impacts on agricultural yields: Soil contamination has been evidently reported in the soils irrigated by industrial
effluents in major metropolises of Punjab. The soil contaminated with high concentrations of heavy metals and
alkalis is subject to degradation and infertility, ultimately negatively affecting the crop yields.

b. Impacts on groundwater: The contaminant mixtures in soil also percolate in the groundwater and subsequently
degrade the quality of aquifers. Groundwater is the major drinking water source in Punjab. Hence the soil quality
affected by industrial and agricultural contaminants may have potential impacts on the drinking water quality
in the province. Groundwater in Lahore and its surroundings is contaminated with Cadmium, Chromium and
Arsenic.34

c. Health Impacts: Contaminants in soil also travel in food chain and accumulate in tissues of plants and animals
reaching up to humans showing serious health consequences. Most of the soils in Lahore and its suburbs are
reported to be contaminated with cadmium, nickel, copper, and lead, with significant impacts on the population’s
health35. The toxic metals in food chain cause damage to DNA and proteins, posing carcinogenic effect in humans.
These also result in skin and lung diseases, especially in vulnerable group of population including the infants and
pregnant women. The food and fodder grown in the soils contaminated with heavy metals is also deleterious for
livestock health36.
31
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2014.10.013
32
Farooqi A, Masuda H, Siddiqui R, Naseem M. Sources of arsenic and fluoride in highly contaminated soils causing groundwater
contamination in Punjab, Pakistan. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2009 May;56(4):693-706. Doi: 10.1007/s00244-008-9239-x. Epub
2008 Oct 21. PMID: 18937006
33
http://doi.org/10.3390/air1010004
34
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/813206
35
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-4120(98)00068-3
36
Atta, M. I. et al., 2023. Amassing of heavy metals in soils, vegetables and crop plants irrigated with wastewater: Health risk
assessment of heavy metals in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan Front. Plant Sci., 16 January 2023 Sec. Plant Nutrition. Volume 13 –
2022 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1080635

81
 Response
a. Integrated management practices: Considering the multiple drivers and pressures to the soil resources, there is
a need to adopt integrated management practices in Punjab to safeguard the quality and productivity of the soil.

b. Sensitizing farmers: Reforms in agriculture sector along with farmers’ education targeting appropriate and sensible
use of fertilizers and pesticides, switching to organic farming and shift from conventional tillage to no till farming
can lead to improved soil quality. Sensitizing farmers about best soil and crop management practices, use of
farmyard and green manure, crop residues and other organic amendments can increase soil organic content crucial
for improving soil structure and nutrient load.

c. Plantation: Tree plantations at the degraded lands can restore the soil quality. It will also improve soil nutrient
status by the addition of organic matter and will also enhance water holding capacity of the soils.

d. Research and development: Further research and development for integrated management of soil resources in
required in Pakistan. In this connection, relevant departments such as Soil Survey Department, Irrigation and
Agriculture Departments are taking initiatives to protect soil resources.

Figure 4-10: DPSIR framework of soil quality in Punjab

6. THE WAY FORWARD

Soil quality monitoring and reporting regime: Establishment of a continuous soil quality monitoring and reporting
regime may be established to keep the farmer community abreast of soil conditions subsequently assisting them through
informed decision making.

Research and development for salt-tolerant crop varieties: Research and development need to be strengthened for
enhancing the success and efficacy of available reclamation techniques and breeding of salt tolerant varieties. Farmers may
be encouraged to shift towards planting salt-tolerant crop varieties to mitigate the economic losses arising from reduced
productivity of lands already affected by high salinity and sodicity.

Sustainable Agricultural practices: Policy development and investment in the adoption of sustainable agriculture
practices especially organic farming, reduced tillage, crop rotation and use of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems are
highly recommended.

Prevention from soil pollution: Discharge of untreated industrial and municipal wastewater in agricultural lands may be
discouraged to avoid soil contamination.

Regular soil-reclamation programs: Regular soil-reclamation programs may be launched for maximum restoration of
degraded and water-logged soils.

82
83
 CHAPTER 5 Wastewater treatment & SOLID WASTE MANAGEMNT FACILITIES

1. OVERVIEW KEY FINDINGS

This chapter deals with the assessments of industrial
wastewater treatment plants as well as solid waste During 2022, EPA identified, 392 industrial wastewater treatment
management facilities (municipal and hospital disposal plants (primary, secondary, and tertiary) in Punjab.
facilities). For the purpose of this report, the assessment of
wastewater treatment facilities is limited to the industrial Performance efficiency of wastewater treatment facilities installed in
wastewater treatment plants only. Approximately 6.24% various industrial sectors is very low with ‘very poor’ performance
industries in Faisalabad, 3.30% in Sheikhpura and 2.78% for sugar and paper mills. Whereas, ‘poor’ performance is for leather
and tanning, power looms, foods, oil, fats and ghee and animal feed
in Lahore have industrial wastewater treatment plants. industries.
The effluent treated from wastewater treatment plants did
not comply fully with PEQS.
Punjab generates approximately 47,300 tons of municipal solid waste
daily.
1.1 Industrial wastewater treatment
facilities
Municipal solid waste management companies are operating in seven
In Punjab, wastewater comprises both domestic and districts of Punjab, namely Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi,
Gujranwala, Sialkot and Bahawalpur, carrying out the municipal solid
waste management in respective districts.
industrial effluents. Industrial units release industrial
wastewater, and its volume and characteristics vary
based on each industry's type and number of industries, There is a single environmentally approved landfill site in Punjab,
based in Lakhodair area, District Lahore. In rest of the districts, the
operational hours, and water consumption. The discharge municipal collected is dumped at open sites, without proper landfill.
of industrial effluents into the ecosystem presents a
substantial risk, leading to various environmental The overall quality of solid waste management in Punjab, as assessed
problems as well as concerns for public health and from primary and secondary data, is poor and has been categorized as
‘Red’ on color coding scheme being followed in the report.
safety. Industries such as tanning, leather production,
petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals,
and textiles generate effluents
that pose significant threats to the
aquatic ecosystem. These effluents
contribute to high toxicity levels,
cause endocrine disruptions, and
negatively impact reproductive
functions. Domestic water
supplies are generally unsafe, with
contamination by sewage effluent,
industrial effluent, and geogenic
Arsenic common but poorly
assessed, especially in rural areas.
Effluents from marble, steel, and
aluminum factories are the main
sources of cadmium, and effluents
from leather tanneries are the main
source of chromium. Moreover,
elevated levels of total solids can
make drinking water unappealing
and unpalatable.
In order to protect the environment
from the detrimental effects
of pollutants released from
municipal and industrial effluent,
Wastewater treatment plants needs
to be installed to treat

84
both municipal and industrial wastewater. EPA carried out a survey of the industrial wastewater treatment plants installed
in various industries in different districts of Punjab. A total of 392 industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are
installed in various industrial sectors in Punjab as shown in Figure 5-1. Of these WWTPs, 206 are primary plants, 180 are
secondary treatment plants, and 6 belong to the tertiary treatment plant category. There are 23 different industries that have
these plants installed, with the textile industry having the greatest number of wastewater treatment plants followed by other
sectors, where fertilizer industry stands at the lowest position in terms of having WWTPs count.
In terms of the number of industrial WWTPs installed in the Punjab district wise, Faisalabad stands first, followed by
Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, and Rahim Yar Khan. Figure 5-2 shows the distribution
of primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment plants in various districts of Punjab. The districts which show industrial
WWTPs count less than 5 are Jhang, Khushab, and Multan (5), 4 in Chiniot and Gujranwala, 3 in Attock, Chakwal, and
Layyah, 2 in Jehlum and D G Khan, 1 in Hafizabad, Bhakkar, Nankana Sahib and Narowal while no industrial WWTP is
in Bahawalnagar.

District wise distribution of WWTPs

140

120 Primary Secondary Tertiary

24
Count of WWTP

100
1
80

60 1
73 96
28
40
3
1 11
20 33
3 20
6 5 19 14
3 7 10
7
0 6 4 3 4 6 4

District name

Figure 5-2: District-wise distribution of WWTPs in Punjab

In order to evaluate the environmental performance of these 392 WWTPs installed in the industries, the wastewater of
35 such plants was compared with the PEQS, both before and after treatment. The influent and effluent of 21, 10, and 1,
industrial WWTPs were analysed by the EPA Laboratories in Multan, Faisalabad, and Lahore, respectively. Figure 5-3
shows the number of three categories of WWTPs installed in various sectors of industries in Punjab.

Industry category wise distribution of WWTP

160
Count of Primary Count of Secondary Count of Tertiary 2
140
120 61
WWTP count

100
80
60 2

40 32
8
85

1
20 2 1
15
13 14 31
2 27
9 12 12 19
11 7 12 10
0 2 1 1

Industry Type

Figure 5-3: Industry Wise Distribution of WWTP in Punjab

85
 1.2 Solid waste management in Punjab

1.2.1 Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Currently, no concrete figures for total waste being generated in Punjab are available, however when calculated on the basis
of the average quantity of waste generated in Pakistan i.e. 0.43 kg/capita//day1, it may be estimated that Punjab produces
around 47,300 tons of municipal waste on daily basis. It is well-established that the amount of waste generated increases
with a rise in population and urbanization in an area. So is the case in Punjab. The materials that make up municipal solid
waste include food, glass, textiles, metals, and plastics. Lahore contributes most in waste generation (29%) followed by
Rawalpindi, Multan, Kasur, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, and Sialkot. Whereas rest of the 28 districts produce
21% of Punjab's overall debris (Figure 5-4).

Figure 5-4 Comparison of percentage of MSW generation contributed by 36 districts in Punjab

Local Government and Community Development Department, Government of the Punjab is mandated with the solid waste
management at provincial level, whereas at local level, local authorities and municipalities are primarily responsible for
providing services regarding solid waste management. Currently, waste management companies, LWMC, RWMC, BWMC,
FWMC, MWMC, GWMC and SWMC are functioning in Punjab's seven major cities, i.e. Lahore, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur,
Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, and Sialkot, respectively LWMC covers 150 UCs of Lahore through outsourced companies
and its own resources collectively2 MWMC covers 68 UCs of district Multan3 GWMC collects municipal solid waste
covering 64 UCs in Gujranwala4 Bahawalpur covers 18 UCs, SWMC covers 16 UCs of district Sialkot and RWMC covers
63 UCs of district Rawalpindi for waste management services. Major services include waste collection and transportation,
manual and mechanical sweeping, and other ancillary services related to solid waste management.
The province hosts a single organic waste composting facility at the Mehmood Booti Landfill site (a central unit for
managing organic waste from Lahore that makes a significant portion of the province's total waste generation) and a single
environmentally approved landfill at Lakhodair site, both located in provincial capital i.e. Lahore.
The current practices in Punjab regarding waste disposal is open dumping at landfills/dumpsites designated at different
locations in different cities. Other methods in practice are open waste burning, informal recycling, and illegal dumping. As
reported by several sources, the disposal methods are far from the requirements of a controlled landfill. Resource recovery
does not appear to be a major focus in the province so far.

1
Solid Waste Management Sector in Pakistan; A Reform Road Map For Policy Makers, Asian Development Bank (2022)
2
Iqbal A, Yasar A, Nizami A.S,. Sharif, F., Tabinda, A.B., Sultan IA, Batool SA, Haider R, Shahid A, Chaudhary MM, Ahmad M.
Evolution of Solid Waste Management System in Lahore: A Step towards Sustainability of the Sector in Pakistan. Applied Sciences.
2023; 13(2):983. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13020983
3
Multan Waste Management Company (MWMC) official website (https://mwmc.com.pk/)
4
Gujranwala Waste Management Company (GWMC) official website (https://mwmc.com.pk/)

86
Despite a major percentage of the solid waste budget being spent on the physical components of the solid waste management
system, i.e., collection and transportation, many areas in the province still lack proper collection and transportation to the
designated dump sites. Source separation practices are rare, and public awareness regarding integrated sustainable waste
management is poor.
The inadequate solid waste management and disposal system prevailing in the province pose significant environmental
and health risks arising from release of harmful pollutants during waste burning, seepage of leachate into the soil and
underground water and vectors breeding at the unmanaged dumpsites, in addition to the odour and other aesthetic issues.
In addition, inadequate waste collection and transportation systems exacerbate the problem, accumulating waste in public
places.

1.2.2 Hospital waste

Regarding healthcare hazardous waste, it is predominantly handled at individual hospital sites using on-site incineration
facilities. Although this practice is crucial in maintaining biosecurity, it is noteworthy that these incinerators currently
operate without an energy recovery system, missing an opportunity for efficient energy use. Rapid urbanization, unchecked
population growth, institutional flaws, a lack of resources, and low awareness among the public all play a role in Punjab
province's inappropriate solid waste management.
According to a survey conducted by EPA Punjab in 2021, Punjab's hospitals (with more than 20 beds) produce about 2.8
tonnes of infectious waste per day. However, it is noteworthy that as the survey did not cover all healthcare facilities of
the province, comprehensive data on the total generation of infectious waste within Punjab remains unavailable, so far. In
2022, EPA Field offices gathered some estimates on hospital waste collection from relevant local authorities, according to
which, district Kasur has the maximum collection rate (27%), followed by Sargodha, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi,
Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Okara, Muzaffargarh, Lahore, and Bhakkar, with the remaining districts having a collection rate of
22.1% (Figure 55).

Figure 5-5: District wise comparison of hospital waste collection in Punjab (%)

Both the legitimate (incineration, autoclaving, burial pits) and illegitimate (open dumping at municipal waste dumping
sites and burning) ways are being followed in Punjab for disposal of hospital waste. Throughout province, there are 47
private and 40 public incinerators with installed capacity ranging from 100-500 and 50-200 respectively. However, not
all the incinerators are functional. Most of these incinerators have obtained environmental approval from EPA Punjab for
installation. As per survey, Kasur has the largest incineration capacity (30.2%), followed by Lahore, Faisalabad, Khanewal,
Attock, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Multan, and Sahiwal. Other districts have an incineration
capacity of 19.2% (Figure 56).

87
 Figure 5-6: District wise comparison of incineration capacity in Punjab (%)
2. ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF WWTP
EPA performed an analysis of wastewater treatment plants installed in various industries in order to check their efficiency
by measuring and analyzing some parameters and comparing them with PEQS. For this purpose, the analysis was done for
27 of primary, 12 secondary, and 1 tertiary treatment plants. Average values of various parameters from various industries
are documented in Table 5-2 which shows a comparison of values of parameters before and after treatment. Analysis of
treatment plants in various sectors of industries is as follows:
• Animal feed industry Results showed that the average values of chlorides, pH, and sulfates were within the
limits of PEQS after treatment. On the other hand, sulfide, TSS, and COD showed higher average values even
after treatment in WWTPs.
• Beverage industry In the beverage industry, values of sulfate, chloride, TSS, TDS, COD, and pH were observed
to be the same before and after the passage of effluent from WWTPs which were evaluated to be under the limits
of PEQS. While WWTP failed to lower the value of Sulphide in the liquid effluent.
• Fertilizer plants Prior to treatment, the average value of TSS was discovered to be within PEQS guidelines. The
non-compliance values for TDS, Sulphate, chloride, and COD were changed to the compliance levels. However,
even after the liquid effluent was treated in the WWTP, the Sulphide level remained over the allowable limit.
• Food industry In the untreated effluent, the values of Chloride, Sulphate, and pH were observed to be within
PEQS limits. After treatment, the average value of TSS was lower than the compliance limits, while the average
values of TDS, COD, BOD5, and Sulphide were greater than the allowable limits.
• Man-made fiber industry In the untreated liquid effluent, the average values of TDS, Sulfate, and pH were
assessed to be within PEQS compliance limits. After the treatment, the level of COD got reduced to meet the
allowable range of PEQS, on the other hand, the level of Sulphide remained higher than the PEQS range.
• Oil & fats and vegetable ghee projects Values of sulfate, chloride, TDS, and pH were observed to be the same
before and after the passage of effluent from WWTPs which were evaluated to be under the limits of PEQS. After
treatment, the average value of TSS got reduced while COD and Sulphide values remained higher than the PEQS
limits.
• Paper and paperboard, paper pulping in the liquid effluent, sulfate, Chloride, and pH values remain under the
PEQS range while TDS, COD, BOD5, and Sulphide values remain higher than PEQS limits.
• Power looms Values of sulfate, chloride, TDS, and pH were observed to be the same before and after the passage
of effluent from WWTPs which were evaluated to be under the limits of PEQS. TSS was observed to be reduced
to the compliance limit of PEQS after treatment whereas COD, BOD5, and Sulphide remained higher than the
PEQS limits.
• Sugar mills In the untreated effluent, the values of Chloride and pH were observed to be within PEQS limits,
but the values of BOD5 and COD were much higher. TDS was observed to be reduced to the compliance limit of
PEQS after treatment whereas COD, BOD5, Sulfate and Sulphide remained higher than the PEQS limits.
• Tanning and leather finishing projects In untreated liquid effluent, the value of pH remained within PEQS
limits. After treatment, values of TDS, Sulfates, and Chlorides got reduced to the allowable range of PEQS. On
the other hand, BOD5, COD, and Sulphide values remained higher than the PEQS allowable limits.
• Textiles In untreated liquid effluent, the value of pH remained within PEQS limits. After treatment, values of TSS,
TDS, and Chlorides got reduced to the allowable range of PEQS. On the other hand, BOD5, COD, and Sulphide
values remained higher than the PEQS allowable limits.

88
 Table 5-2 Comparison of average values of various parameters of liquid effluent before
and after treatment in WWTPs

2.1 Overall Assessment

An overall assessment of the performance of wastewater treatment facilities was done for various sectors of industry in the
province.

89
 3. ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF SWMFS
In order to estimate the environmental performance of solid waste management facilities, a one-time study comprising
selected disposal facilities (landfills/dumpsites for municipal waste and incinerators for hospital waste), located in four
districts i.e. Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Lahore was conducted in last quarter of CY 2022. Table 5-1 shows the
basic solid waste management information in the study area.

Table 5-1 Features of Study Area

Attributes Multan5 Rawalpindi6 Lahore7 Faisalabad8

Population( million) 22 .1 11.1 Above3 .5

Area (km2) 3721 479 1772 1330

MSW Total (tons/day) 1,000 1280 6000-6500 1600

Generation Perc apita( kg/day) 0.48 0.61 0.54 0.45

The environmental performance of selected facilities was assessed on basis of five parameters, including the quality of
leachate, ambient air, soil (for landfills/dumpsites), stack emissions and ash (for incinerators), in comparison with available
standards. Testing was carried out through EPA certified laboratories. The results are as follows:

3.1 Landfills/Dumpsites

A. Leachate
Leachate from open MSW dumpsites was examined for Cadmium, Ammonia, Arsenic, Zinc, pH,
COD, BOD, TDS and TSS. The findings show that, except for pH, all of the investigated parameters
for municipal and liquid industrial wastewater exceeded the PEQS (Figure 5-7). The comparison with
PEQS of wastewater has been done to better understand the overall landfill/dumpsites situation due to the
absence of specific standards for landfill leachate.
The reported values of several parameters like COD, and Arsenic in landfill leachate are higher than the standard values
established for wastewater in the PEQS. The high levels of heavy metals like arsenic in the non-sanitary landfills is
alarming, as this contamination does not remain restricted to its origin. The organic and inorganic contaminants present
in the leachate percolate to the groundwater, contaminating both the soil and the underlying aquifers. It is need of the
hour to establish sanitary landfill sites equipped with leachate treatment/management system in accordance with effluent
characteristics and best international practices.

5
Arshad, R et al 2021. Solid Waste Management - An Integrated Approach towards Sustainability in Multan. European Journal of
Applied Science and Technology-Novus (EJAST), pp. 44-70.
6
Ilmas et al 2021. Characterization and energy potential evaluation of urban municipal solid waste of Pakistan. Carbon Management,
12(6), 581-591. https://doi.org/10.1080/17583004.2021.1976675.
7
LWMC, "Municipal waste characterization study," Lahore Waste Management Company, Lahore, 2022.
8
Aslam, B et al, 2022. Identifying and Ranking Landfill Sites for Municipal Solid Waste Management: An Integrated Remote Sensing
and GIS Approach. Buildings, 12(5), 605. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12050605.

90
BOD5 (mg/1)

Figure 5-7: Results of Leachate Analyses in study area

91
 B. Soil
EPA carried out sampling of soil from landfill or open waste dumping sites in order to examine various parameters viz,
Chromium, Iron, Zinc, Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and pH. The results were compared with US EPA's standard values,
which shows that Arsenic and pH levels were beyond the compliance limits (Figure 5 8).

pH Arsenic (mg/kg)
7.8 1.6
7.6 1.4
Value US EPA
7.4 1.2
1
7.2
0.8
7
0.6
6.8 0.4
6.6 0.2
6.4 0
Lahore Faisalabad Rawalpindi Multan Lahore Faisalabad Rawalpindi Multan
a b

C. Ambient air
Landfill sites or open MSW dumping sites have Cadmium (mg/kg)
various emissions to the air, which deteriorate the 1
quality of ambient air and make it hazardous for life
0.8
on the planet. The ambient air quality assessment
parameters under consideration were ozone, SPM, 0.6
NO, NO2, SO2, PM10, CH4, PM2.5, NOx, CO (Figure
0.4
5 9). The results were compared with standard values
of US EPA, which shows that NOx was beyond the 0.2
compliance limits in all the sampling locations while
0
methane was beyond limits only in Multan. While the
Lahore Faisalabad Rawalpindi Multan
landfill sites in Lahore city, namely Lakhodair and c
the now-closed Mehmood Booti, are a considerable
distance from the city center and residential areas. Figure 5-8: Results of Soil Analyses in study area (values
compared with USEPA Standards for soil quality)

CO (mg/m3) SO2 (mg/m3)

140
12
120
10
100
8
80
6 60
4 40
2 20
0 0
a Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore b Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore

NO2 (µg/m3) NO (µg/m3)

82 50 Value PEQS
80
40
78
76 30
74 20
72
70 10
68 0
c Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore
d

92
 NOx (µg/m3) PM10 (µg/m3)
160 155
140 150
120 145
100
140
80
135
60
40 130
20 125
0 120
Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore f Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore
e
PM
PM2.5
2.5
(ug/m 3
(µg/m3)) Suspended Particles (ug/m 3
(µg/m3) )
36 520
35 500
34 480
33 460
32 440
31 420
30 400
29 380
g Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore h Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore

Ozone (µg/m3) Methane (ppm)

130 1.9
Value PEQS
128 1.85
126 1.8
124 1.75
122 1.7
120 1.65
118 1.6
116 1.55
Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore Faisalabad Multan Rawalpindi Lahore
i j

Figure 5-9: Results of Ambient Air Quality Analyses at landfill sites located in study area
It is noteworthy that where dumpsites are located within periphery of residential areas and along roadside the residents
face the issues of odors, flying insects, etc. Whereas in the areas where such sites are at considerable distance from the
population center and residential areas, the effects of issues like odour and vector breeding remain relatively limited.

3.2 Incineration facilities

A. Stack emissions
Stack emissions were evaluated from selected incineration facilities to compare the values of NO, SO2, CO, smoke, HCl,
NOx, and PM with PEQS. All the parameters had values within the compliance range in all the locations under study.
The reported low emission from incinerators is attributable to the utilization of advanced technology integrated into these
incinerators, which are mostly imported from Europe. These state-of-the-art techniques efficiently treat and mitigate
hazardous emissions before release from the stack, considerably reducing emission levels.

B. Ash analysis
Ash was analyzed as it may contain environmentally hazardous constituents. However, due to limited available monitoring
facilities, only the unburnt (UC) carbon and moisture content were added in scope of current study. It was observed that the
level of UC is present in all samples from all the locations under consideration.

93
 3.3 Solid waste management index
The Solid Waste Management Index for the four districts, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan, was calculated
based on five indicators of environmental quality monitoring i.e. ambient air, leachate and soil (for landfill sites) and stack
emissions and bottom ash (for incineration facilities) using following equations.
K ‐ X = Y…………………………………………(i)
Y x 100/K = Z……………………………………(ii)
K= PEQS value of parameter
X= Observed value of parameter
Y= +/– variation from PEQ
Z= +/– %
All the Z values were added and divided by a common denominator to Normalize the value as a single score between 0 to
100. A scoring scale of 0 to 100 was formulated with 0 being worst and 100 being best, which was then further categorized
into 7 categorical ranges along with the assignment of following color scheme: (table 5-3)

Table 5-3: Color Coding

These categories are based on the solid waste management index for
each assessed indicator (leachate, ambient air, soil, stack emissions
and ash).
or below
Solid waste management index developed during this study is a
preliminary attempt to establish a basic solid waste index system for
major districts in Punjab. This endeavor, inspired by various solid
waste indices presented in scientific literature, aims to provide a
comparative basis for solid waste management facilities (SWMFs).
While in its nascent stage, this index system represents a crucial
first step towards quantifying solid waste management performance.
However, constructing a comparable index for SWMFs in Punjab
would necessitate continuous data monitoring over several years, as in
the case of Environmental Performance Index (EPI) or Global Waste
Index.

Landfill/Dumping Site

A. Leachate
Results of leachate scoring show that the tested parameters for all the studied landfills/dumpsites had values higher than
PEQS, with those located in Multan being the worst, followed by Lahore, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi (Figure 5-10)

0
-3
Rawalpindi Faisalabad Lahore Multan
-5
-12

-10
Leachate Score

-15 -30
-32

-20

-25

-30

-35

or below

Figure 5-10: Leachate analysis score of SWMFs located in four cities

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B. Ambient air quality
Scoring of ambient air quality show positive results in all of the study locations, implying that all of the tested parameters
were within the compliance limits in accordance with PEQS. Score of Faisalabad and Multan were observed to be the same
(Figure 5-11).

70

60

50
Ambient Air Score

40
66 66
30
48 45
20

10

0
Faisalabad Multan Lahore Rawalpindi

Figure 5-11: Ambient Air analysis score of SWMFs located in four cities

C. Soil analysis
The results showed scattered results for soil quality in all of the four selected districts, where Multan showed the lowest
score, and Faisalabad was the best in terms of condition of soil at selected dumpsites (Figure 5-12).

Figure 5-12: Soil Analysis score of SWMFs located in four cities

Incineration Facility

A. Stack emissions
Scoring analysis of stack emissions showed positive results in all of the study locations, which implies that all of the tested
parameters were within the compliance limits in accordance with PEQS (Figure 5-13).

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 Figure 5-13: Stack emissions score of four cities

B. Ash analysis
For the analysis of ash, there are no PEQS, so in order to evaluate the ash, the average value for all the districts was
considered the standard and was compared with each of the districts. The overall score remained positive, with Multan
standing topmost, with maximum UC in the tested samples compared to the facilites tested in other districts (Figure 5-14).

Figure 5-14: Ash Analysis score of four cities

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Solid waste management index
Each district (study area) was deputed an overall score for the environmental performance of its tested solid waste
management facilities (in terms of ambient air, leachate, soil, stack emission and ash monitoring), considering the individual
scores for all tested parameters (Figure 5-15). Although all districts scored 50-80, it needs to be kept in mind that this
collective score is a result of statistical analyses, whereas, the individual results of all tested parameters have already
discussed in above sections.

Figure 5-15: Total Score of four cities

3.4 Overall assessment

An overall assessment of solid waste management system in the province is depicted below:

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 4. DPSIR FRAMEWORK
DPSIR framework of solid waste facilities for Punjab is as follows:
Drivers
The rapidly growing population and urbanization in Punjab, Pakistan, exert immense pressure on its solid waste
management facilities. As cities swell, the strain on existing facilities rises, necessitating an immediate need for more
efficient solid waste management strategies. Institutional weaknesses, such as lack of control and monitoring of waste
generation and inadequate financial and technical resources for waste management, compound the problem. Additionally,
the lack of public awareness and education on proper waste disposal practices exacerbates the region's waste management
infrastructure challenges.

Pressures
The increasing population of the province has caused increased consumption of utilities, hence the production of more
waste. Moreover, the increased number of healthcare facilities contributes significantly to waste generation, especially
hazardous medical waste. Further pressure is brought by the inadequate waste collection and segregation system, which
cannot handle the growing waste volumes efficiently. Also, the limited formal recycling facilities and sanitary landfills,
combined with increased waste generation, cause additional strain. The limited number of operational incinerators
compounds the problem, making hosptial waste disposal a significant challenge in the province.

State
Punjab currently faces considerable challenges in context of solid waste management. The insufficient collection and
treatment of hospital waste, coupled with the rampant open dumping of municipal waste, underscore the gravity of the
situation. These practices pollute the environment and pose risks of contaminating nearby ecosystems. The state of solid
waste management in Punjab is indeed concerning, given its significant potential impact on the environment and public
health.

Impacts
The implications of inadequate solid waste management are multilayered, directly influencing health, environment, and
socioeconomic conditions. Increased diseases and epidemics linked to waste mishandling highlight the pressing health
issues. Furthermore, increased vector breeding sites, aesthetic view of the area, and odor problems pose societal challenges.
Finally, the environmental impacts, such as the degradation of ambient air, soil, and water quality further demonstrate the
urgent need for action.

Response
To address the waste management challenges, an integrated approach focusing on properly constructing and operating
landfills, specifically sanitary or engineered ones, and establishing a robust municipal tax base is imperative. Constructing
and managing landfills responsibly are essential steps to prevent potential environmental and public health threats.
Concurrently, a solid tax base is crucial for financing waste management services, from regular waste collection to larger-
scale initiatives. Through stable funding, regulatory enforcement can be strengthened, public education on appropriate
waste disposal can be bolstered, and innovative solutions such as waste-to-energy conversion and organic composting can
be explored. These measures can reduce the volume of waste directed to our landfills and facilitate the transition toward
sustainable waste management practices in Punjab

Figure 5-16 DPSIR framework

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5. THE WAY FORWARD
Strengthening Monitoring and Control Frameworks: For wastewater, there is a need for continuous effluent monitoring
systems, starting from large industrial establishments, to regularly monitor the quality of effluents. Establish a robust
collection schedule for solid waste to prevent unauthorized dumping and waste accumulation. Implement monitoring
and control systems to regularly assess the performance of the treatment plants, ensure compliance with PEQS, and
promptly address any operational issues or deviations. Data on solid waste generation, collection, transportation, recycling,
composting, treatment and disposal rates in province must be calculated and updated periodically.

Guidelines and Legal Framework: Devise guidelines for gauging and improving the environmental performance of
wastewater treatement and solid waste management facilities for uniform assessment and improvement.Develop a
comprehensive legal framework and national guidelines for wastewater and municipal solid waste management to enforce
proper practices, implement penalties for non-compliance, and streamline operations across Punjab and Pakistan.

Technological and Methodological Improvements: Identify and implement the latest treatment techniques for wastewater
or couple more than one technology for compliance with PEQS. For solid waste, segregation at source will ensure that
different types of waste are properly sorted, making waste management more efficient and reducing the burden on waste
processing facilities.

Periodic Evaluation, Optimization, and Collection Efficiency: Continuously monitor and evaluate the performance
of wastewater and solid waste treatment plants, considering advancements in technology and regulatory requirements.
Implement necessary upgrades or optimizations to enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve overall
effectiveness. Leverage technological advancements to monitor waste collection, ensuring timely and efficient pickup.

Formalize Recycling and Promote the 5R's: Transition the informal waste recycling sector to a formal one for better
regulation, worker safety, higher efficiency, and quality. Promote the principles of Refusing, Reducing, Recycling, Reusing
and Repurposing (5Rs) across Punjab through awareness programs, policy incentives for 5R practices, and integrating
these principles into industrial design and lifestyle choices.

Private Sector Involvement and Innovation: Engage the private sector in waste collection, recycling, and treatment to
bring expertise, innovation, and efficiency. This would also create new jobs and contribute to the economy.

Sustainable Waste-to-Energy Solutions and Sanitary Landfills: Develop the waste-to-energy sector for sustainable
waste management and renewable energy production, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Establish sanitary landfills
according to international standards to prevent the adverse environmental and health impacts caused by unregulated
dumping sites.

Raising Public Awareness: Raise awareness about the consequences of wastewater and solid waste pollution among
the general public, politicians, policymakers, and administrators. This will foster a sense of responsibility toward waste
management and garner support for sustainable practices.

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 CHAPTER 6 MEASURES TAKEN TO CONTROL POLLUTION
1. OVERVIEW
Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997 empowers Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab to exercise numerous
powers and functions under Section 6 of the Act ibid, which results in improved environmental quality. These powers
include, in addition to the implementation of the Act through regulatory and enforcement activities, taking measures to
promote research and development in various sectors of environment, need assessment for environmental legislations in
the province and providing advice and assistance to local councils, authorities and the general public on environmental
matters. EPA Punjab may also recommend environmental literature for inclusion in educational institutions' curricula and
syllabi.

EPA Punjab has commenced several initiatives to help the environment and combat climate change (Figure 6-1).

Figure 6 1: Timeline of actions taken by EPD during the year 2022

2. MEASURES TAKEN TO CONTROL KEY FINDINGS

POLLUTION
EPD is taking measures to control pollution
Major activities that result in high air pollution levels EPD Punjab launched an anti-smog campaign in 2022 as a
preemptive measure to control the seasonal high air pollution
are presented in Figure 6-2. Keeping in view the multi- levels. The campaign included many institutional arrangements,
faceted nature of issue, a multi-stakeholder approach was enforcement and monitoring based anti-smog activities.
adopted to curtail the air pollution.
EPA Punjab inspected 2169 public and private hospitals to check the
implementation of Punjab Hospital Waste Management Rules (2014)
and action was taken against the non-compliant hospitals.

Greening of the Punjab

A total of 705,650 trees were planted under the supervision of
EPA field offices across Punjab in collaboration with multiple
stakeholders. Spring Tree Plantation was carried in the 3rd week of
February in collaboration with Punjab Forest Department.

EPD envisions installation of environmental quality monitoring

stations in Punjab
• A total of 30 AQMS stations will be installed in the 10 districts
of Punjab.
• At least 15 WQMS will be installed along surface water
bodies in Punjab.

Health Advisory System in Punjab

EPD Punjab established a Health Advisory System for Critical Air
Figure 6-2: Anthropogenic factors mainly contributing to Pollution Events targeting vulnerable population groups.
smog formation
Regulatory and Institutional Reforms in Punjab
2.1. Anti-smog campaign major reforms for strengthening environmental governance in the
province, accomplished or in pipeline in EPD Punjab, during 2022,
are establishment of missing environmental quality standards,
In order to prevent the high air pollution levels experienced revision of existing standards and development of industry-specific
on seasonal basis in the province, EPA Punjab started environmental quality standards, Punjab Review of IEE and EIA
Regulations (2022), Plastic Management Strategy, Regulations’ on
anti-smog measures and launched an anti-smog campaign the production and consumption of single-use plastics and Punjab
well before the arrival of the winter season in CY 2022. Climate Change Policy.

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 2.1.1. Regulatory and enforcement actions taken during anti-smog campaign
The principal sources of smog (stone crushers, Bull's Trench Kiln technology - BTKs, pyrolysis plants and vehicles that
emit smoke) were investigated by the anti-smog teams. A total of 16770 industries, including 168 pyrolysis plants, 63979
brick kilns and stone crushers were inspected. Figure 6-3 and Table 6-1 both present data on monthly inspections of
industrial units, BTKs, and vehicles as well as actions taken against them.
Number of units

Figure 6-3: Number of inspections of smoke emitting sources in Punjab during CY 2022

Table 6-1: Actions taken by EPD Punjab against smoke emitting facilities during 2022

With the help of traffic police, a vigorous regulatory and enforcement campaign was launched against smoke-emitting
automobiles (Table 6-2).

Table 6-2: Actions taken by EPD Punjab against Smoke Emitting Vehicles during 2022

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To further limit smog-emitting sources, the Punjab government issued an order under section 144 of CrPC on October
25, 2022, to completely restrict the production, transportation, and use of pyro-carbon powder as well as the use of thrift
apparel/clothes for burning purposes in the industries.

2.1.2 Actions taken by other departments

In order to further curtail the sources of smog in the province, EPD Punjab coordinated with the relevant stakeholders and
other departments to play their key role in anti-smog campaign. The relevant departments took initiatives to control smog
and their focal persons reported EPD control room about the measures taken. Following are some of the significant actions
taken by multi-stakeholders to curb smog in the province (Figure 6-4).

Figure 6-4: Actions taken by other departments to curb smog in Punjab

2.2 Anti-smog squads

In the major cities of Punjab including Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad the anti-smog squads
were established alongside the regular monitoring staff of EPA Punjab. The squads were assigned tasks to take action
against polluting units, and report to the departmental representative on daily basis about their progress via District and
Divisional anti-smog committees. Representatives from the EPA field offices and laboratories, the concerned Assistant
Commissioner's office and Municipal Corporations/Town Committees (MCs) and Punjab Police were members in these
squads. The administrative secretaries of Local Government and Community Development, Industries, Agriculture and
Transport Departments were requested to establish smog cells in their departments to curb the likely activities resulting in
the formation of smog. Additionally, special squads comprising of members from the traffic police, EPA Punjab, Vehicular
Inspection and Certification System (VICS), and vehicle examiners were notified to check for vehicular pollution.

2.3 Establishment of Control Room

In August 2022, EPD Punjab established a Control Room to gather data on anti-smog activities for the purpose of continuous
smog monitoring. Eight LEDs have been installed in the control room to track the movement of squads across the province
and to monitor the overall condition of the air quality. During CAPEs, relevant dedicated staff deputed in the Control Room
work in day and night shifts to ensure continuous monitoring of the operations.
In the control room, NASA's real-time geo-tagged imagery is taken to track thermal anomalies resulting from open/crop
burning in the province. The latest information on temperature anomalies in the province is also shared by SUPARCO with
the EPD Control Room. The concerned Deputy Commissioner and the Agriculture Department are then informed to take
measures against violators. The control room also display the weather forecast and wind direction data to monitor potential
smog related activities and intensities. Furthermore, the control room continuously monitors real-time Air Quality Index
(AQI) developed on the basis of low-cost sensors installed in highly polluted areas of District Lahore (at Karol Ghatti along
the Ring Road). This data enables prompt decision-making regarding the deployment of anti-smog squads in the pollution
hotspots.

2.4 Android-based complaint line

An Android application with a dashboard was developed by EPD Punjab in collaboration with the Punjab Information
Technology Board (PITB). The application is helpful to the anti-smog squads to upload and geo-tag smog monitoring

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 datasets to the dashboard including the number of inspections they carried out. The control room monitors and keeps track
of the movement of the squads. In addition to the already installed telephone line, a WhatsApp complaint number has been
introduced to make it easier for the public to report pollution sources from across the province. Every squad was instructed
to respond to citizen concerns within 24 hours.

2.5 Hospital waste management

Through the Punjab Hospital Waste Management Rules (2014), which were notified under Section 31 of the Act, EPA
Punjab regulates the management of infectious waste of hospitals, carried out by respective hospitals, from its generation
to disposal. Under these rules, all hospitals in the province are required to make sure that infectious hospital waste is
appropriately and safely disposed-off throughout the process from its collection, transport, treatment and to final disposal
stage. For making sure that the rules are being followed, Deputy/Assistant Directors (Environment) randomly inspect
hospitals in their area of jurisdiction and report to EPA headquarter to ensure compliance to the rules. Any contraventions
are dealt through proper channel under section 16 of the Act ibid (Rule 23). In instances of continuous violation and non-
compliance with the Orders, the Complaints are regularly placed before the Punjab Environmental Tribunal under Section
21 of the Act, ibid.
EPA Punjab visited about 2169 public and private hospitals in 2022. Following these inspections, the non-compliant
hospitals were issued 123 Environmental Protection Orders and around 832 hearing notices.

3. MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

3.1 Tree plantation
In wake of improving environmental quality, EPA Punjab promotes tree plantation by issuing environmental approvals
to industrial projects with one of the conditions to plant certain number of trees in project premises or other places under
intimation to EPA Field Officer.
Under the supervision of EPA Field offices and in coordination with numerous stakeholders, 705,650 trees were planted
across Punjab (Figure 6-5).

Figure: 6-5 District wise Number of tree planted during 2022

The Agency advocates the plantation of eco-friendly tree species that can contribute significantly towards environmental
improvement in terms of capturing carbon, stabilizing soil, recharging aquifers, providing habitat, releasing plenty of
oxygen and having capacity to absorb particulate matter. EPA HQ has directed EPA Field formation to stop the plantation
of Conocarpus (Buttonwood) and to replace already existing plantation with some other tree species wherever possible.
The reason for prohibiting plantation of this tree was the production of allergic pollens and its wide and deep root network
that compete for available resources (water) with other tree species.
EPA Punjab also participated in the following plantation activities organized by Punjab Forest Department:

3.1.1 Spring tree plantation campaign

In the third week of February 2022, the Punjab Forest Department launched spring tree-plantation campaign. The action
plan/strategy to run this campaign was shared with relevant key provincial departments, including the EPD, Punjab. The

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 PAGE 25

3000
action plan listed sector specific plantation targets, reporting mechanism and plantation festivals to be celebrated under this
campaign.
EPA Punjab2500enthusiastically supported this remarkable event through rigorous campaigns of planting trees in the province
and other co-activities, such as:
i. Tree Plantation Targets: Plantation of about 10,000 to 15,000 trees was planned in each district. Under the
2000
directions of EPA Field Formation, 362,181 trees were planted during the spring campaign in total. In districts Chakwal,
Faisalabad, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Gujrat, Sardgodha and Rajanpur, trees were planted more than the set target.
ii. Plant
1500 for Pakistan Day: The said day was also celebrated in each district.
iii. Media Campaign: A mass media campaign was initiated with the following objectives: (table 6-3)
1000
Table 6-3: Activities of Tree Plantation

500

0
Bahawalpur D.G. Khan Faisalabad Gujranwala Lahore Multan Rawalpindi Sahiwal Sargodha
Divisional HQs of Punjab

Irrigated Un-Irrigated

3.1.2 Figure 1-6: Irrigated and Un-irrigated Land in Punjab (Thousand Hectares)
Green week
In Punjab, a ‘Green Week’ was celebrated from 14-20 August, 2022 and about 99,570 trees were planted during this week.
(Figure 6-6) PAGE 106

25000

20000
Number of Trees

15000

10000

5000

0
Jhang
Gujrat
Bahawalpur

Chiniot

D.G Khan

Gujranwala
Hafizabad

Kasur

Lahore

Multan

Okara

Sahiwal
Attock

Khanewal

Narowal

Rajanpur
Bhakkar

Chakwal

Lodhran

Rawalpindi

Sargodha

T.T Sing
Muzaffar Garh
MB Din
Bahawalnagar

Faisalabad

Layyah

Mianwali

Nankana Sahib

Pakpattan

Sheikhupura
Sialkot

Vehari
Khushab

R.Y.Khan
Jhelum

Districts

Figure
Figure 6-6 Number of trees 6-6during Green Week
planted

3.2 Punjab green development program

Government of the Punjab launched a World Bank funded, Program for Results (PforR) namely “Punjab Green Development
Program” in 2018, which aimed at strengthening environmental governance and promoting green investments in Punjab.
The Program has eight Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs). The Program has enabled EPD Punjab in initiating multiple
initiatives to strengthen environmental governance in the province.

3.3 Regulatory and institutional reforms

3.3.1 Restructuring of the Environment Protection Department
Under PGDP, EPD is improving its organizational structure, reforming its regulatory regime, and modernizing its
administrative procedures and systems. The restructuring plan of EPD Punjab has been finalized and got approved from
the Provincial Cabinet. The plan provides provisions for establishing the Environmental Technology Centre (ETC),
Environmental Policy Centre (EPC), and Environmental Monitoring Centre (EMC) under the Environment Protection
Department. EMC will establish a network of air and water quality monitoring equipment and a reference laboratory; EPC
will support sound environmental policymaking for example, pollution management, resource uses, and climate mitigation/
adaptation; and ETC will identify, pilot, and demonstrate RECP and pollution control technologies for priority sectors and

105
 GHG sources. EPD initiated the key steps required for the effective implementation of the restructuring plan during the
year 2022, amendments in the EPD’s Rules of Business and got around 280 regular positions sanctioned by the Finance
Department.
To address the lack of facilities, which drastically limits the EPD’s capacity to perform its functions, EPD Punjab also
envisions the construction of a green building in Lahore to host the EPD and its operational wings. The department has
commenced work for establishment of Green Building to house EPD and its operational wings. In addition, approval
of project proposals for establishment of EPA Complexes in six divisions of Punjab has also remained a remarkable
achievement during 2022.

3.3.2 Notification of health advisory system for critical air pollution events
In December 2022, the EPD Punjab Gazette notified the ‘Health Advisory System for Critical Air Pollution Events (HAS-
CAPEs) targeting vulnerable demographic groups. The key characteristics or HAS-CAPEs components are listed below:
I. Establishing institutional arrangements by creating a Steering Committee (an Apex Body), a Provincial CAPEs
Committee (for monitoring and assessing CAPEs), and District Critical Air Pollution Events Committees (DCC) in
districts for effective HAS-CAPEs implementation.
II. Development of an action plan and the steps that the District Critical Air Pollution Events Committees (DCC) and
related Departments will take to tackle significant instances of air pollution.
III. Issuing health advisory notes for vulnerable populations and the general public.

3.3.3 Updated IEE and EIA review regulations

Under Section 12 of the Punjab Environment Protection Act (1997), EPA Punjab has notified in gazette the ‘Punjab Review
of IEE and EIA Regulations (2022)’. The IEE and EIA Regulations (2000) of the PAK-EPA were previously followed
for the issues of environmental approvals. It is a noteworthy effort on the part of EPA Punjab to create its own provincial
regulations to assess and categorize the development projects that can have an impact on the environment through IEE or
EIA.
These regulations have been framed to operate under the Government of Punjab’s vision of ‘Ease of Doing Business
(EoDB)’. The process of issuance of environmental approvals has been simplified and shortened through execution of these
regulations. For instance, the duration between advertisement of Public Hearing Notice and date of public hearing required
for EIA approvals has been reduced to 7 days from 30 days. The list of Schedule I and Schedule II projects have also been
updated, keeping in view the diversity of industrial projects in the province.

3.3.4 Plastic waste management strategy and regulations on single-use plastics

The demand for the single-use plastics and other plastic products is very high in Punjab (~ 1.3 million tons/year) especially
for PET bottles and LDPE bags. The majority of this plastic, except PET bottles, ends up in landfills or litters the streets.
In year 2022, EPD through SPIU under DLI 4 of the PGDP (Punjab Green Development Program) hired a consultant to
prepare ‘Plastic Management Strategy and Regulations on the production and consumption of single-use plastics’. The
strategy is being developed after reviewing the best practices to manage plastics (at international and regional level).
Field trips and key informant interviews were carried out to gather information on the producers, recyclers, collectors
and consumers of plastics. Furthermore, three consultative sessions were held to evolve the strategy and regulations.
Representatives from the academic community, related government agencies, NGOs, plastic manufacturing association,
plastic producers, recyclers, retailers and consumers attended these sessions. In December 2022, the draft strategy was
completed and submitted for approval to the Punjab Environmental Protection Council.

3.3.5 Revision of existing PEQS and development of industry-specific environmental quality

standards (EQS)
A project titled ‘Establishment of Missing Environmental Quality Standards and Revision of Existing Standards’ was
started to develop industry-specific standards in addition to rationalizing the current PEQS for their effective enforcement.
In 2022, the project execution was commenced. The industries of paper and pulp, pesticides, ceramics, paint, brick kilns,
cement plants, stone crushing units, pharmaceutical industry, thermal power plants, ethanol and distilleries, tanneries
and leather, integrated textile units of cotton, woolen and polyester units with printing, dyeing, bleaching process, or
manufacturing and garment units, foundries and smelting industries were selected for which the development of EQS has
been initiated.

3.3.6 Clean air policy and action plan

The Environment Protection Department Punjab revised and updated ‘Policy on Controlling Smog’ (2017) to ‘Punjab
Clean Air Policy’. Under this policy, a Clean Air Action Plan was also devised to implement the policy in true letter and
spirit.

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3.3.7 Punjab climate change policy
EPD has taken lead to formulate an inclusive ‘Punjab Climate Change Policy’ as affirmation of the national and international
mitigation and adaptation commitments and to strengthen the resilience of the Province against the anticipated and current
effects of climate change.
Additionally, EPA Punjab is making the following contributions for climate action at the provincial level:
i. Through environmental approvals, regulate the industries to prevent/minimize pollution load resulting from
development
ii. Encourage plantations to generate carbon sinks
iii. Promoting rainwater harvesting and water conservation techniques through environmental approvals

4. OTHER MEASURES
4.1 Installation of air and water quality monitoring stations
EPD Punjab has started a project called ‘Enhancing the air quality monitoring system in Punjab’ and is moving forward
rapidly in this direction. Following the plan, 30 Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) would be installed in the
ten districts of the Province i.e. Gujranwala, Lahore, Multan, Sheikhupura, DG Khan, Sialkot, Sargodha, Bahawalpur,
Rawalpindi and Faisalabad. Six criteria air pollutants and other meteorological data related to ambient air pollution will be
monitored by the AQMS. In 2022, pre-qualification of the contractor to install AQMSs started after the locations for these
installations were chosen. Additionally, the efforts were taken to repair the existing AQMS.

Similar to this, 15 water quality monitoring stations would be installed under another project ‘Enhanced Water Quality
Monitoring System in Punjab’ in the various districts of Punjab. Each station will be equipped with a variety of pollutant
analyzers/probes, a real-time flow information system and a data logger. Environmental Monitoring Centre (EMC) of EPD
Punjab will house an integrated data-collection system that will connect the stations.
4.2 Pilot of low-cost wastewater treatment plants
EPD Punjab plans to identify, construct and test low-cost decentralized solutions to treat the domestic wastewater for
villages, housing schemes and towns etc. A feasibility study for piloting such wastewater treatment plants has been placed
in ADP 2022-23.
4.3 Establishment of Environment Endowment Fund (EEF)
In order to bring sustainability to environmental interventions in future, Punjab Government has established an
“Environment Endowment Fund” of USD 50 million under DLI-8 of the PGDP. The government is going to establish a legal
and institutional structure for execution of this fund. Endowment fund investment returns will be used to finance eligible
environmental projects/activities for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, the
prevention and control of pollution, the sustainable development of resources and for research in any specified aspect of
environment.
4.4 Automation regime of EPD
A project titled ‘Automation Regime of Environment Protection Department’ was approved in ADP 2022-2023 to improve
the EPA/EPD for better service delivery by digitizing current manual processes and fostering E-Governance. The main
objectives of the project are to design and develop new applications which integrate and synchronize information with
existing applications, build an IT infrastructure to implement the systems (linking to the dashboard) in EPD and upgrade
the current EPD website.
5. THE WAY FORWARD
Expeditious implementation of restructuring plan: Restructuring and strengthening of EPD Punjab is targeted to be
achieved through establishment of EEF, EMC and EPC till December, 2023. Whereas, establishment of the ETC is targeted
to be established till December 2024, for achieving visible results in the form of improved environmental governance.
Legislative Reforms: There is need to legislate upon the environmental sub-areas still to be regulated by the department,
such as solid waste, soil quality, e-waste, climate change, etc. to communize the agenda of sustainable development.
Implementation of Health Advisory: Implementation of health advisory system can dramatically increase the system's
ability to respond to CAPEs and other environmental issues in the province and assist protect vulnerable communities.
Citizen Engagement: The environmental governance may be strengthened through augmentation of the citizen
engagement activities such as the establishment of hotlines, interactive data portals, etc. Employing e-governance and data
democratization may assist EPA Punjab in filling up the gaps in Punjab’s current regulatory framework.
Public Communication Campaigns: Maximum public communication campaigns on significant environmental issues
e.g., negative environmental and health impacts of single use plastics may be organized.

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 CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLAINT REDRESSAL
1. OVERVIEW
EPA Punjab has been working proactively in order to resolve the environmental related grievances receiving through
different channels of preliminary examination defining various steps of complaints investigations. Through a formally
established grievance redressal procedure, the Punjab Environment Protection Act 1997 offers a special set of provisions
for the prompt resolution of environmental grievances throughout Punjab. Additionally, the Agency may conduct inquiries
or investigations into environmental issues under Section 6 sub-section 2 (a) of the ibid Act, either on its own initiative or
in response to complaints from any individual or organization. There are numerous channels available for filing grievances
or complaints related to the environment by the complainants who may show serious concerns about rapidly deteriorating
environmental quality.
At present, complaints cannot be filed electronically through official website of EPD Punjab. However, the main channels
through which a complainant can lodge an environmental complaint are as follows:
a. By mail or post, by submitting a printed copy of the complaint to the relevant office.
b. Electronically through the Chief Secretary complaint cell, Prime Minister Delivery Unit, or by sending an email
to the relevant quarters.
c. Manually in any of the offices of Secretary Environment, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Secretary, Chief Minister,
Director General of EPA, Environmental field officer of the concerned district.
Once a complaint is received, it is properly documented, filed, and investigated through site inspections and personal
hearings before being processed for resolution. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the length of the grievance
resolution process may change.
2. Grievance Redressal Mechanism KEY FINDINGS
Grievance Redressal Mechanism is providing an EPA regulates the quality of environmental parameters in compliance
with Punjab Environment Quality Standards followed by regular
institutional framework to resolve the public grievances procedures to keep a continue check on air, water, soil, noise,
through the filing of complaints on environmental wastewater and solid waste management to protect the environment
and human health.
issues. In compliance with PEPA, 1997, it is an
instrument providing methods and processes regarding The Punjab Environment Protection Act, 1997 provides a unique
effective redressal of environmental complaints for the set of arrangements for the redressal of environmental complaints
proactively across Punjab through a formalized established Grievance
early detection, evaluation, and prompt resolution of Redressal mechanism.
environmental hazards.
If a complaint regarding the environment is received by EPA receives complaints of different natures regarding various
EPA HQs that falls under the purview of a district in- environmental issues and addresses them by taking corrective
measures, lodging FIRs or by sealing polluting source units.
charge or Field Officer of the environment, it is sent to
that district in-charge for review and resolution. Each
Field Officer Environment has been given authority to EPA has received a total of 1091 complaints from 36 districts across
handle environmental concerns in a timely manner at Punjab in the year 2022, of which 63% complaints were resolved.
the district level. The district in-charge or members
of its staff visit the site after receiving the complaint
to determine its details. The district in-charge may ask Faisalabad district remained at top receiving highest number of
complaints (116), while Lahore remained second with 99 registered
the environmental laboratory to collect site samples complaints.
and provide monitoring reports in order to prove the
infringement under Section 11 of the Act ibid.
No person or entity may in accordance with Section Almost 47% of the complaints were related to air pollution showing
public concerns towards clean air.
11 of the aforementioned Act, is allowed to ‘discharge
or emit or allow the discharge or emission of any
effluent or waste or air pollutant or noise in an amount, Other complaints received in EPA were related to hazardous/
Hospitals/Municipal Solid waste, noise, cancellation of environmental
concentration or level which is in excess of the PEQS approval/operation without Environmental Approval, untreated
or, where applicable, the standards established under wastewater, sub-standard fuel used for combustion and soil pollution/
land degradation.
clause (g) of Sub-section (1) of section 6 of the Act ibid’
A site inspection report is generated after the visit
There is dire need to introduce automated digital system in EPA
which is then referred to Directorate of Planning and Punjab for not only instant complaint lodging by the community but
Coordination in the EPA, Punjab or environment also to track the progress of the complaints redressal and their timely
closure. This automated system shall be secure, transparent and free
offices of district for further action. A hearing notice from any sort of data loss for efficient record keeping.
is then issued to the accused to defend the case.
An Environmental Protection Order is issued in
accordance with section 16 of the aforementioned Act, Effective monitoring of this resolution mechanism for its efficacy will
increase the trust of public regarding addressing of their complaints.
if no response is received or if the response is deemed

109
 inadequate. Section 16(1) of the Act states, ‘the Provincial Agency may, after giving the person responsible for such acts
an opportunity of being heard, by order, direct such person to take such measures as the Provincial Agency may consider
necessary within such period as may be specified in the order for any violation’.

Site inspection by
Complaint received Referred to District district incharge for
by EPA HQs Incharge verification of
complaint details

Review of report by
Onsite sampling
district Preparation of Site
and monitoring
environmnetal Inspection report
reports
officer

Referred to Issuance of
Issuance of hearing
Directorate (P & C) Environment
notice to accused
in EPA Protection Order

Environmnetal
Tribunal/
Magistrate

Figure 7-1 Legal framework for the processing of complaint through grievance redressal mechanism

In addition to the above-mentioned mechanism Lahore High Court is also authorized through certain orders to impose fines
on violators. These legal frameworks define the contours of an appropriate and accessible grievance redressal mechanism
for affected entities to lodge/pursue their complaints related to environmental issues.
3. Nature of complaints
During the year 2022, complaints received by the EPA were related to the following environmental issues
• Air Pollution (means contamination of environment by any substance in undesirable quantity)
• Untreated industrial and municipal wastewater
• Noise Pollution (means the intensity, duration, and character of sounds from all sources, including vibration)
• Hazardous/Hospital (refers to the waste that contains any hazardous substance or which may be classified as
hazardous waste under certain conditions, including nuclear waste and hospital waste)
• Sub-standard Fuel used for combustion
• Cancellation of Environmental Approval/Operation without Environmental Approval
• Soil Pollution/Land Degradation (means the presence of toxic chemicals and pollutants or contaminants in the
soil high concentrations to pose risks to human and ecosystem health)
• Others (Poly-ethylene bags, dust, spray polish, crop residue burning, odor and traffic management etc.)
4. REGULATORY MEASURES
EPA received a total of 1091 complaints related to environmental pollution from 36 districts across Punjab in 2022.
Almost half of those complaints (512) were related to air pollution. Other pollution complaints included were about
hazardous waste, noise, untreated wastewater, sub-standard fuel and municipal waste. Figure 7-2 shows the total number
of complaints received by different districts in Punjab.

75%
12%

110
 Figure 7-2 Total number of complaints registered in 36 districts of Punjab
Faisalabad District received highest number of complaints (116) followed by Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat (99, 76, and
69, respectively). Maximum number of air pollution related complaints were (75) registered in Lahore. Figure 7-3 displays
the geographic distribution, sources and categorization of registered environmental complaints.

Figure 7-3 District Wise Environmental Complaints (Sources & Categorization)

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 Some of the districts in Punjab received frequent complaints regarding noise, cancellation of environmental approvals,
hazardous waste and air pollution. Figure 7-4 shows number of complaints received for various categories of environmental
pollution.

Complaints Categorization
Others
Air, Hazadous , Noise NOC, & other
Soil Pollution/…
Sub-standard fuel used for combustion
Untreated waste Water
Cancellation of NOC/Operation without NOC
Hazardours/Hospitals/…
Noise Pollution
Air Pollution
Total Complaints

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Figure 7-4 Complaints received in different categories

The majority of complaints were lodged in Gujranwala and Faisalabad districts against the foundries, brick kilns, woolen
looms, steel mills, welding plants, dying units, generators, power looms, metal works, ceramics and textile industries. After
filing and specifying the category of the complaint, a proactive strategy is adopted to swiftly process it through various
preliminary examination channels. These channels define different steps of complaint investigations and facilitate in an
easy resolution process.
The standard process to address the complaints is as follows:
• File and receive complaints
• An initial assessment (to determine whether the complaint relates to an environmental problem or not). Site
inspections and investigations are conducted to address the complaint. If the complaint is related to another
department, it is referred there for appropriate action as needed in accordance with their area of control and
jurisdiction.
• Sending the complaint and Site Inspection Report to EPA Headquarters;
• Issuing a district-level hearing notice or Environmental Protection Order.
When a fact is established that complaint is genuine, the measures for their redressal include an array of actions including
filing the complaint in the Punjab Environmental Tribunal (PET), Sealing of the Units, Decision of Environment Magistrate,
Imposition of fine or Filing of FIRs with Police Stations and asking the pollution causing units to take corrective measures
to improve the environment. Out of the total 1091 registered complaints, 63% were resolved, 6%----FIRs were issued and
units were sealed for 9% of the complaints, rest are being processed through various modes of actions to resolve them
effectively as shown in (Figure 7-5).
Summary of Environmental Complaints Received vis-à-vis Action Taken
1%2%
19%

6%

63%
9%

1%
3%

Resolved Under Trial in PET or Env. Magistrate

Final Decision of PET or Env. Magisterate Sealed/Desealed
FIRs/Person arrested Under Process
Dropped Forwarded
Figure 7-5 Action taken against complaints (January-December, 2022)

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4.1 Details of FIRs
A total of 68 FIRs were filed in response to the 1091 total registered complaints. Out of that maximum number of FIRs were
filed in Multan (11). Figure 7-6 shows the total number of FIRs lodged against complaints in various districts of Punjab.

FIRs lodged against complaints

T.T. Sing
SKP FIRs Complaints
Sargodha
RY Khan
Rajanpur
Multan
Lahore
Khushab
Khanewal
Kasur
Jhang
Gujrat
Faisalabad
D.G. Khan
Bahawalnagar

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Bahawaln Faisalaba
D.G. Khan Gujrat Jhang Kasur Khanewal Khushab Lahore Multan Rajanpur RY Khan Sargodha SKP T.T. Sing
agar d
FIRs 2 3 9 3 1 4 2 1 1 11 2 3 1 15 3
Complaints 29 31 116 69 19 31 34 20 99 39 7 19 11 22 19

Figure 7-6: Detail of FIRs lodged in Punjab against environmental issues

4.2 Details of Units Sealed

Total 93 units were sealed from which 26 units were sealed in Lahore against 99 received complaints. In Gujrat 25 units
were sealed against 69 complaints. The sealed units mostly foundries, brick kilns, pottery kilns, soap manufacturing units,
and Atta chakis. However, these complaints were ultimately settled (Figure 7-7).

Figure 7-7 Detail of Units sealed upon complaints in Punjab

4.3 Details of Fine Imposed

Sixteen out of 36 districts in Punjab reported imposition of fine subjecting to different amounts starting from PKR 5,000
and maximum fine imposed was in District Narowal that amounted to PKR 4,750,000 (Figure 7-9).

113
 Figure 7-8 Fine imposed against complaints (January-December, 2022)

5. THE WAY FORWARD

Proactive Approach: A Grievance Redressal Mechanism should have a clear structure that explicitly spells out how
to functions effectively, defining the roles and responsibilities for each tier. The resolution of environmental complaints
requires proactive approach to manage the data and review the progress in terms of their redressal.
Complaint Management System: The unavailability of on-line complaint management system results in difficulty to
track and monitor the complaints effectively. There is need to introduce an online complaint management system.
Capacity Building Programs: Needs to introduce capacity building programs to strengthen the capacity for effective
handling, assessment, resolution, coordination and monitoring different types of complaints.

Notification of Grievance Redressal Committee: Dedicated GRC should be notified at department level looking
vigorously at progress ensuring compliance with environmental regulatory framework for redressal of complaints on
monthly basis.
Public Disclosure: Publication of GRM reports on monthly basis to monitor the progress regarding efficient and effective
redressal of complaints. This report will define the district wise mapping of complaints from where complaints are generated
at the most pertaining to environment and social issues. This will also explain the information regarding community
concerns with environment for better service delivery.

114
115
 CHAPTER 8 STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTATION & PUBLIC FEEDBACK
“Stakeholder consultations” were carried out through two rounds of public hearings, one on the proposed content of the
report and another on the draft report, through formal hearings and online public comments on the Environment Protection
Department’s website. Concerned Government departments, chambers of commerce, industrial associations, civil society
organizations, media, academia and donors were invited through formal letters to attend the sessions.

1. FIRST ROUND – ON PROPOSED CONTENTS

Advertisement was given in the newspaper on 5th October, 2022 to start the first round in the form of public hearing. It
was conducted on 7th November, 2022 (Figure 8-1 to 8-2). Along with advertisement, written letters were also sent to
stakeholders to get their feedback on the proposed contents. Response from different departments as Irrigation Department,
Sialkot Chamber of Industry, Agriculture Department, Punjab Healthcare Commission, and The Urban Unit was received
via letters/emails.

1.1 Keys findings on Proposed Contents (07.11.2022)

Followings are the highlights of proceedings including response received via letters/emails:
• Inclusion of climate change; overview of water resources in Punjab and its quantity and quality status; mapping
of pollution sources with trend analysis and challenges in water quality; implementation mechanism for best
management practices and separate heading for water quality monitoring.
• Solid waste, its collection, re-utilization for recycling, training for reduction of plastic waste, hospital waste,
industrial waste as well as awareness seminars along with a small documentaries on environment friendly practices
should be incorporated in report.
• Map for air, water and soil quality, geo locations of hazard sites, reclamation plan of polluted sites and legal
framework for banning crop cultivation over polluted sites may be added.
• Inclusion of summary of various environmental factors and pollutants impacting the health status of the people in
Punjab. Summary should also include an account of any baseline study, basic data on prevalence of such factors,
impact of measures taken so far on the overall health status of populations exposed to such risks, and projected
magnitude of the risk associated and measure to control such pollutants.
• Addition of data to find hotspots, portray historic, current, and future trends, foresee future states (predictions/
forecasting) and draw concrete conclusions (specifically policy and regulatory reforms). Components of
biodiversity, forestry/green cover, solid waste, urban sprawl, and environmental health related issues, GIS1 and
RS2 mapping and environmental modelling and the correlation between multiple drivers, pressures and states are
also recommended to include in report.
• Need to include information of United Nation declaration for environment as a fundamental right, proper sanitation
practices and ground water depletion verses water recharge rates.
• Importance of environmental awareness for children, trans boundary effects of air pollution as well as water
pollution, strengthening feedback loop and introduced effective citizen engagement must be highlighted in report.
• Defining the mechanism for greening the brown patches of land, and enhancing the building sense of ownership
through community engagement at UC3 level.
• Certain issues to address water scarcity, development of zero carbon emissions, tree plantation, introducing public
transport mechanism as well as promoting initiatives for electricity generation from municipal solid waste are
needed to highlight.
• Inclusion of information related to effective community ownership for stoppage of water wastage in our daily life,
water metering, water recharge galleries and installation of waste water treatment plants.
• issuance of environmental permits for the operational phase should address the environmental concerns,
introduction of sanitary products for the water conservations and ensuring compliance with the environmental
standards. Poultry industry is strictly required to adopt the sustainable mechanism.
• Highlighting that children are facing immense air pollution levels due to smog and got sick during winter season.
Transport policy as well as fuel policy are the federal subjects which need to address to curb 80% of sectorial
emissions. Shutting down of schools are not a solution to face these challenges. It is just the passing the buck of
federal government to schools.
• Information on water conservation and water consumption patterns along with proposing Action Plans should be
inculded accordingly.

1
Geographical Information System
2
Remote Sensing
3
Union council

116
 • Nature base solutions for soil, water, and air as well as measures for soil desertification control may be provided
in report.
• Report highlighted the importance of hospital waste along with municipal solid waste as well as need to draw the
linkages for burden of diseases with water/ air quality.

Figure 8-1: Public Hearing on 7.11.2022

Figure 8-2: Public Hearing on 7.11.2022

2. SECOND ROUND – ON DRAFT REPORT

The second round of public hearing on draft report was initiated with the posting of draft report on the website4 (3rd
April 2023). Afterwards, an advertisement was also made in the newspaper (19th April 2023) for inviting stakeholders in
the public hearing event which was carried out on 27th April, 2023. In addition to it, individual letters were also written
to stakeholder for attending the event. Stakeholders belonging to different sectors including the public sector (Livestock
Department, The Urban Unit, P&D5 Board Office, Industry Department, Transport Planning Department, Irrigation
Department Mines & Minerals Department, WASA6 Rawalpindi and Faisalabad),industrial sector (associations of different
industries and Chambers of Commerce & Industry), academia (Government College University, Lahore, University of
Engineering & Technology, Lahore, University of the Punjab) and non-governmental organizations (UNICEF7 , WWF8 ,
LCS) participated in the event (Figure 8-3 to 8-6).

4
https://epd.punjab.gov.pk/system/files/SOE%20Report.pdf
5
Planning & Development Board
6
Water and Sanitation Agency
7
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
8
World Wide Fund

117
 2.1 Keys findings on Draft Report (27th April, 2023)
• Pertaining to the constraints in primary data availability regarding climate change, heat wave and Punjab forest
policy, secondary data could be used precisely to address these environment issues.
• Needs to classify city with respect to smog, and water related issues across Punjab. Polluter’s pay principle &
people’s willingness to pay may be added appropriately for environment betterment and requested to update report
accordingly. Awareness raising on smog and environmental issues are needed to enhanced.
• Catalytic converter requires DE carbonization.
• In addition to information on Air, Water and Soil, there is also need to include detail regarding forestry and
impacts of floods on the quality of surface water either to reduce the pollution load or by adding new pollutants
and GHG9 emissions.
• Over use of Nitrogen fertilizers is common. Wheat, cotton crop residues are used to burnt. But, their impacts in
temperature rising is needed to cover.
• Need to identify champions in every department and to strengthen the coordination mechanism among them.
• Mines and Mineral is very important sector; but limited information is provided in report regarding development
sector to address environment and social issues.
• Ambient Air Quality - health effects and impacts are required to quantity and efforts to calculate DALYs10 and
economic cost of environmental pollution on individuals and communities so affected.
• Capacity building of local organizations for water quality monitoring and treatment is mandatory. It is prerequisite
to engage public, private and civil sectors in the development of joint policy framework to address water quality
challenges.
• Industrial and agricultural sectors need to be obliged to process their waste before being discharged particularly
following the “Zero Liquid Discharge” policy.
• Rain water harvesting should be introduced for water recharge. In first phase it may be used in all government
offices and new developed housing societies (green belts/ parks and industries).
• The industry and academia linkages may be involved in research for water conservations in industry and agriculture
sector.

Figure 8-3: Public Hearing on 27.04.2023 Figure 8-4: Public Hearing on

(Registration Desk) 27.04.2023(Interactive session)

Figure 8-5: Public Hearing on 27.04.2023 Figure 8-6: Public Hearing on

(Interactive session) 27.04.2023(Group Photo

9
Greenhouse Gase
10
Disability-adjusted life years

118
2.2 Response of Environment Protection Department
Environment Protection Department acknowledged all comments and feedback given by the honorable stakeholders.
Secretary EPD, Director General EPA, Project Director SPIU, Additional Secretary, EPD and Director (EPP), SPIU
responded every question during the both sessions of public hearings pertaining to the first round on contents and second on
draft report. Every possible effort was made to prepare the report in accordance with comments raised during these sessions.
However, if there is any limitation the same have been incorporated in the action plan appropriately. The comments have
also been appropriately addressed in the relevant chapters of the report.

119
120
 CHAPTER 9 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN
1. Overview
Environment Protection Department and Environmental Protection Agency are enforcing laws, rules and regulations
relevant to environmental issues. This has become possible after strenuous efforts and striving commitment. But more
efforts are required to keep pace with rapid urbanization, industrialization, and increasing complexity of environmental
problems. Environmental governance should be strengthened in order to accomplish goals of sustainable development. The
interventions and sub-interventions of the Environmental Action Plan are given in Table 9-1. It is pertinent to mention here
that implementation of action plan is contingent upon the availability/confirmation of resources.
Table 9-1: Interventions and sub-interventions of the Environmental Action Plan

121
 The implementation of these interventions and sub-interventions have been distributed among the following agencies
i.e., Energy Department, Transport Department, LG&CD, C&W Department, WASAs, municipal authorities, Irrigation
Department, Mines and Minerals, Traffic Police, Forest Department and Industry Department. Private organizations are
also assigned other tasks.

In this Environmental Action Plan, there are a total of 71 sub-interventions under the given 11 interventions. These have been
set on a specific time scale i.e., Short Term (CY-23), Medium Term (CY-24) and Long Term (CY-25). Every intervention
with reference to the time lines is shown in Figure 9-1.

16

14

12 6

10

8
1 1
6 2
3 3 9 1
4 6 6
3 3 5
2
2 2
3 3
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
0
Citizen Solid Waste Water &
Fugitive Remodeling Sustainable
Engagemen (H.W & Industries Legislative Monitoring Others Vehicular waste
dust control env. Gov. Green Fin.
t I.W.) water
Long (CY-25) 1 3 2 3 1 1 6
Medium (CY-24) 3 2 3 3 6 6 2 2 5 1
Short (CY-23) 3 1 2 9 1 2 2 1

Short (CY-23) Medium (CY-24) Long (CY-25)

Figure 9-1: Role of organizations/departments in Environmental Action Plan

In these 71 sub-interventions, 21 Short-Term goals, 17 Long-Term goals and 33 Medium-Term goals are present in Figure
9-2.

17, 24%
21, 30%

33, 46%

Short Term (CY-23) Medium Term (CY-24) Long Term (CY-25)

Figure 9-2: Distribution of Environmental Action Plan in Short-Term, Medium-Term and Long-Term goals

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2. RESPONSIBILITIES
It is crucial to know that Environmental Action Plan can only be implemented given the availability of resources. For the
successful implementation of this plan, each agency/department has to nominate a focal person. Further, every department/
organization has to continuously monitor, gauge and improve the implementation of this plan. A mandatory reporting
protocol shall also be evolved for successful achievement of the plan. Every organization, whether public or private, should
understand its role in environmental management and prepare policies as well as action plans, accordingly. It is mandatory
that we take significant steps to preserve and protect our environment as it is crucial for our well-being, survival and for
next generations to come. The timelines of these interventions are explained in Table 9-2 and Environmental Action Plan
is given in Table 9-3.
Table 9-2: Timeline to complete/initiate sub-interventions of Environmental Action Plan

Short Term The targets under Short-Term category include immediate interventions. These
(CY-23) sub-interventions are to be completed/initiated in calendar year (CY) 2023.

Medium The targets under Medium-Term category require implementation of modern

Term strategies and policy support. These sub-interventions are to be completed
(CY-24)
/initiated in CY 2024.
Long Term Long Term category targets are to be completed/initiated till 2025.
(CY-25)
These sub-interventions require sustained policy measures.

Table 9-3: Environmental Action Plan

Area of Interventionstions

1- Legislative

Term Sub-interventions Responsibility

Medium Term 1-1 Notification of rules & regulations under the Punjab EPD
(CY-24) Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (like Hazardous Substance
Rules and implementation of MEAs given in the Schedule (e.g.,
Green House Gases/ UNFCCC, Biodiversity etc.)
Short Term 1-2 The Punjab Climate Change Policy EPD
(CY-23)

Medium Term 1-3 The Punjab Clean Air Act EPD

(CY-24)

Short Term 1-4 The Punjab Clean Air Policy & Action Plan EPD
(CY-23)
1-5 The Punjab Environmental Protection (Anti-SMOG) Rules EPD
1-6 Plastic Management Strategy EPD

1-7 Regulations on production and consumption of single use plastic EPD

1-8 Missing Environmental Quality Standards and revision of EPD
existing standards
Medium Term 1-9 Certification and labeling system for green, energy-saving Energy Department
(CY-24) products
1-10 Energy conservation standards for newly built urban buildings Energy Department
and industrial establishments.
1-11 Energy saving renovations/retrofitting in existing buildings and Energy Department
improved energy efficiency guidelines/ regulations/rules
1-12 E-Waste Management Rules EPD
Short Term 1-13 Hazardous Substance/ Waste Management policy and rules EPD
(CY-23) (including but not limited to forever chemicals, polychlorinated
biphenyls etc.)
1-14 Green Financing Strategy FD
1-15 Establishment of pollution release and transfer register EPD

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 2- Citizen Engagement

Term Sub-interventions Responsibility

Short Term 2-1 Establishment of hotline EPD
(CY-23)
2-2 Establishment of interactive data portal for getting public input EPD
on environmental management
Medium Term 2-3 Establishment of air and water web-based data portal. Further, EPD
(CY-24) engage public, private and civil sectors in the development of joint
policy framework to address environmental challenges like air,
water quality.
2-4 Public communication campaigns on negative environmental EPD
and health impacts of single use plastic focusing on the child health.
Short Term 2-5 Disclosure of environmental information through electronic EPD
(CY-23) means
Long Term 2-6 Public communication campaigns on water conservation, rain EPD
(CY-25) water harvesting, and environment conservation etc. focusing on the
children.
Medium Term 2-7 Implementation of health advisory in the wake of critical air EPD
(CY-24) pollution events

3- Industries

Short Term 3-1 Geo tagging of industries (as well as others establishments EPD
(CY-23) having environmental concerns)
Medium Term 3-2 Implementation of resource efficiency and cleaner production Industry
(CY-24) technologies Department
Long Term 3-3 Implementation of zero water discharge/water conservations Industry
(CY-25) schemes in the water intensive industries like textiles, sugar etc. Department/ EPD
Medium Term 3-4 Introduction of carbon neutrality regime EPD
(CY-24)

Short Term 3-5 Financial assistance to green micro-enterprises Industry

(CY-23)
Department
Medium Term 3-6 Evaluation of impacts of pollution sources on the soil quality EPD
(CY-24)
Long Term 3-7 Comprehensive control of industrial establishments & reduced EPD
(CY-25) emission of multi pollutants, end of pipe particular matter remover,
installation of continuous emission monitoring systems etc.

4- Vehicular

Short 4-1 Devising mechanism for retiring excessively old vehicles and Transport
(CY-23) installation of catalytic converters/diesel particulate filter in the Department
vehicles
Medium Term 4-2 Enhancing the area of jurisdiction of vehicles inspection and Transport
(CY-24) certification regime to the private vehicles Department
4-3 Mandatory vehicle inspection certificate prior to sale and Transport
purchase of any vehicle regarding emission compliance Department/ Excise
Department
4-4 Promote mass transport facilities in the major urban centers of Transport
the province Department
4-5 Devising mechanism to increase road denials of excessively old/ Transport
pollution causing vehicles during high air pollution levels Department/ EPD

124
 Term Sub-interventions Responsibility
Long Term 4-6 Green transportation, standards, action plans & solutions Transport
(CY-25) Department
Medium Term 4-7 Road Engineering for removing traffic congestion in the major Traffic Police/
(CY-24) roads of the urban centers Development
Authorities/ MC

5- Monitoring

Medium Term 5-1 Installation of at least 30 ambient air quality monitoring stations EPD
(CY-24)
5-2 Installation of at least 15 water quality monitoring stations EPD
5-3 Establishment of a reference laboratory EPD
Short Term 5-4 Establishment of a GIS cell in EPD EPD
(CY-23)
Medium Term 5-5 Establishment of noise monitoring networks EPD
(CY-24)
5-6 Environmental monitoring of industrial effluents deteriorating EPD
the quality of river Ravi in Sheikhupura and Faisalabad
5-7 Investigation of sources of particulate matter for informed EPD
decision making in Punjab

6- Water & Waste Water

Long Term 6-1 Construction of storm/rain water underground water recharge LG&CD/ C&W
(CY-25) galleries in establishments (including public as well as private) Department
Medium Term 6-2 Water metering for every connection of domestic and industrial WASAs and
(CY-24) establishments along with provision of clean surface water to these municipal
authorities
Long Term 6-3 Rehabilitation of dams, rivers, drains, and canals. Also ensure Irrigation
(CY-25) the implementation of watershed management practices and increase Department
in water storage capacity of the province.
6-4 Conservation of natural habitats especially the Ramsar sites EPD
6-5 Installation of municipal waste water treatment plants against LG&CD/ Housing
each existing disposal station Authorities
6-6 Installation of industrial waste water treatment plants Private/EPD
6-7 Mandatory provision of construction of municipal waste water LG&CD
treatment plants in new establishment of disposal stations

7- Solid Waste & Hospital/ Industrial waste

Long Term 7-1 Establishment of Integrated solid waste management facilities in LG&CD
(CY-25) each urban as well as rural areas
Medium Term 7-2 Cleanup of the heaps of garbage spread around the vicinity and LG&CD
(CY-24) rehabilitation of land
7-3 Waste minimization (reduce, recycle, and reuses of MSW) to LG&CD
improve waste collection efficiency
Long Term 7-4 Installation of waste to energy projects in urban center LG&CD/Energy
(CY-25) Department
Medium Term 7-5 Provision of hospital waste management facilities by large Private/ Health
(CY-24) private hospitals (having more than 30 beds) Department
Long Term 7-6 Provision of industrial waste management facilities in industrial Industry
(CY-25) or cluster levels Department

125
 Term Sub-interventions Responsibility

8- Sustainable Green Financing

Short Term 8-1 Operationalization of environment endowment fund management EPD

(CY-23) unit
8-2 Devising operational guidelines for the disbursement of the Fund EPD

9- Fugitive dust control

Medium Term 9-1 Area pollution and dust control/urban dust management EPD/ Housing
(CY-24) Authorities/C&W
Short Term 9-2 Devising standards for controlling fugitive/ construction dust EPD
(CY-23) from road shoulders and construction sites.

Medium Term 9-3 Implementation of zero sand spillage regime regarding sand Mines & Minerals/
(CY-24) moving trolleys District Govt./
Traffic Police

10- Remodeling environmental governance

Short Term 10-1 Automation regime to expedite the public service delivery in EPD
(CY-23) Environment Protection Department
10-2 Establishment of Environmental Policy Center EPD
Medium Term 10-3 Establishment of Environmental Technology Transfer Center EPD
(CY-24)
10-4 Incentivization the environmentally compliant industries EPD/ MOCC/ FBR
Long Term 10-5 Collaboration/regional dialogues on transboundary water and EPD/MOCC
(CY-25) air pollution

11- Other

Medium Term 11-1 Construction of Green Buildings in Lahore EPD

(CY-24)

Long Term 11-2 Research and development for developing/adoption of EPD

(CY-25) indigenous technologies for pollution abatement preferably through
industry academia.
11-3 Establishment of woodlands especially in urban centers of Forest Department
indigenous and environment-friendly species
Medium Term 11-4 Establishment of noise-free zones EPD/ Development
(CY-24) Authorities
Long 11-5 Land-use classification of each district to gauge the urban LG&CD/
Term sprawl, development pattern etc. Development
(CY-25)
Authorities

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ANNEXURES
ANNEXURES

127
 Annexure I

Component Action Plan

Component 1: Assessment for air, surface water and groundwater, and soil quality as extracted from the available
monitoring data
Air  Existing air quality monitoring data of EPA Punjab
 Mobile AQMS mobilized for monitoring of 09 Divisional Head Quarters
 Available satellite data analyzed
Surface Water  Data acquired from Irrigation Department & PCRWR
 Monitoring by EPA Labs
Ground Water  HUD & PHE Department (WASAs) requested for provision of data
Soil Quality  Primary monitoring by EPA certified lab and secondary data

Component 2: Assessment of pollution sources that contributed to air, surface water and
soil quality
Air  Existing monitoring data of EPA Laboratories analyzed for assessment of
pollution sources
 Monitoring by EPA Labs
 Excise & Taxation Department & Transport Department requested for data
about registered vehicles & VICs
Water  Irrigation Department & PCRWR requested for provision of data
 Monitoring by EPA Labs
Ground Water  HUD & PHE Department (WASAs) requested for provision of data
Soil Quality  Primary monitoring by EPA certified lab and secondary data

Component 3: Assessment of environmental performance of wastewater treatment

facilities and solid waste management facilities”
Wastewater treatment  Data gathering on Geo-spatial (latitude & longitude) location of WWTPs
facilities  Assessment of environmental performance of facilities through monitoring by
EPA Labs
Solid waste manage-  Solid waste management facilities included municipal solid waste management
ment facilities facilities and hospital waste management facilities
 Assessment of SWM Facilities in 04 divisional headquarters by hiring short
term Consultancy
 Scoring of Solid Waste Management Facilities as per SWM Index

Component 4: Measures taken to control pollution and improve environmental quality

Action taken to  Data collection from EPA Punjab regarding the regulatory and
control pollution enforcement actions taken to control pollution during 2022
Actions taken to im-  Data collection from EPA Punjab and SP&IU, EPD Punjab regarding
prove environmental the actions taken to improve environmental quality during 2022
Quality

Component 5: Summary of environmental complaints received, classified by type of

environmental issue, as well as actions taken in respect thereof
Actions taken to  Data collection from EPA Punjab (Headquarter and Field Officers) regarding the
control pollution environmental complaints received and actions taken thereof

Component 6: Public feedback on the report and EPD’s responses thereto

 1st Consultative Session held successfully, SOER uploaded on EPD’s website
 2nd Consultative session on 27th April 2023.

Component 7: GoPb’s Environmental Action Plan for the following calendar years
Formulation of Environmental Action plan with well-defined timelines and responsibilities
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 Annexure II

Weather Trends in Punjab during 2022

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) records the data on average monthly weather trends on the basis of following
weather parameters:
o Mean maximum monthly temperature [measured in °C]
o Mean minimum average monthly temperature [measured in °C]
o Monthly rain (total/cumulative) [measured in millimetres]
General weather patterns are depicted in Annexure III.
The recorded weather patterns experienced in Punjab during 2022 are as follows:
a. Atmospheric pressure: The atmospheric pressure (or air pressure, hereon denoted by AtmP) indicator,
monitored at the station level throughout Punjab, depicted a general steady declining trend from January to June (2022).
Station Level Pressure

b. Average Temperature: Regarding average temperature recordings, a general inverted parabola-shaped trend
was observed. The temperatures began to rise at the start of the year and continued to rise till the mid of the year (June).
Thereafter – starting July – the temperatures began to dwindle, a trend that continued till the end of the year. Rahim Yar
Khan station
Mean Monthly Temperatures

reported the highest average temperature recorded for a particular month (May, 44.7 °C), summer season), while Murree
station (being located in a high-altitude/hilly area) reported the lowest average temperature recorded for a particular month
(January, winter season, -0.5 °C).
c. Relative Humidity: With regards to relative humidity, a general declining trend was observed that appeared
to taper off towards the end of the monitoring period, especially true for monitoring at 0300 hours. Multan City (@ 0300
hours) and Narowal (@ 1200 hours) stations reported the highest average relative humidity levels recorded for a particular
month (January 2022), while Rahim Yar Khan station reported the lowest average relative humidity levels recorded for a
particular month (April 2022, both times). Furthermore, as expected, it is also evident that the average relative humidity
levels decrease gradually as the day progresses.

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 Relative Humidity

D. Cumulative Monthly Rain: Regarding cumulative/total monthly rain measurements, a general inverted
parabola shaped trend ( ) was observed during the monitoring period i.e., higher in January, declining to low levels
before sharply rising and reaching peak levels around mid-year (incorporating the effects of monsoons around mid-year).
Following a sharp peak, the cumulative rain levels exhibit a declining trend to low levels in the later months. This is
expected and in accordance with the general weather pattern of lesser rain in winters compared with more in summers.
Gujranwala station reported the highest cumulative monthly rainfall recorded for a particular month (494.0 mm in July)
in the summer season; Narowal station reported the most cumulative monthly rainfall (203.1 mm in January) in the winter
season), while several stations reported the lowest cumulative monthly rainfall recorded for a particular month (0 mm or
traces) in both summer and winter seasons. Furthermore, on average, the highest average cumulative rain for a single month
was observed in July (252.4 mm) followed by August (136.9 mm), while April (2.9 mm) observed the least average rainfall
in the province, with December (4.6 mm) trailing close.

Average Monthly Rain

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Wind Speed: Regarding wind speed recording, a gradual rising trend was observed throughout the monitoring period.
Lahore A/P station reported the highest average wind speeds recorded for a particular month (May 2022, summer season);
several stations reported the lowest average wind speeds (0 knots) recorded for a particular month (reported in the winter
season)

Mean Wind Speed

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 Annexure III
General Weather Patterns – PMD Stations in Punjab [Jan-Jun 2022]

N.B.:
1. ‘DNA’ means that data was not available for that particular station.
2. Data for station level pressure is not available for 6 stations; thus, averages and trends are calculated taking the
available data into account. For other parameters, data is available for all stations; thus, all available data is employed
into these computations.
3. Data is not available for 6 months for temperature (both max and min) and cumulative rainfall for a number of stations.
All computations are thus undertaken with consideration of this limitation.
4. Wherever monthly rain is designated as ‘TR’, it is taken as zero (0) mm for computation purposes.
5. The dominant wind direction is the predominant wind direction for the overall monitoring period as determined from
averaged monthly wind direction data.

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 Annexure IV
Breakpoints for calculation of AQI by EPA Punjab

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 Annexure V
Location-wise Analysis of Biochemical Indicators

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