Tackling smog situation

Smog in its worst form of the outdoor air pollution during the winter months has once again frequented over various districts of Punjab including Lahore and other adjacent parts of the country, creating overwhelming concerns in public health, education, environmental and economic sectors. Both the communities and the governments could not go beyond short-term management of the very sources of smog – a threatening man-caused problem. 

Reports suggest that the Punjab government issued various sets of guidelines covering the schools, hospitals and other businesses. Seeing no let-off, it declared state of emergency in Lahore and Multan, calling for closure of schools, special arrangements in hospitals and suspension of construction activities, etc. as the air-quality index (AQI) reading turned furious –setting new records.

Government and private offices were asked to observe the hybrid system of operations encouraging 50 per cent of staff to work from home, besides imposing a ban on night hours working and services in restaurants, restraining transport movement, cracking down on brick kilns and campaigning against stubble burning by farmers in fields. The government also held a trial of artificial rain using technology in selective districts.

In the meantime, Unicef Pakistan estimated that well-being of about 11 million children under five was in threat as they were exposed to toxic smog in the worst affected districts of Punjab. According to it, the impact of this year’s extraordinary smog will take time to assess but doubling and tripling the amount of pollution in the air will have devastating effects, particularly on children and pregnant women.

No doubt, air quality is equally crucial for all sections of people, irrespective of their ages and country or region they lived in. Those breathing well may only think about utilising other amenities and enjoying blessings. Sadly, populations in the developing and under-resourced countries are made to compromise in various walks of life, and environment is no exception to that—as such, “doing more” option could not be ignored totally. There should always be a room for going steadily and steadfast for the sake of young children -- the future of any society aimed at prosperity and sustainable development.

Effects of smog, climate change or human negligence would remain unaddressed till the time respective regulators and managers move actively, irrespective of the seasonal breakouts. Smoke emitted from industry and vehicles and intensive moisture of atmosphere due to air pollution are also the causes behind smog – a condition that demand adopting honest administrative and scientific measures and approaches.

Sooner or later, this country too have to tackle smog and the related factors holistically and for all time. The subject of this seasonal hazard needs to be taken up thoroughly, involving all the stakeholders. The smog emergencies call for a change in behaviour at all levels in order to make air quality better. Such a situation in Pakistan too demands government to facilitate the farmers to adopt scientific methods to remove the roots of cotton crops, after cutting them, and to sow new crops in order to avoid smog, which is very harmful to the health of people.

In addition, our cities are continuously losing the minimum air quality standards, as the quarters concerned did not place such a daunting public health task on their priority agenda.

Our designated environmental protectors and controllers at the Centre and in provinces are required to rise to the occasion and realign their activities to prevent further deterioration of air quality, and avert other similar human health damaging phenomena in future.

Editorial/Social Track, Karachi.