LAHORE, June 1: The Environment Protection Department (EPD) has devised a legislative framework for Punjab and simplified the procedure for the initial environmental examination.

Environment Secretary Saeed Iqbal Wahla said at a seminar titled “Green economy -- does it include you’ at a hotel on The Mall on Friday.

The seminar was organised by the EPD in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature in connection with the World Environment Day, which is celebrated all over the world on June 5.

Mr Wahla said: “We were first to respond to fill the void that was created soon after the devolution. Besides coming up with a Punjab specific protection act, we have formulated rules and regulations for various sectors, including poultry farms and BTS towers.”

Elaborating green economy, he said it could begin with devising green policies by the government for the business sector and ensuring implementation of these policies. He said new sectors for green economy could be identified through research. The sectors already identified included transport, agriculture, energy, green buildings, land use planning, industrial technology, legislating green economy and promoting sustainable development.

Chief guest Manshaullah Butt, advisor to chief minister, stressed the need to follow teachings of Islam to bring an overall improvement in the environment. “I am updated and educated on environment issues through this seminar,” he said.

Environment experts came up with their opinions and analyses on the issue.

Prof Dr Nawaz Chaudhry said 100 per cent recyclable products should be developed. He said in Europe cars were now 100 per cent recyclable. Research was under way to develop technology to recycle computers. Solid waste going to landfills was being rapidly decreased through recycling. In Norway, 85 per cent of the municipal solid waste had been diverted. Roads were being recycled to save ecosystems and check use of bitumen to protect environment. As much as 100 per cent of construction and demolition waste was now being recycled in Scandinavia.

Talking about green world and industrial ecology, Prof Chaudhry said cotton fluff of textile industry might be used as fuel or as raw material for yarn. He said plastic drums should be made for chemicals because these could be used again and again for this purpose. He said technology developed at the Punjab University helped recycle the waste water with dyes. He said research was under way at the Punjab University to recycle jeans and other dyed fabric waste.

The expert said modern technology should be used to insulate buildings and save 70 per cent of energy. This would help check global warming. Use solar tube wells in industry and agriculture without battery backup. Promote solar geysers and heaters, he added.

Rafay Alam, vice-president of the Pakistan Environmental Law Association, raised the point that why green economy was relevant? He said much capital was poured into property, fossil fuels and structured financial assets with embedded derivatives during the last two decades.

However, relatively little was invested in renewable energy, efficiency, public transportation, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem and biodiversity protection as well as land and water conservation. He said global growth and development in recent decades left the world and its resources at risk.

Prof Dr AR Saleemi said schools, colleges and universities must impart education and training about ecological, social, cultural and economic sustainability. They must incorporate sustainability into formal education and curriculum and adopt sustainable policies, programmes and projects to eliminate harmful environmental practices.

The EPD has organised a four-day gala to celebrate the World Environment Day from June 1 to 5. On June 2, a seminar will be held at the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture on environmental issues. Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah will inaugurate the Environmental Tribunal at Lytton Road.

On June 4, EPD will hold an exhibition of artworks with prime focus on the prevailing environmental situation at Alhamra Art Centre on The Mall and on June 5 a poetry sitting will be organised at Alhamra in connection with the World Environment Day.