LAHORE: Environmental experts say Lahore is under attack of lethal smog, similar to London and Los Angeles smog of 1950s, and called upon the government to take solid steps to avert this situation which has put health of everyone at stake.

They are unanimous in demanding immediate ban on entry of vehicles into busy areas of Lahore by providing public transport and imposition of heavy fines on those flouting rules and regulations related to environmental issues.

“The Great Smog hit London just for a week in 1952 when thousands of people died just because they could not breath. This lethal smog dominated the UK capital due to burning of coal, wood etc in industry, creating SO2 (Sulfur dioxide). Likewise, the Los Angeles smoke of 1940-50 was caused by a combination of vehicular fumes and industrial smoke, creating NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide). This triggered the phenomenon of ground level ozone that causes cardiovascular and lungs diseases due to excessive oxidation,” explains Abid Latif, Director (Climate Change & Communication) at the Ravi Urban Development Authority.

“The Lahore smog level of PM 2.5 and PM 10 is a recipe for disaster if not addressed with immediate effect,” he warned.

Liken Lahore smog to London and Los Angeles pollution in 1960s

For the last almost a decade, the problem has exacerbated from bad to very hazardous in Lahore and its surroundings. “This happened due to ignorance, inaction and inept attitude of people, public servants and politicians alike.”

According to him, the city of Lahore has become a Chernobyl. This is the only city suffering from both London and Los Angeles smog simultaneously. London recovered, Los Angeles recovered and even Beijing recovered which was also hit by smog in 2015 due to high carbon emissions.

“The UK government limited the entry of vehicles in central London and other busy areas, shifted coal-fire run industry to suburbs besides taking several other steps to avert such a situation in future. Los Angeles also took several practical steps in this regard,” he said.

Latif urged the government to revamp the outdated smog monitoring system, access hyperspectral satellite to counter stubble burning and declare city’s all busy areas as low emission zones by containing entry of vehicles in peak hours. He also sought Punjab, having maximum solar irradiance hours, to convert to full spectrum solarisation with government support, promotion of electrical vehicles, alternative pyrolysis plant for ethanol production in all rice producing areas, opting for climate diplomacy by engaging India.

Talking to Dawn, environmentalist Dr Habibul Haq Randhawa, a retired officer who worked for Lahore and Rawalpindi development authorities as the chief engineer and served the communication & works department, said the smog in Lahore was a combination of air emissions, particulate matter and moisture. It becomes harmful and hazardous to human beings, animals etc when the air is static from October to December.

“Lahore smog is a not a local issue as smog from surroundings is also added due to pressure difference in urban Lahore and surroundings. However, a small percentage is also added when the sun sets in earlier in east Punjab, Delhi and Lahore,” he said.

According to him, about 20 types of nitrogenic oxide and sulfur oxide carbon gases and particulate matters physically combined with water vapors. Therefore, the trees are not sufficient to mitigate smog because their leaves absorb only CO2 component of smog. Likewise, the zigzag technology minimizes only particulate matter while many gases from coal emissions remain with same concentration.

“We, therefore, should formulate a comprehensive mitigation plan to eradicate smog formation. These steps include minimizing commercial activities in urban Lahore, creation of extensive greenery to maintain temperature, echo-friendly building envelop etc,” he sought.

Mr Randhawa said apart from these measures, the government must ensure public transport availability to the public at large, promote electric vehicles, avert burning of trash and encourage people / families to make car-pooling instead of travelling individually.

“And last but not the least, the environment department should strictly ban stubble burning in surrounding fields of Lahore,” he said, urging Pakistan, India and Nepal to start a combine mitigation and adaptation plan under the umbrella of Saarc.

PHA: Keeping in view the worsening smog situation in Lahore, the PHA has launched a project aimed at improving the city’s air quality, known as the ‘Lungs of Lahore.

Under this initiative, trees will be planted across 800 acres of land around the river Ravi.

According to PHA DG Tahir Wattoo, in the initial phase trees will be planted across 20 acres.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024