Metro53 - LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced that waste dumps across Punjab are being transformed into green forests and solar parks as part of an ambitious environmental initiative.
In her message on International Zero Waste Day, the chief minister urged citizens to abandon the use of plastic and adopt sustainable practices to protect the environment.
She emphasized that reducing waste, promoting recycling, and encouraging sustainable consumption are key to ensuring a clean and safe environment. “Keeping the planet free from pollution is a shared responsibility,” she said.
Highlighting the government’s efforts, Maryam Nawaz noted that under the flagship Suthra Punjab programme, cities across the province are being moved towards zero-waste targets. She added that the initiative has, for the first time, received recognition at the global level.
The chief minister pointed out that waste accumulation contributes significantly to climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss. She said that practical steps are being taken to convert waste into useful resources, including energy and valuable materials through waste-to-value projects.
She further stated that a ban on plastic bags could significantly help achieve zero-waste goals, while farmers are being provided subsidised super seeders to manage agricultural waste effectively.
Maryam Nawaz also said that environmental regulations are now being strictly enforced in factories and industries, and modern electric vehicles and mechanised systems have been introduced to improve waste management across the province.
