Provincial Minister for Environmental Protection Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that although plastic bags are of great use in our daily life but it is a fact that these bags are harmful to human health and the environment.
Increasing use of plastic bags in edible items is becoming cause of cancer and other diseases, she said, and added that Punjab government is taking serious steps for checking manufacturing of polythene bags in order to provide safe environment to coming generations and making the environment pollution free.
She expressed these views while addressing a seminar titled ‘Polythene-Free Punjab’ held at Punjab University in collaboration with Environmental Protection Department, Directorate General Public Relations and NGO Climate Reality, working for healthy and safe environment at international level.
The minister said that the aim of the seminar is to create awareness among young generation about the importance of saving the environment and students of universities can play their active role in this regard. She said that strict action is being taken against the manufacturers of polythene bags in all field offices on daily basis in 36 districts of the province.
Court proceedings are going on against those violating the ordinance, she added. She said that girl and boy students can play an important role for creating awareness among their friends about harms of polythene bags and precautionary measures pertaining to their disposal through social media.
The minister said that in order to cope with this problem, we have to promote the trend of use of cloth bags instead of plastic bags so that we can save our children against probable diseases. She thanked International Climate Reality on holding the seminar.
Environmental Sciences Department Head Dr Muhammad Sajid while speaking on the occasion said that his institution is playing its active role for highlighting the importance of healthy environment and reduction in pollution through research and education.
The seminar was attended by students, faculty members of Punjab University and civil society in large numbers.