Balochistan has launched a new climate change policy with an initial allocation of Rs500 million to establish the Balochistan Climate Change Fund, officials told the Provincial Assembly’s Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment, Forests and Wildlife on Thursday.
During a detailed briefing, the Department of Climate Change and Environment outlined several key initiatives aimed at reducing pollution and improving environmental protection across the province.
According to officials, 45 brick kilns are being shifted to zigzag technology, while 28 chromite grinding mills will be relocated away from residential areas to reduce health risks for local communities.
To curb industrial pollution, the province has so far installed 29 effluent treatment plants and 18 scrubbers in different industrial units. The Balochistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also reported that it seizes 11,000 to 12,000 kilograms of illegal plastic bags every month, and is currently pursuing 146 environmental cases.
The meeting was chaired by Prince Ahmed Umer Ahmedzai.
In a separate session, the Forests and Wildlife Department informed the committee that under the Forest Act 2022, eight new rules have been drafted, and three new protected areas have been declared: Churna Island, Miami Hor, and Takatu National Park.
The department added that 53 forest nurseries have been established across the province, producing 3.8 million saplings, out of which 1.8 million saplings were distributed free of cost to support community-level plantation efforts.
Officials also briefed the committee on the completion of plantation and greening projects covering over 41,000 acres. Additionally, a dedicated management plan and a Wildlife Endowment Fund have been set up for Astola Island, Pakistan’s first marine protected area.
