LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz says Punjab`s first climate policy, Climate Resilient Punjab Vision and Action Plan, has been implemented and a special environmental endowment fund worth Rs15 billion has been established for environment-friendly startups and businesses while Pakistan`s first Environmental Protection Force (EPF) for environmental protection has been set up.

In her special message on the World Environment Day on Thursday, she said a plastic management cell had been established for environmental protec-tion, which was ensuring a complete ban on single-use plastic. She added that for the first time in Punjab, online registration of plastic manufacturers and sellers had been started.

`For the first time, emission testing certification of vehicles, according to international standards, has been launched to combat smog. Millions of vehicles have been registered under Emission Testing Certification in Punjab.

The chief minister said 50 air quality monitoring stations had been installed across the province to monitor the environment while a GIS squad had been established to ensure environmental protection with the help of artificial intelligence.

`Four fuel testing labs have been setup to check the quality of petrolto prevent smog. Sprinkler systems are being installed on buildings under construction to prevent dust. For the first time, 15 water quality monitoring stations are being established to check the quality of water on rivers and rainwater drains. Environmental benefits are being achieved through tree plantation, recycling and e-bikes through the Chief Minister Green Credit Programme.

Ms Nawaz said the first Strategic Cell had been established at the Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change to create environmental awareness among the public while the first dedicated helpline `1317` hadbeen established for public feedback regarding environment. To prevent smog, she added, emission control systems were being installed at more than 2,000 industrial units and e-mapping of all units was being carried out.

The CM led a symbolic march with the Environment Protection Force (EPF) to express her commitment to improve the environment.

She herself led the march in her car while EPA force vehicles and motorcycles were a part of the march.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also accompanied her on this march.

EPA Force held posters with the words `Zero Pollution` and `Zero Plastic`.