LA HOR E: To promote environment-friendly activities in the province, the Punjab government has announced incentives for the citizens carrying out green interventions in air, land, water, waste management, biodiversity, ecology and environmental awareness sectors.

The scheme launched from Lahore in the first phase awards green credit hours for a certain level of activities and for each credit hour, the government will pay Rs10,000 as an incentive.Thus, e-bikers and those making green interventions in other sectors may earn five carbon credits along with financial support of Rs50,000 each by registering with the Green Port al, announce d Environment Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb while formally launching the CM Punjab Green Credit Programme here on Tuesday. She symbolically launched the programme by depositing a plastic bottle in a recycling machine.

The programme includes 31 sectors eligible for `green credits`, such as the purchase and use of energy-efficient fans, lights, e-bikes, e-rickshaws, rooftop gardening, tree plantation, cycling, and e-charging solutions.

The minister said that to encourage the adoption of environment-friendly transport, the government plans to distribute 150,000e-bikesinthenextphase, which would reduce pollutionand help the citizens save money spent on daily commuting costs.

In addition, 500 electric buses would be added to Punjab`s transport system starting from August 2025.

She shed the light on the challenges posed by climate change, government policies and the initiatives being taken for environmental sustainability. She stated that in the past, climate change was considered an unusual or irrelevant issue, but it has now become a reality, directly affecting human life, agriculture, health, and the economy.

She said that for the past oneand-a-half years, the government has been enforcing a comprehensive Anti-Smog Plan across various sectors. Additionally, the first multi-sectoral Environmental Force has been established and it is operational 24/7. A dedicated budget of Rs10bn has been allocated to combat smog while 42advanced air quality index (AQI) monitors have been installed across Punjab to continuously track air quality. `Drone surveillance is also being used to detect environmental violations.

In the agricultural sector, the minister added, the government was promoting e-mechanization by providing super seeders to farmers at a 60pc subsidy to discourage the burning of crop residue. `So far, 90 industrial units have also been tal(en onboard and they are receiving continuous guidance.

Ms Aurangzeb also visited an exhibition of environmental paintings by children,interacted with them, and appreciated their creative efforts.

The event concluded with Marriyum Aurangzeb distributing cash prizes among the `green guardians` for their exemplary environmental services and dedication.