HARIPUR: A joint committee comprising officials of environment protection agency, idustry, labour and livestock departments would visit different industrial units that were a constant source of air and noise pollution in Hattar industrial area and compile and share a factfinding report to the deputy commissioner Haripur for further action.

This was disclosed by Malik Qamar Hayat, Triq Mehmood and other officials of Tahfuz-i-Maholiyat Forum (TMF) (environment protection forum) Hattar while briefing the newsmen here on Sunday.

They said that due to unchecked air and noise pollution of cement, chemical, tuff tiles and poultry waste incineration plants the com-plaints of health issues by the residents of Hattar and surrounding areas were on the rise, forcing the inhabitants to take up the matter with the deputy commissioner Haripur.

They said that on the complaint of the TMF a meeting was held at the office of Deputy Commissioner Waseem Ahmed the other day wherein provincial minister for Local Government Yousuf Ayub Khan, officials of EPA, DHO Haripur, Labour Department, AC Khanpur, ADC Human Rights and Relief, DSP Khanpur and other senior officials of other relevant departments participated.

During the meeting the TMF`s representatives briefed the participants about the growing complaints of pollution, harms to human health and pointed out those responsible.They demanded practical steps for the control of industrial pollution to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the residents of Hattar and the adjoining villages.

They said that after listening to the complainants the DC agreed to the suggestion of constitution of a committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner Human Rights Qamar Zia Malik and comprising officials of EPA, labour, industry and livestock departments to visit the industrial units pointed out during the meeting as the sources of air and noise pollution and foul smell in the area and compile and fact-finding report for submission to the DC office. The committee will also organise medical camps.

The DC office would review the progress of the committee on monthly basis.