The Department of Industry (DoI) has issued a strong warning to manufacturing companies, directing them to strictly comply with environmental regulations or face legal consequences, as the government intensifies efforts to control pollution caused by industrial activities.
In a public notice, the DoI said it has received numerous complaints regarding industries discharging untreated wastewater directly into rivers and failing to take adequate measures to minimize air and noise pollution.
Stating that environmental violations would not be tolerated, the department emphasized that industries must operate in full compliance with prevailing environmental laws.
The DoI instructed industries to install and properly operate pollution-control systems, including Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), and to implement mitigation measures outlined in their approved Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports. It also stressed that regular monitoring and evaluation of these measures, as required under Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), are mandatory.
Furthermore, industries have been directed to comply with government standards concerning noise levels, air emissions, and wastewater discharge. Provincial authorities have also been asked to regulate industries under their jurisdiction in accordance with both federal and provincial laws.
The department has given industries a 30-day deadline to submit details of the pollution-control measures currently in place. It warned that any violations of industrial and environmental standards discovered after the deadline would result in strict action under existing laws.
