In the last month, the Environment Protection Department (EPD) issued notices to 1,119 and lodged FIRs against 27 tyre shops and warehouses, scrap yards and construction sites for not following dengue-prevention guidelines.
A total of 4,951 places were inspected across the Punjab. Of these, 1,013 – 554 tyre shops, 218 scrap yards, 138 nurseries and 103 under construction sites – were in Lahore. As many as 36 notices have been issued while nine FIRs have been lodged against warehouses for placing tyres, plastic scrap, and plant pots in the open.
Five anti-dengue squads of the EPD carry out inspections in Lahore while each of the other districts of the Punjab has one team.
According to a press release issued by the Environment Protection Department on Tuesday, more and more tyre shops are getting themselves registered. They are also adopting the guidelines set by the government as part of its anti-dengue initiative, the press release noted.
EPD Secretary Sher Alam Mahsud urged citizens to help eradicate the dengue virus.
Last year, almost 60 per cent of dengue larvae were found in residential areas, said Mahsud, adding that the public’s cooperation was needed to identify and destroy dengue breeding sites. “It is not possible for the government to go door to door and find dengue the larvae in houses,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2013.