Organic, inorganic, industrial, municipal, and animal waste are all present in the waste water from diverse sources, along with fertilizers and insecticides, all of which seriously impair the quality of the groundwater. Because harmful pollutants are regularly introduced into the groundwater, it must be treated before being used, particularly for drinking and residential purposes. Due to the presence of several dangerous poisonous components, the drinking water in Lahore City is contaminated to a degree of around 47% is polluted.
Lead, particle matter (TSP and PM10), ozone (O3), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and Sulphur dioxide are some of the significant air pollutants that are assessed in the air composition (Pb). Such industrial locations like Multan Road, Kot Lakhpat Industrial Area, and G. T. Road had higher pollution concentration values. It is determined that the groundwater close to the dump sites was non-potable and dangerous for drinking or other domestic usage. Landfills are a significant cause of damage to the land, the air, and the water. At least three-fourths of the 3,800 tons of rubbish that are produced daily in Lahore are dumped there without being properly treated. Along the Ravi River, open-air dumps known as landfills continuously contaminated the soil, groundwater, and river water.
Numerous and intricate reasons are having an impact on the city of Lahore’s environmental resources, but different activities are the main cause of hazardous gases, organic, inorganic, chemical, and bacterial contamination in the air, soil, and water. Unfortunately, there is a lack of efficient planning, coordination, and resources within government entities to provide scientific protection. Numerous contaminants are causing an alarming number of locals to have health problems. Water shortages, excessive pollution levels, haphazard solid waste management, air pollution, untreated industry, and municipal effluent discharge are just a few of the environmental problems Lahore is now dealing with. Enforce current environmental protection laws and propose new guidelines if required. To ensure adherence to environmental norms and regulations, suitable sanctions must be applied to offenders, and incentive program must be created.
The most crucial action that can be taken right now is inform and educate members of the public and relevant government authorities about the dangers associated to the growing pollution of the air, soil, and water. Municipal and provincial departments concerned should establish a desk to share information and work together to support environmental and groundwater for the future.
Tayyab Sohail Aslam
Tayyab Sohail is President of Pakistan Science Society (PSS) a non-Profit educational organization. He is MS leading PhD Scholar at Chinese Academy of sciences, China. He is science enthusiast and love to write about science.