Punjab has taken a big step to clean its waterways. The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched Pakistan’s first skimming boat to remove floating plastic waste from canals and rivers. This new technology marks an important effort in the fight against plastic pollution.
The boat will start as a pilot project in the famous Lahore Canal. It has a special front-mounted collection system that gathers plastic bags, bottles, and other waste floating on the water. Officials will use this project to test the boat’s performance before using similar boats in other canals and rivers across Punjab.
The launch happened during a seminar in Lahore to mark Plastic Bag Free Day. Parliamentary Secretary for Environment Kanwal Liaqat and EPA Director General Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh spoke about the government’s strong commitment to remove single-use plastics and protect the environment.
Punjab’s anti-plastic campaign is already showing results. More than 50,000 businesses have promised to stop using banned plastic bags. Enforcement teams have seized over 600,000 kilograms of illegal plastic and collected more than Rs. 20 million in fines.
The province is following the Punjab Plastic Management Strategy 2023. It plans to use better technology, stricter rules, and public support to make Punjab cleaner. Officials are urging citizens and businesses to join this important effort for a plastic-free and greener future.