Brick kilns, industrial units, prohibited plastic: Punjab Environment Protection Agency report shows decline in site inspections

The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) conducted 12,295 inspections during July and August 2026 across three sectors: brick kilns, industrial units, and prohibited plastic, compared to 14,048 inspections in the same period the previous year. The agency imposed a total fine of Rs35.35 million on violations in these sectors.

While overall inspections declined, the focus shifted towards major sources of air pollution, particularly construction-related dust and brick kilns, ahead of the winter smog season. Significant increases were noted in action against fugitive dust, with visits to under-construction sites rising from 44 to 228 and notices increasing from 26 to 135.

The number of sealed sites grew from six to 45, and mist sprinklers were installed at 30 sites, compared to the previous 11. Enforcement against brick kilns saw an increase in inspections and demolitions, while enforcement against water pollution declined. The industrial sector saw a mixed trend, with inspections falling but demolitions increasing.

Enforcement against prohibited plastic experienced a sharper decline, with visits reducing from 6,492 to 4,407 and confiscation of prohibited plastic decreasing from 48,798 kg to 37,433 kg. Fines in the plastic sector dropped significantly, from Rs77.125 million to Rs20.632 million. Overall fines imposed in the three sectors fell by 65%, despite increased physical enforcement on key pollution sources.

For instance, demolitions in the industrial sector increased by over 50%, and brick kiln demolitions rose by nearly 39%. EPA Secretary Silwat Saeed stressed the need for enforcement that leads to measurable environmental improvement, rather than focusing solely on the number of notices, FIRs, or fines. EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh emphasized the importance of closely examining sectors where enforcement activity has declined.