SEPA marks World Earth Day with vehicular emission control and plantation drives

To mark the World Earth Day, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on Wednesday organized various environmental awareness campaigns, tree plantation activities, seminars, webinars and a province wide vehicular emission control programme

KARACHI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Apr, 2026) To mark the World Earth Day, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on Wednesday organized various environmental awareness campaigns, tree plantation activities, seminars, webinars and a province wide vehicular emission control programme.

As part of the World Earth Day activities, the vehicular emission control programme was also carried out at different locations in Karachi, including Boat Basin, Metropole and other major roads, where smoke-emitting and unfit vehicles were inspected in collaboration with traffic police, while challans were issued to polluting vehicles, said a statement issued here.

Adviser to the Chief Minister Sindh for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development, Dost Muhammad Rahimoon, formally inaugurated the tree plantation drive at SEPA Headquarters. Special Secretary Ayan Bhutto and Director General SEPA Waqar Hussain Phulpoto also participated in the campaign by planting saplings.

Addressing the participants, Rahimoon reiterated the Sindh government’s commitment to making the province clean, green, pollution-free and environment-friendly by utilising all available resources and said the Sindh government was taking practical measures for environmental protection and to address the effects of climate change.

Large-scale plantation drives were carried out at various locations in Karachi including Frere Hall, Community Park and other public places in collaboration with KATI, government offices and educational institutions as well as in other cities of the province.

SEPA officials urged citizens to plant more trees and keep their surroundings clean.

To mark the World Earth Day, SEPA also organized seminars and webinars at various public and private universities, colleges and educational institutions across Sindh. Environmental experts, teachers, students and representatives of civil society participated in the events. Speakers highlighted climate change, the harmful effects of pollution, water conservation, reduction in plastic use and the importance of a greener future.

Director General SEPA said that World Earth Day reminded everyone that the protection of land, water, air and natural resources was a shared responsibility. He said the Sindh government was pursuing environment-friendly policies, while SEPA was playing an active role in public awareness, plantation drives, monitoring and enforcement of environmental laws.

A clean environment was the basic right of every citizen and action against polluters would continue without discrimination, he said and urged the youth to adopt environment-friendly habits for ensuring a safe future for the coming generations.

Phulpoto said the vehicular emission control programme was aimed at curbing air pollution and public cooperation in this regard was essential.

He urged citizens to ensure timely tuning and maintenance of their vehicles, avoid unnecessary use of plastic, conserve water and maintain cleanliness in their homes and neighbourhoods.