PESHAWAR: The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced the launching of the Digitalisation of Environmental Approvals and Monitoring System (DEAMS) under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The system is expected to be formally inaugurated next week.
Developed through a joint initiative of M/s Green Environment Laboratory and Solutions and Geo Solutions, DEAMS represents a major advancement in transforming conventional, paper-based procedures for environmental approvals, regulatory compliance and field monitoring into an integrated, automated, paperless and transparent digital framework.
Under DEAMS, applicants will be able to submit applications electronically for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE) and General Environmental Approvals, upload the required documentation and pay the applicable fees through an integrated payment mechanism. The digital platform is expected to streamline communication between applicants and the relevant authorities while enabling more systematic tracking of applications, their progress and the actions taken at each stage of the approval process.
Secretary of the Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Junaid Khan has said the primary objective of this initiative was to simplify the submission and scrutiny of applications, minimise unnecessary administrative delays, ensure verifiable record-keeping and strengthen the monitoring of compliance with environmental laws.
He emphasised that the system would facilitate ease of doing business and encourage responsible economic growth while reinforcing the principle that development must progress in harmony with the protection of natural resources and the environment.
Junaid Khan further explained that the system incorporates a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping facility to assess the locations and geographical boundaries of proposed development projects. By integrating mapped information on protected natural areas, water bodies and environmentally sensitive locations, the platform will enable relevant officials to undertake more comprehensive assessments of the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects.
This capability will be particularly valuable in areas where the protection of natural forests, water resources, biodiversity and human settlements requires special consideration during development planning.
Another key component of the system is a dedicated mobile application for field inspections, compatible with Android and iOS devices. The application will allow authorised officials to record inspection findings even in areas without internet connectivity, capture photographs tagged with geographical coordinates and complete digital inspection checklists.
Once connectivity is restored, the collected information can automatically synchronise with the central database. This functionality is expected to improve the verification of ground realities, enhance the accuracy of inspection records and strengthen the overall effectiveness of environmental monitoring.
Environmental approval certificates issued through the system will incorporate electronic signatures and unique verification codes, enabling their authenticity to be checked promptly.
This feature is expected to help prevent document forgery and ensure the reliable verification of official environmental approvals.
Furthermore, the system’s administrative dashboards and analytical tools will provide insights into pending applications, processing timelines, departmental performance and available data relating to compliance with environmental regulations. These capabilities will support evidence-based decision-making, improve administrative efficiency and enable a more effective assessment of institutional performance.
The system is designated for secure hosting at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Centre. Its integrated features are intended to provide applicants and regulatory authorities with a unified digital platform for environmental approvals and monitoring. Ensuring information security, timely processing, staff training and consistent utilisation of the system will be essential to its effective implementation and long-term success.
In a statement on the initiative, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi observed that the introduction of DEAMS represented a practical step towards digital transformation and transparent public administration in the province. He noted that reducing unnecessary bureaucratic complexities and promoting accountability in environmental governance would reinforce the commitment to pursuing economic development alongside environmental protection.
Secretary Environment Junaid Khan described the initiative as an important milestone in harnessing modern technology for environmental protection and climate action. He said that a transparent, data-driven system would help strengthen regulatory compliance, improve monitoring mechanisms and enhance institutional performance.
According to Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Tariq Khan, the transition from conventional manual monitoring to an automated digital framework would further strengthen the Agency’s legal and administrative capacity. He said that integrated features such as geospatial mapping, mobile-based inspections and electronic verification would make the enforcement of environmental standards more systematic, verifiable and effective.
Muhammad Musaddiq, an authorised representative of the project’s joint partner organisations, M/s Green Environment Laboratory and Solutions and Geo Solutions, said that the system had been developed by integrating modern software engineering, Geographic Information System technology and mobile solutions. The objective, he explained, was to provide the province with a secure, scalable and user-friendly digital platform for environmental approvals and regulatory monitoring.
The Environmental Protection Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, performs critical statutory and administrative functions relating to the enforcement of environmental laws, pollution prevention, environmental approvals and the protection of natural resources. The introduction of DEAMS marks a notable advancement in leveraging modern technology to strengthen these responsibilities and make public services more accessible and efficient for citizens and businesses alike.
The initiative reflects a fundamental principle of effective environmental governance: meaningful protection cannot be achieved through legislation alone; it also requires transparent implementation, timely monitoring and accountable institutions.
Through DEAMS, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is seeking to establish a modern foundation for environmental governance, balancing development imperatives with ecological sustainability and helping pave the way for a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future for generations to come.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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