61 outlawed groups: Punjab imposes hide collection ban

The Punjab government has imposed ban on collection of hides and skins of the sacrificial animals during the Eidul Azha by proscribed groups and issued a list of 61 such groups to district administrations for effective implementation of the ban. According to the government order no outlawed groups will be allowed to use loud-speaker and set up collection points across the province during the Eid-ul-Azha.
The provincial government has warned of strict punitive action against the people who will violate the ban and will collect skins for the proscribed groups. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed police authorities to ensure strict implementation of the ban on the collection of hides by banned organisations as no violation will be tolerated in this regard. Administration and police authorities of all districts should take effective measures for this purpose. Meanwhile, Provincial Secretary Environment Iqbal Muhammad Chohan has asked all District Co-ordination Officers to direct their respective town and tehsil administrations to take all necessary steps for removing offals of animals and make cleanliness arrangements on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
In a circular issued to all DCOs and Districts Environment Officers, the Secretary Environment said that non removal of animals' offals properly can cause various diseases and create other environmental problems which are very harmful for human health.
He directed District Environment Officers to remain in field and personally supervise the removal of animals' offals and other cleanliness arrangements. He said a vigilant eye should be kept on those people using tyres for burning "Sri Paya' as these create environmental pollution. The government has cancelled leaves of the staff performing dengue duties in big cities and directed them to perform their duties as per routine. It may be added that the Lahore Waste Management Company has arranged distribution of 0.8 million bags free of cost and set up 120 collection and transfer stations for disposal of offals of the sacrificial animals at the dumping points in the metropolis city.