The cutting-edge “Hawk Eye Project” is formally commenced by Punjab government for aerial environmental monitoring across the province.
Pakistan has taken a big step toward environmental protection by launching its first drone-based environmental surveillance system in Punjab. The initiative, led by the environment department, is designed to intently monitor industrial activities and pick out sources of air and environmental pollutants across the province.
The new device utilizes cutting-edge drones equipped with thermal imaging technology, allowing for detection of pollution sources. Those drones have been deployed across numerous industrial zones, which include Lahore, where they have already uncovered illegal spots harming the environment.
The device isn’t just for show — within days of going live, it uncovered three illegal pyrolysis plants in Lahore’s Mehmood Booti region and flagged four different factories for emitting harmful pollution. The government has since seized loads of carbon-filled sacks and launched inquiries into the environmental officers who didn’t act.
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An official record has been compiled by the aerial surveillance company, and motives have been sought from officers involved in environmental violations.
Environment director preferred. Imran Hamid Sheikh emphasized that this initiative marks a new generation in environmental monitoring.
“All industries and brick kilns will be e-mapped through drone surveillance, and the performance of environmental officers can also be evaluated using drone footage,” he stated.
The department believes this technology will assist in catching polluters red-handed, closing tracking gaps, and improving accountability across the board.
Meanwhile, terming it a “defining moment” in the provincial government’s efforts to combat climate change challenges, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the launch of Pakistan’s first-ever smart environmental protection force was a bold leap toward a cleaner, greener and climate-resilient future.
“Equipped with drone surveillance, real-time AQI monitors, mobile labs, and specialiSed squads across key sectorsindustry, water, plastic, agriculture, transport, and fuelthis pioneering Force is committed to rapid response, accurate enforcement, and sustained air quality improvement,” she said in a post on ‘X’.