Pakistan has launched its first environmental drone surveillance system in Punjab. The initiative, spearheaded by the Environment Department, aims to monitor and crack down on industries causing air and environmental pollution.
The department has established a dedicated aerial surveillance company equipped with state-of-the-art drones featuring thermal technology. These drones have already been deployed in the field and are actively tracking industrial pollution.
According to officials, drone surveillance recently detected three illegal pyrolysis plants operating in Lahore’s Mehmood Booti area. Additionally, four other industries were found polluting the environment, and hundreds of carbon-filled sacks were seized during the operation.
An official report has been compiled by the aerial surveillance company, and explanations have been sought from concerned officers over the environmental violations.
Environment Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh emphasised that this initiative marks a new era in environmental monitoring.
“All industries and brick kilns will be e-mapped through drone surveillance, and the performance of environmental officers will also be evaluated using drone footage,” he stated.
The department believes this technology will help catch polluters red-handed, close monitoring gaps, and improve accountability across the board.
