The pollution in Lahore, which was once called the city of gardens, has increased to such an extent that it has not only become a threat to human life but also become a danger to historical sites and monuments.

The situation is alarming as the authorities concerned lack both resources and expertise to make any concrete decisions on the matter. Furthermore, the Lahore City District Government (CDG) has no gadgets to measure the danger caused to historical buildings by the rising pollution.

But many non governmental organisations (NGOs), registered under the Societies Registration Act 1960, are working for the protection of the environment. A representative of one such NGO said that she had received many complaints while conducting social work on the hazards of pollution and ill-maintenance of monuments, including the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Marhi of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and Baradari of Hazoori Bagh.

Decay

The presence of steel rolling mills, foundries and furnaces in the surrounding areas and vehicular traffic are the major factors contributing towards the decay of Pakistan's landmark buildings.

The vibration caused by heavy traffic and acid rain due to emissions of factories and vehicular traffic are also limiting the lives of the country's monuments.

The Lahore CDG is entrusted with the task to keep the environment clean but it has apparently never taken any step to check the pollution, which is causing a threat to the national and international heritage.