The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made it compulsory for certain development projects to include rainwater harvesting systems as part of their designs in order to receive environmental clearance.
According to an executive order issued by EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh, 23 specific types of projects must now install these systems to get the green light for approval.
This decision is aimed at making better use of rainwater and easing the pressure on Punjab’s already strained surface and groundwater resources.
The province has seen 42% less rainfall than usual between September 1, 2024, and January 15, 2025, leading to mild to moderate drought in many areas.
The EPA has already rolled out several water-saving measures. These include shutting down unauthorized car wash stations, requiring approved stations to recycle wastewater, and banning oil-based vehicle washes.
Households are no longer allowed to wash cars using hose pipes, and flood-style watering of lawns, gardens, golf courses, and greenbelts has been prohibited.
Similar restrictions apply to using groundwater for construction, setting up new car wash facilities, and using hose pipes at government offices or residences.
The 23 project types that must now include rainwater harvesting systems cover a wide range of sectors.
These include poultry farms, hatcheries, livestock and fish farms, refineries, textile and garment units, food and beverage processing plants, flour and rice mills, oil and ghee factories, petrol and CNG stations, cement factories, sugar mills, chemical manufacturers (including pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries), paper and dye factories, fertilizer and pesticide plants, tanneries, ceramic and glass industries, and automobile units.