People drive amid heavy smog in Lahore, Pakistan, 07 November 2024. The government of Punjab province, in eastern Pakistan, ordered the closure of all schools from primary to secondary grade in its capital, Lahore, until 17 November due to the high levels of air pollution recorded in recent days, reaching up to 45 times above the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). During this period, schools will conduct online classes, and 50 percent of staff in government and private offices will work remotely. The previous week, Lahore recorded the highest levels of air pollution among different cities across the world. EPA-EFE/RAHAT DAR The provincial capital Lahore has been engulfed in a thick, smoky haze this week and was consistently rated the world's most polluted city by Swiss group IQAir in its live rankings, prompting the closure of schools and work-from-home mandates.
The Punjab government's Friday order placed a "complete ban on public entry in all parks ... zoos, play grounds, historical places, monuments, museums and joy/play lands" until Nov. 17 in areas including Lahore.
Many parts of South Asia suffer severe pollution as temperatures drop each winter and cold, heavy air traps dust, emissions, and smoke from stubble burning - the illegal practice of burning crop waste to quickly clear fields.
Punjab last week blamed toxic air wafting in from neighbouring India - where air quality has also reached hazardous levels - for the particularly high pollution this year.
IQAir rated the Indian capital New Delhi the world's second most polluted city on Friday, with government data indicating that farm fires in the neighbouring farming states of Punjab and Haryana were among the major contributors.
To discourage the practice which has been lower this year, India's federal government doubled fines imposed on violators on Wednesday.
Farmers with less than two acres of land will now have to pay 5,000 rupees ($60) for violations. Those owning between two and five acres will pay 10,000 rupees and farmers with more than five acres will pay 30,000 rupees, the environment ministry said.
(Writing by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by YP Rajesh and Ros Russell)