Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency
(Pak-EPA) Ministry of Climate Change is responsible for implementation of the
provision of Pakistan Environmental Act, 1997 (the act) and rules/regulations
made there under. All development projects located in the limits of Islamabad
Capital Territory (ICT) are required to obtain environmental approval before
commencement by submitting initial Environmental Examination (IEE) /
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports to Pak-EPA.
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency
issued notices to 26 Housing Societies in Islamabad on non-compliance of
conditions laid down in environmental approvals i.e. proper disposal of solid
waste, liquid waste, chemical waste, hazardous materials, construction of
Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP), rain water harvesting, ground water recharging
etc and submission of quarterly/ monthly progress reports of the development
project. It has been observed by this agency that the proponents of the
projects/ developers are neither attending the conditions contained in their
environmental approval nor submitting compliance/ progress reports.
Consequently, it creates serious environmental problems like air pollution,
polluted water bodies, different diseases, solid, / liquid waste issues and
cutting of trees etc in capital city.
The Director General Pak-EPA took serious
notice on this state of affairs and decided to issue notices to the managements
of all housing societies and called upon for personal hearing under section 16
of the Act to ascertain the reasons for non compliance of the environmental
conditions laid down in environmental approvals of each project. So far, the
managements of 9 such housing societies have been heard by the Pak-EPA and 4
housing societies have been issued Environmental Protection Orders (EPO) for
violation of environmental conditions (i.e M/s Zaraj Housing Group, M/s
Margalla View Housing Scheme, M/s Soan Garden Housing Societies, M/s Park view
Enclave City). These 4 housing societies have been directed to immediately
install Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP), constitution of environmental
managements committees, ensure rain water harvesting as well as ground water
recharging and proper collection/ disposal of solid waste.
They have also been directed to stop
constructions with in their projects till the compliance of Environmental
Protection Orders. Pak-EPA has further decided to file complaints/ cases
against violators in the Environmental Tribunal under the Act. The
Environmental Tribunal has powers to impose fine up to Rs. one million and
rupees Hundred Thousand per day for continuous contraventions, cancellation of
environmental approval besides imprisonment. Pak-EPA had decided to take legal
action as per requirement of the law for protection of the environment in
capital city.