Islamabad: No environment rehab plans: Pak-EPA objects to Garden Avenue dualisation

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: The Pak-EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has objected to the proposed dualisation of Garden Avenue due to the absence of environment rehabilitation plans.

An official of the Pak-EPA told Daily Times on Thursday that massive tree cutting to expand the six-kilometer artery from I-8 intersection to Murree Road would significantly reduce water level in the twin city dams, destroy local flora and fauna and adversely impact on environment.

He said Capital Development Authority (CDA) had already axed thousands of trees for parade/exhibition ground near the Garden Avenue. He said tenders for the proposed dualisation of the road, passing nearby Lotus Lake Park, Lok Virsa museum and Shakarparian, had already been floated.

The official said the CDA had launched many development projects without considering their adverse impacts on environment.

He said the recently constructed Agha Shahi Avenue had serious road engineering flaws. He said the chopping of lots of trees posed serious threats to environment.

He said ongoing projects on the premises of Fatima Jinnah Park were also unfriendly to environment due massive tree cutting.

He said the tree chopping and massive dust caused by ongoing development projects had increased presence of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air, which was more than the minimum limit set by World Health Organisation. He said heavy presence of the SPM in the air had led to high incidence of lung diseases in the capital city.

The official said the CDA had not obtained environment impact assessment (EIA) reports from the Pak-EPA for expansion, up-gradation/electrification of Pir Sohawa Road, beautification and expansion at Damn-e-Koh, construction of Damn-e-Koh restaurant, Saidpur Village development, establishment of recreational facilities at Rawal Dam and construction of National Monument.

He said the Pak-EPA hadn’t issued the EIA reports for underpasses, car parking areas, F-9 Park recreational facilities, construction of high-rises, revision of Islamabad Master Plan and launch of many private housing schemes.

Pak-EPA Director General Asif Shuja Khan confirmed the CDA had begun work on many projects without obtaining the EIA reports despite the Environment Ministry’s instructions.

He said the agency had serious reservations about dualisation of Garden Avenue and would soon take appropriate action in this respect.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...008_pg11_4