Holistic approach: Ecologists protest against govt policies

LAHORE: A group of ecologists took to the streets on Thursday against the government’s policy on development, saying construction work has exacerbated smog in the city.

The activists from Taana Bana – a group of political ecologists dedicated to solving environmental issues – demonstrated in front of the Environmental Protection Agency’s office at Gaddafi Stadium.

A key group member, Saleha Rauf, told the media the group decided to protest specifically against the government because they believe work on the ongoing development projects in Lahore exacerbated the smog.

“The way such projects are designed shows they are meant to benefit either industrialists or the government only,” she said. “It is important to understand how lives of vulnerable communities are affected in such situations. They should also be involved in the decision-making process.” As per the law, Saleha added, the EPA was supposed to make an environmental assessment impact report, fairly representing the community’s reservations and recommendations from a holistic point of view.

She was of the view that in case of adverse effects of the development work, like smog, poor people suffered the most. “That is why government institutions, such as EPA, should be pressured to do their part.” Another protester, Sonia Qadir, said the impression they received from discussion with EPA officials was that they had no coherent system of monitoring or any system for preparing environmental impact reports.

The activists said the inefficient policies of the government were taking away people’s right to breathe.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2016.