EPT fines 22 illegal marble factories

These units were operating in residential area of Sector B-17

ISLAMABAD: Environmental Protection Tribunal (EPT) has imposed Rs11 million fine on 22 illegally established marble factories in the federal capital's Sector B-17 near Sangjani.

"A citizen lodged a complaint to the EPT maintaining that approximately 22 marble factories have been operating in the residential area falling under the Zone-II of Islamabad Capital Territory,” Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PAK-EPA) Director General Farzana Altaf Shah said on Thursday.

The complainant said he had sent legal notice the owners of marble factories, but received no positive reply.

"The complainant maintained that marble factories deal with cutting, polishing, curving, and grooving of marble stones resulting unbearable noise and dust,” the director said.

Dust emitting from marble cutting and grinding is injurious to health, causing serious diseases like asthma, chest problem and other diseases of lungs and eyes, while the noise is a source of mental stress for the residents of the society,” she added.

"The complainants have also quoted the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 in their complaint and stressed upon the conservation, protection, rehabilitation and improvement of the Environment for the protection and control of pollution and promotion of sustainable development as well as noise and air pollution disturbing the ecology," PAK-EPA DG said.

Shah informed that as per report of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) the marble factories' owners were frequently issued notices to make safety measures regarding air and noise pollution, industrial waste and hazardous substances but no necessary actions were made on their part.

The marble units' proprietors challenged the complainants with the objection in the Tribunal that the said factories had been set up in 1996-1997 with the approval of the local government. The industrial area was situated outside the Zone-II whereas the housing project or cooperative society was approved the establishment of marble factories, she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2019.