Rising pollution: Senators for compliance of environmental laws

Incentives for the licensed industrial units to relocate to outskirts.

ISLAMABAD:

A parliamentary panel Friday formed a sub-committee to address the issues of environmental degradation, to keep a check and to sort out ways to stop increasing violations of the environmental laws in the federal capital.

Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights Chairperson Senator Afrasiab Khattak formed a three-member committee on receiving complaints about presence of factories in the residential areas and other issues badly affecting the environment of the city.

The committee met here on Friday with Senator Khattak in the chair.

Headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain, Senator Farhatullah Babar and Senator Hidayatullah will be the members of the committee.

The committee will work closely with the CDA, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) and EPA to relocate existing factories and brick kilns from the residential areas of Islamabad.



The owners of factories will be asked to observe the relevant environmental laws and they will be suggested to install approved gadgets for maximum prevention of environmental degradation.

The members criticized the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies responsible for not taking action against violations.

Climate Change Division head Javedul Islam briefed the committee that in the late 80s, the civic body had issued 19 licenses for establishing the industrial units in the Industrial Area. Out of 19, some 10 licenses were not renewed while nine licenses are still valid.

Similarly, out of 98 brick kilns, 27 have been closed down in Lohi Bher area of Islamabad. He said that Indian technology will be introduced to save the environment from pollution. Senator Hidayatullah suggested that CDA should grant relaxations to those factory owners who wanted to relocate industrial units.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2014.