Marine life is under threat in various streams and Nullahs of the City including Bhara Kahu and Kori. Mostly youngsters have been observed using chemicals to catch fish, especially on weekends.
Residents of Bara Kahu told The Express Tribune that after being banned from Rawal Dam, the practice increased in Nullahs carrying water from the mountains of Murree.
They claimed that a few years ago, the water from these streams was usable, but after the increased use of dynamite and chemicals, the water had become contaminated.
Rizwan Ahmed, a resident of Hatiyal in Bara Kahu, said that his entire family had been affected by the water contamination because they used to drink it.
Muddsar khan, another resident of New Mahal area, said that youngsters hunt tortoises on weekends to make some extra money.
When contacted, Director General Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-Epa) Asif Shuja said that he had held a meeting with the Islamabad administration in this connection.
“I have informed the assistant commissioner during a detailed meeting and told him to take stern action,” he told
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ali Ahmed said that section-144 has imposed in the concerned areas to minimise instances of such fishing. He claimed that police were also raiding these places but no one had been arrested as yet.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2010.
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