Environmental issues: Body dissatisfied with solid waste disposal system

ISLAMABAD:

The high-powered commission set up by the Islamabad High Court Monday expressed dissatisfaction over disposal of solid waste by the Capital Development Authority in H-12.

The 15-member commission visited different sites to gauge the environmental conditions in the federal capital.

They visited F-9 Park to examine the condition of water filtration plant and asked the CDA staff to submit water quality report tested by some independent organisations. The commission also checked pollution in a stream flowing through F-9 Park, carrying sewage generated from Bahria and Fazia colonies located in the foothills of Margallas.

Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) officials led the commission to I-9 and I-10 industrial areas and informed the members about pollution caused by rerolling steel mills and other industries.

The commission also visited Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and checked hospital waste management facility. The fifteen-member commission is headed by environmental lawyer Dr Pervaiz Hassan.

The commission was constituted on April 27, 2015. It’ mandate is to review not only the CDA Ordinance 1960 but other environmental laws and acts with a view to stop further destruction and degradation of the capital’s environment.

The commission will carry out a review of the rules and regulations made or issued under the CDA Ordinance 1960 and the Pakistan Environment Protection Act, 1997.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2015.