EPA NOC mandatory for construction along Express Highway

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Saturday directed to make Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NOC mandatory for the construction along the Express Highway from Islamabad to Murree to check mushroom growth of 'illegal' housing societies. The Authority also decided to take stern action against illegal housing schemes and constructions in the catchment areas of the Simly Dam to save the major water source of federal capital from extinction.
CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari while chairing a high-level meeting directed the departments concerned to take immediate action against the illegal construction activities around Simly Dam and Korang Nullah.
The meeting was also attended by CDA Member (planning) Brigadier Nusratullah, DG environment Malik Mazhar Hussain and other senior officials of Islamabad and Rawalpindi district administrations, Tehsil Murree, forest department, small dams organisation, environment protection agency, WWF, new Murree Development Authority and National Highway Authority (NHA).
Lashari also asked the district administrations to ban all illegal transfers of land in the area. Moreover, the forest department has been directed to plant more trees in the area to control land slides.
He requested the officials of New Murree Development Authority to take immediate steps in the areas for the improvement in natural habitat.
The CDA has also decided to construct two dams with the help of the NHA at Soan Nullah to check land slides.
The meeting also decided to construct various small check dams on small streams leading to the Simly Dam costing Rs 18 million.
The unchecked growth of housing schemes and farm houses along Murree Road and adjoining areas of Islamabad is badly affecting the water resources of the capital.
It was observed that several housing schemes had been initiated in the area, but none of them have obtained the required no objection certificates (NOCs) yet from the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency.
The establishment of unchecked dwellings around the area, dumping of filth and mixing of sewerage and highly toxic materials in Simly and Rawal dams have resulted in severe contamination of reservoir endangering the aquatic life.
A study of EPA revealed that the biological oxygen demand of the Rawal Lake had jumped to an alarming level of 680 milligram per litre (mg/1) against the National Environmental Quality Standard's (NEQs) approved level of 80 mg/1 which is quite alarming.