ISLAMABAD: The expansion of the Islamabad Express Highway is adding to air pollution, the contamination of ground and surface water and the cutting down and re-plantation of some 500 trees, according to a five-page document released by the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA).

According to the document, the air in Islamabad is contaminated with poisonous gasses including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and the oxide of nitrogen which are emitted by construction machinery and project vehicles.

It goes on to say that since the commencement of the project in July this year, particulate matter, including dust, had increased significantly.

According to Pak-EPA report, the project was started in violation of environmental rules

Pak-EPA has also expressed concerns that waste effluent and solid waste disposal, fuel spills, and oil and chemicals from the project are also contaminating the soil, which will pollute ground and surface water.

According to Pak-EPA Deputy Director Ziaul Islam, the project for the expansion of the thoroughfare was flawed from the beginning. He said the project had started in violation of section 12 of the Environmental Protection Act 1997, of which the Minister for Climate Change PML-N MNA Zahid Hamid is the author.

Section 12 makes it mandatory to submit an environment impact assessment (EIA) report with detailed information on existing environmental conditions, a description of the project, the impacts it will have on the surroundings and mitigation measures for countering the deterioration of natural settings.

“In this case, Pak-EPA had to issue several warnings, asking the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to comply with environmental laws. Since March, we have been pointing out the weaknesses [of the project] as well as proposed improvements,” Mr Islam said.

Pak-EPA officials say that the CDA is not following its own environment management plans, which was part of its EIA report and which is still being reviewed by the environment watchdog.

Pointing to clouds of dust rising from the construction site at Koral Interchange, an official said: “Dust clouds have become regular in the twin cities. If only the CDA would use sprinklers.”

The CDA will also be removing 500 old trees during the expansion of the Islamabad Highway and re-plant them in suitable locations. According to the document, 300 Paper Mulberry trees, which are thought to be harmful due to their high pollen count, will be destroyed.

“The CDA’s record for rehabilitating Islamabad is lacklustre. For example, it had grown flowering plants everywhere when we need more trees along the 7th and 9th avenues. The plantation of alien trees, such as Conocarpus and Palm trees, along the Islamabad Highway, between Zero Point and Faizabad, has also been authorised,” an Pak-EPA official said.

According to the official, local authorities had prohibited the planting of Conocarpus during the Green Karachi Campaign as it is considered harmful for the environment and health.

When asked, Ministry of Climate Change Secretary Syed Abu Akif was unaware of the environmental costs of the expansion project.

However, CDA Chairman and Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz agreed that little had been done for rehabilitating the green areas of Islamabad.

“Planting alien species is a bad idea and the CDA is now focusing on planting indigenous species which are more suitable to the climate of the twin cities. We will also give directions for minimising inconveniences to the residents of both cities during the project,” he said.

Pak-EPA has called a public meeting on October 17 in order to ensure that the environment is given priority over development. Residents will be asked for suggestion for mitigation measures.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2016