KARACHI: DHA project sets alarm bells ringing
KARACHI, April 24: Developers working within the DHA Waterfront Development Project have been warned against initiating any construction or marketing activity without obtaining environmental clearance from the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency.
The secretary to the Sindh environment and alternative energy department, Mir Hussain Ali, told Dawn that the no-objection certificate (NoC) issued to the DHA in the context of its waterfront project did not entitle an individual or group of entrepreneurs to launch mega projects without having submitted Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and without having sought the government’s approval as required under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 and the IEE/EIA regulations, 2000.
On February 18 this year, Sepa issued an NoC to the DHA for a waterfront development planned over coastal land stretching from Sindbad to the Golf Course.
However, environmental experts feel that Sepa should have asked the DHA to submit an EIA report with regard to reclamation of the sea. It should have also invited comments from the public and held a public hearing on the subject. However, the NoC was issued by Sepa on mere submission of an IEE report.
Some Gulf-based contractors reportedly intend to set new standards for residential, commercial and retail property by creating three west-facing bays in one of the DHA’s seven waterfront zones. The project also envisions the development of an amusement park, a food court complex, a boardwalk, an expo centre, private beaches, hotels and desalination and power-generation plants.
Illegal investment invitation
Referring to the development of the commercial district on reclaimed land in the DHA, Mr Ali said that all quarters are expected to refrain from violating environmental laws and protocol.
“I too have received complaints that certain quarters [have already] started inviting public attention and investment in a couple of development initiatives in the DHA waterfront project, which is contrary to the rules,” he said. “The environment department and Sepa will move against these quarters and ask them to comply with the rules.”
Mr Ali also explained that the conditions of the NoC issued to the DHA stated clearly that approval was being granted for only the subject project, and any future project resulting from the approval would require environmental clearance (an IEE or EIA) depending upon the expected impact of the project and the legal requirements. In case the project was already shaping up, he added, the proponents would be required to let the department or its subordinate agency know about the development methodologies and the measures intended to be taken in context of ecological, environmental and social considerations.
“The developers in question should refrain from advertising the project in the media and inviting public investment,” remarked Mr Ali.
‘Perturbing information’
However, the recently posted Sepa director-general, Ali Ahmed Lund, told Dawn that his office had not so far received any request from the developers of the bay district.
“While the general public and conservationists are reportedly concerned over DHA’s reclamation of wetlands, the information about high- and mid-rise towers for residential and commercial purposes is really perturbing,” he commented. “Sepa will certainly not stand by.”
According to a Sepa source, the NoC binds the DHA, which is the proponent of the waterfront project, to undertake to comply with all national regulatory requirements regarding effluents and air emissions at all stages of the project. The proponent is required to prepare an emergency response plan for the security of all residents, employees and visitors to the project, and address any concerns raised by neighbouring communities during construction and operation.
The source said that the NoC requires the DHA to coordinate with the city district government and other relevant authorities over traffic management and nuisance issues, and to develop a comprehensive solid waste management plan that would be submitted to Sepa for its records and follow-ups. Furthermore, the DHA is required to submit a separate IEE/EIA for any enhanced change in the approved waterfront project.