March 29, 2003	Saturday	Muharram 25, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, March 28: Direct disposal of human waste and garbage into water channels by the dwellers of Kutcha Abadis in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) is aggravating water pollution.

Sources at Environmental Protection Cell (EPC) established under the environment directorate of the Capital Development Authority in 1990 told this reporter that water pollution was constantly on the rise in the capital.

Though there are around 41 small and big Kutcha Abadis in the ICT, the CDA has recognised only 11 of them. These are Hansa & Charles, G-8/1, Sou (100) Quarter Colony, F-6/2, France Colony, F-7/4, Muslim Colony, Noorpur Shahan village, Tent Colony, G-7/1, Sixty-six quarter, G-7/2, Forty-eight quarters, G-7/3, Essa Nagri colony, I-9/1, Dhoke Najju, I-10/4, Haq Bahu, I-11/2 and Afghan Basti, I-11.

These settlements lack proper sewerage system, and human waste and household garbage is disposed of directly into the nearby passing water channels. Sources said the samples collected by the EPC from these areas suggested that water in these channels was not fit for human consumption. “We have conveyed our concern to the departments concerned for reciprocal action,” they said.

The officials concerned of Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (PEPA) told this correspondent that the role of the Capital Development Authority and Tehsil Municipal Administration had not been up to the expectations. They also agreed that the water channels of Islamabad originating from Margalla hills, which were once source of drinkable water, had been turned into stinking nullahs.