November 03, 2007	Saturday	Shawwal 21, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has suggested that Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) address the threats its 6th Secondary Transmission and Grid (STG) and Energy Loss Reduction (ELR) project pose to the environment and the socioeconomic conditions of the people.

Pak-EPA listed the threats as erosion and degradation of soil, air pollution, contamination of surface and ground water, loss of vegetation and adverse impacts on the wildlife.

On the socioeconomic side, the agency fears the STG and ELR project would upset habitations, public health, gender issues and cause noise and safety hazards.

Pak-EPA has accordingly arranged a hearing on November 14 to elicit public comments on the Environmental Assessment Summary (ESA) report of the project which provides detailed information on the existing environmental conditions, description of the project, analysis of the impacts and suggested mitigation.

Spread over 2.2 million hectares, the proposed project is located partially in Punjab province (Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal and Rawalpindi) and partially in Azad Kashmir.

On the basis of overall impact assessment the project would not cause “significant lasting harm” on the social, physical and biological environment if proposed mitigation measures were implemented.

According to ESA key recommendations pertaining to the environmental and social assessment of the IESCO project included that IESCO implemented a plantation plan and developed linkages with Wildlife Department and a special programme to eliminate the poly-chlorinated biphenyl (PCB-containing) transformer oil from its entire system.

Pak-EPA also recommended that IESCO set up an environmental cell within the company and develop and commit to an Environment Policy towards sound environment management practices throughout its operations.

The 6th STG and ERL project aims at increasing efficiency, reliability and quality of electricity supply and at cutting down commercial losses and control voltage fluctuation.