ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) appears to have lost interest in its drive against those residents who have encroached upon CDA land in developing gardens.

This operation was launched in the first week of December 2014 but since then many such encroachments have been reported to the CDA and no action has been taken against them.

One of these complaints was filed by the environment wing against its own field staff and said that some residents are dumping soil in the natural nullah in F-11 in the process of extending their gardens. The complainant notes that diverting the natural course of the stream and making it narrower can cause it to flood and damage neighboring houses.

This complaint was filed a few months back and no action has been taken against these owners.

CDA member Environment Mustafain Kazmi also appears helpless against such encroachments. He told Dawn that inquiries have been ordered in several cases of encroachment. “However, I find it inappropriate to discuss the details for any case under inquiry,” he said.

Meanwhile, sources in the authority commented that the inquiry is unlikely to deter this particular encroachment in Sector F-11/2. An official said that the resident against whom the complaint has been made has already paid Rupees 10000 in fines for dumping soil in the nullah but continues to develop his garden.

“This is similar to another case of dumping soil and debris in the nullah in F-6/1 where CDA did carry out an inquiry but failed to punish the person responsible,” he said.

CDA Deputy Director General Enforcement Aasia Gul said the problem is that residents use their political influence to intimidate field staff.

Spokesman CDA Asim Khichi said that people began to misuse the permission and erected boundaries around the gardens they had developed on CDA land.

“We are pursuing such cases by issuing warnings to residents and eventually the garden will be bulldozed but meanwhile new encroachments keep being developed,” Mr Khichi added.

Published in Dawn January 18th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play