ISLAMABAD: Sewage has alarmingly increased in the streams of the capital which can be observed at the bioremediation project launched by the National Agricultural Research Centre at Rose and Jasmine Garden some five years ago.

Although Capital Development Authority (CDA) has a system that carries the capital’s sewage to the treatment plant in sector I-9, it (sewage) has started coming from the catchment areas of the streams of Islamabad.

The then NARC chairman, Dr Zafar Altaf, establish a bioremediation plant at the garden to clean the stream of the federal capital which passes through the park.

However, with the passage of time sewage level has increased in the streams as the area near the bioremediation project gave out an unpleasant odour.

Besides foam generated by washing powder and soap can be seen at the project site.

President Pakistan Agricultural Research Council Scientists Association (PARCSA) Mohammad Altaf Sher, while talking to Dawn, said bioremediation was basically a waste management technique that involves the use of organisms to remove or neutralize pollutants from stream.

“After passing through this process the water becomes clean and can be used for irrigation.

“However, I believe that there can be some amount of chemicals in the water because industrial waste is also being released in the streams,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2016