ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has asked the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to submit a report on the sources of contamination in Rawal Lake, a major water reservoir for Rawalpindi city.

IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on Monday took up petitions by advocate Pir Fida Hussain and local resident Jahangir Abbasi.

In his petition, Mr Hussain adopted that residences in Rawal Lake’s catchment area were contaminating the lake. According to the petition, sewage from Banigala, Bhara Kahu, Malpur, Phulgran and Bahria Enclave travels to the lake, making the water unfit for human consumption.

The petition said around 170 poultry farms along the Korang River also release toxic waste into a ravine that falls into the lake.

CDA Additional Legal Adviser Amir Latif Gill told Justice Siddiqui that sewage from diplomatic missions also contaminates the lake.

Justice Siddiqui observed that such toxic waste is hazardous to humans as well as aquaculture.

He directed the CDA to submit a comprehensive report supported by satellite imagery explaining how the Rawal Lake catchment area has been encroached on over the years.

The court also sought details of illegal activities near the lake and asked the CDA to apprise the court on major sources of contamination.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2018