ISLAMABAD, June 7: The government has earmarked an amount of Rs2 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme 2005-06 for the clean drinking water project. Under the project, which will be implemented by the federal ministry of environment in collaboration with provincial and district governments, water treatment plants would be established at union council levels.

One treatment plant would cover at least a population of 20,000.

The total cost of the project has been worked out at Rs6.50 billion, which will be locally funded. By the year 2015, the government plans to extend the clean drinking facility throughout the country.

Overall, the environment division has been given a marked increase in its allocations from the current year’s Rs373.9 million to Rs2.930 billion. Another new project — national rivers pollution control programme — though yet to be approved, has been included in the PSDP with an allocation of Rs125 million.

Other significant projects include national lakes protection and conservation programme, Rs75 million; environmental rehabilitation and poverty reduction through participatory watershed management in Tarbela reservoir catchment area, Rs86 million; activity-based capacity development project, Rs65 million and forestry and watershed project, Rs40 million.—Staff Reporter