ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has invited public comments on the increase in pollution during the construction of residential areas in Gulberg Greens and apartments being built by the Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) on Kuri Road.

The Pak-EPA Act 1997 makes it mandatory for project proponents to carry out an environment impact assessment (EIA) on development projects, and binds developers to incorporate environmental and social mitigation measures as part of project planning to obtain clearance from the Pak-EPA before the project is implemented.

The main objectives of the EIA are to determine the pre-project state of affairs, document all resources likely to be affected from implementation of the proposed project and allow planners to alleviate potential impacts of the proposed project on different environmental conditions, such as physical environment, biological environment and socio-economic environment.

The Pak-EPA has observed that construction activities at Gulberg Greens Residencia will generate solid waste and soil contamination problems, including the pollution of existing surface water resources and spring water, besides disrupting infrastructure facilities.

“Ecological disturbance of the area due to cutting of trees may be an adverse impact during construction. Moderate impact will be on air quality when dust is generated, besides exhaust gasses and high noise levels during the project construction and operation,” the agency said on Saturday.

It will hold a separate meeting to invite concerns from the public regarding potential adverse impacts during the construction of apartments by the PHA on Kuri Road and in I-16.

The Pak-EPA will welcome suggestions as mitigation measures. Some of the adverse impacts from development of these apartment buildings include the disruption of the existing natural environment and the modification of the microclimate, increased development density, reduction of natural ground cover, obstruction of ventilating wind and increased surface run-off.

The Pak-EPA is also concerned about pollution and health hazards arising from dust, noise and other construction waste as well as increased social conflict.

Some of the positives expected to come from the public hearings is to ensure that building codes are compatible with existing conditions of the area, careful layout and orientation of buildings are suggested to respect wind and sun direction and adequate provision of green and open space planted with grass, shrub and tree cover.

One of the most important aspects would be to ensure the containment of noisy operations away from sensitive neighbours, limit construction work to daytime only and to take shortest possible time. Besides encouraging rainwater harvesting and increased water storage capacity, the Pak-EPA will also ensure that developers provide an adequate storm water drainage system.

“During the public hearing, Pak-EPA will also encourage the formation of community policing and the formation of neighbourhood associations,” an agency official said.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2020