ISLAMABAD: The capital administration imposed a ban on the accumulation of fresh water in the shape of ponds without covers, and water fountains as a part of a series of measures for two months to stop the breeding of dengue mosquitoes ahead of the monsoon season.

An order issued by the district magistrate stated that it was a “scientific fact that fresh water is a breeding ground for the virus” that causes dengue.

The discharge of water from houses into streets and roads, accumulation of fresh water in the form of ponds without covers, fountains, and accumulated water in pots, lawns and gardens among other things is conducive to mosquitoes that spread dengue, the order said.

The order said tyre shops and scrape yards were also breeding grounds for dengue larvae. “There are sufficient grounds the district magistrate do hereby prohibit any kind of accumulation of fresh water in any form whatsoever,” it added.

In another order, directives were issued for the protection of Margalla Hills, banning BBQs, smoking, bonfires, burning and littering of garbage, and flammable items in the hills. Similarly, tree felling, polluting water sources, and clearing of land in the hills for grazing were also banned. According to the order, the abovementioned practices were violations of the Islamabad Wildfire (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Ordinance 1979 and Islamabad Preservation of Landscape Rules 1967.

“There are sufficient grounds for proceeding and directions hereinafter appearing are necessary,” the order said, adding that the district magistrate does, hereby, prohibit BBQs, smoking, bonfires, burning and littering of garbage, littering of plastic, flammable items, encroachments and grazing of livestock in the Margalla Hills National Park Islamabad in the jurisdiction of capital. These orders shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for a period of two months.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2023