ISLAMABAD, March 24: The Pakistan Environment Protection Agency has expressed concern over the proposed construction of a national monument, spreading over an area of seven acres, at the west view point of Shakarparian Hills, an official source told Dawn.

So far, the ministry of culture, which is the implementing agency, has not contacted the agency to conduct an environment impact assessment of the project, he said.

It may be mentioned that the high ground had personally been approved by President Gen Pervez Musharraf for the project after visiting the sites proposed by the CDA at F-9 Park and Jasmine Garden.

The site comprises a plateau with about seven acres of sloping terrain around it. The plateau is about a hundred feet above Zero Point. "The project will definitely have environmental impact as all forms of flora and fauna would be cleared from the area," the source said.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has already approved the project worth Rs427.698 million. Pepa is not against the project but when there are a number of places available for the purpose then why only Shakarparian hills with a large number of eucalyptus trees has been selected, the official maintained.

"We have also received a number of letters from concerned citizens opposing the selection of the site and demanding that it be shifted to some other place", he said.

Under the Pakistan Environment Protection Act 1997, prior to carrying out projects at such a level, environmental clearance is mandatory. However, the source said, public sector organizations throughout the country were least bothered and did not seek environment impact assessment.