KARACHI, Sept 6: The Sindh government, describing the actions taken by the Pakistan Petroleum (PPL) in the Drigh Lake Wildlife Sanctuary as irresponsible, has directed it to take remedial measures so that the habitat could be restored, it is learnt.

Sources said the decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting, attended among others by Sindh Wildlife Conservator Muneer Ahmad Awan and director-general of Sindh Environmental Protection Agency Shafeeq Ahmad Khoso.

The meeting was held to decide the issue of illegal laying of a pipeline through the world famous Drigh Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Larkana district, as such activity is not allowed under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act.

The meeting observed that the PPL had shown “negligence” and “irresponsibility” while working in the Drigh Lake.

The meeting was told that the PPL being unaware of the existence of the wildlife sanctuary unintentionally continued its pipeline laying activity and had cleared all vegetation from around 100-foot wide and over 1,700-foot long section in the lake.

The officials observed that the activity was initiated because the lake at that time was dry and no birds were present, and the impact of the pipeline laying was anticipated less than that in case of the lake had been full and migratory birds present.

Wildlife Conservator Muneer Awan said the department asked the PPL to stop the work as it was against the rules of Sindh Wildlife Protection but the PPL continued with it.

SEPA officials said the PPL had submitted the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report and it was also approved by SEPA, but the IEE report was not valid for any project activity in the protected area.

They said that the PPL had shown irresponsibility and negligence while working in the wildlife sanctuary. It should have conducted the environmental impact assessment (EIA) as required by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) and Wildlife Protection Ordinance.

They said the EIA was conducted before the project started so that its effects could be predicted and steps for their mitigation taken.

They said the PPL should carry out various rehabilitation activities at the Drigh Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, including that site restoration work on the section of pipeline passing through the lake should be completed immediately.