GILGIT, Dec 16: The federal government has extended the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (Pepa), 1997 to the Northern Areas.

The government has issued an Adaptation and Enforcement Order to this effectrecently that would come into force immediately, the law would be applicable throughout Northern Areas, a source in Northern Areas Forests Department told Dawn the other day.

“The extension of the Pepa to the Northern Areas is a significant milestone in the NAs Administration’s effort to conserve the outstanding natural beauty and resources of the region”, the source added.

The Planning and Development Department of the NAs administration, which is formulating the Northern Areas Strategy for Sustainable Development (NASSD) with the technical assistance of IUCN-Pakistan, joined the Northern Areas Legislative Council in advocacy and efforts for the extension of the Act to the Northern Areas.

Haji Fida Mohammad Nashad, Northern Areas deputy chief executive, paved the way for the extension of Pepa by catalyzing a decision to establish a directorate of environment protection in the region during the ninth meeting of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) presided over by the President of Pakistan, an official said.

He added that later, the NACS Steering Committee in its fourth meeting decided to constitute a three-member committee to explore possibilities for the extension of the Pepa.