ISLAMABAD, April 22: The tributaries of Nullah Leh, flowing from Margalla Hills, where once acquatic-life flourished, has been turned into poisonous, polluted streams with the setting up of ‘service stations’ along their course.

The tributaries passing through sectors F-6, F/6-4, F-5 and G-10 are areas where vehicles are washed for Rs30 to Rs40 with detergents and other chemicals.

Since they provide cheap service, most people come to them, ignoring the deadly effect their service is having on the water, leading to the worst form of water pollution.

The service station at sector F-5 is located close to the Institute of Strategic Studies is generally frequented by the bureaucrats and most of the cars washed here belong to them. But they have never bothered to find out what these car washers are doing to the once clear water of Nullah Leah.

These washers are not concerned with the beauty or pollution, their objective is to earn money, at any cost,”even at the cost of environment and lives”, according to a boy working in G-10.

Symposiums and seminars are held throughout the country to protect the environment, large amount of funds are spent on these activities, but on the ground, nothing is happening.

The capital Development Authority should impose a ban on these service stations located near these streams and an awareness campaign should be launched to educate the people about water pollution.—A Reporter