Rawal Dam: Chemicals Used for Fishing Pose Health Risk
By: Omed Hajjana
A Parliamentary body was informed on Sunday that the contamination of Rawal Dam due to Chemicals Used for Fishing Pose Public Health Hazards.
It was informed that the usage of contagious chemicals for fishing and trapping turtles resulted in many fishes not only perishing but the water being contaminated, affecting the ecosystem.
It was revealed to the committee that the same contaminated water is also a source of water supply to Rawalpindi.
This will result in causing huge repercussions in terms of water purification and posing public health hazards to the people of the twin cities. Pakistan Faces Rise in HIV, Registers 566 New Cases
Keeping in view Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that fishing of this kind is an illegal activity and the committee must take immediate notice. The panel suggested that the said matter should be discussed on a primary basis.
The Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change Commemorates World Environment Day at Shahdara Margalla Hills National Park while participating in Cleanliness Drive.
During the awareness campaign regarding cleanliness on Sunday, the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, chaired by Senator Seemee Ezdi, participated in a cleanliness drive at the Shahdara Margalla Hills National Park to commemorate World Environment Day on June 5th.
During the event, the committee received a briefing from Rina Khan, Chairperson of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), on the organization’s efforts to protect and preserve the Margalla Hills in the capital city.
Senator Seemee Ezdi addressed the IWMB’s Wildlife Volunteer Force and the We Fixers Group, appreciating their efforts and pledging to empower the volunteer groups to take action.
The committee recognized the importance of volunteerism and stressed that preserving natural resources in the country is impossible without the role of the local community and awareness campaigns.
The committee noted that cleaning efforts are tough to maintain and achieve without incentivizing and penalizing, and recommended the strict implementation of policies.
While addressing the participants, Senator Seemee Ezdi added that the cleanliness drive is considered the only hope for the betterment of the environment, and said that the total mass of plastic waste generated so far in Pakistan is equal to the size of two k2 mountain heights.
The committee observed that Pakistan has one of the highest percentages of mismanaged plastic waste.
It was recommended that waste be classified into different types considering Pakistan has the second-largest domestic market for plastics in Southeast Asia after India; plastic waste should be made profitable.
Chairperson IWMB Rina Saeed Khan while briefing the committee said that the cleanliness drive had been formalized two years ago, this activity was declared and provided the volunteer force with regular aid and gadgets.
She said on the passing of the IWMB Act the staff will be more empowered to impose penalties. She sought the support of the committee in this regard.
She added that with such support the IWMB will be able to become a Model National park for the rest of the country.
The committee members and the students of the Ehsas School Foundation participated together in the cleanliness drive
The committee also distributed appreciation certificates amongst the IWMB volunteers and we fixers groups
The members who participated included Senator Kesho Bai, Senator Mushahid Hussain, and Senator Taj Haider. Chairpersons IWMB Rina Saeed Khan, the Ehsaas Foundation School, and other volunteer groups were also presented on the occasion.
