Latest news with #EnvironmentalProtectionandClimateChangeDepartment
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Rotting Eid waste sparks health crisis
Massive heaps of waste, including animal entrails, blood and trash from Eidul Azha sacrifices, have piled up to 15-20 feet high at the Losar dumping ground in Rawalpindi. The site, already overwhelmed, is now emitting a foul stench worsened by recent monsoon rains and sunshine. Animal remains dumped over the past month have become a breeding ground for disease. Residents report outbreaks of eye infections, stomach and throat ailments, hepatitis, cancer, and various skin diseases in surrounding areas. In addition to Rawalpindi's waste, garbage from the newly formed Murree district and its Kotli Sattian tehsil is also being dumped at Losar. Around 20-30 garbage trucks from Islamabad and 30-40 from Rawalpindi offload waste here daily, without proper disposal — vehicles simply dump the trash in open areas. The 1,200-kanal landfill has turned into a mountain range of filth. Attempts by locals to prevent Islamabad's waste from being dumped in Rawalpindi have failed. The Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department has upheld the practice, and court battles initiated by residents have also ended in defeat. Locals Chaudhry Raheel, Fayaz Gilani, and Haji Ibrahim said they set up a medical camp near the dumping ground and conducted check-ups for area residents. Results claimed that 65 per cent of the people were infected with hepatitis, with cases also found among children. Eye and throat diseases were widespread. They added that during the previous PTI-led Punjab government, plans were approved to shift the dumping ground to Chak Beli Khan — a remote area. Land covering 1,000 kanals was acquired for this purpose, and a modern waste disposal plant, including a project to generate electricity from residual waste, was approved. The current government has shelved the project. Deputy Medical Superintendent of Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, Dr Inayat, stated that medical and lab waste often ends up in the dumping ground and must be treated with special equipment. If not, it poses serious health risks. He emphasised that chemical sprays should be applied daily at the site and that waste should be buried in dug-out pits rather than dumped openly. Fayaz Gilani, chairman of a local action committee, said surveys show the waste has contaminated underground water. The group now plans to file a petition in the Rawalpindi bench of the High Court.
Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Pindi bans new car wash stations amid water crisis
To mitigate the growing threat of a severe water crisis, the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department has imposed an immediate ban on the establishment of new car wash service stations across the province, including all six districts of Rawalpindi Division. The department has issued a warning that violators of the ban will face legal action under Section 188. The department's Director General Dr Imran Sheikh stated that washing a single car consumes approximately 40 litres of water, while motorcycles require around 20 litres and larger vehicles up to 50 litres. With thousands of vehicles washed daily, billions of litres of water are being wastedresources that could otherwise be conserved. According to the Rawalpindi district office of the department, there are an estimated 10,000 car wash stations operating in the Rawalpindi range alone. Additionally, thousands of individuals are engaged in small-scale car washing services in local markets, typically using 5 to 7 litres of water per vehicle. Punjab has experienced 42 per cent less rainfall this year, intensifying concerns over water scarcity. The department has also enforced a strict ban on the use of diesel during vehicle washing at existing service stations in the Rawalpindi Division. The use of diesel and oil, especially when sprayed with high-pressure air and water on vehicle engines and tyres, renders the wastewater extremely polluted and unrecyclable. Any service station found using diesel or oil will be sealed. Starting Monday, April 7, the department will issue fines and potentially shut down car wash stations across Rawalpindi Division that fail to install proper water recycling systems, despite prior notices. Recycled water must be used for operations moving forward, and non-compliance will result in heavy penalties and legal action. In February, the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department issued formal red notices to all 465 car wash service stations, both large and small, in Rawalpindi district, instructing them to install wastewater recycling systems. According to officials, the notices were issued in response to the potential severe water crisis due to ongoing drought conditions. The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency, and the District Council administration have also issued similar notices to service stations, private tube wells, and bore well owners, setting a deadline of February 28 for installation. In response, car wash station owners have protested, questioning how they could afford the costly system so quickly.
Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Water recycling plan at car wash stations stalls
The Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department (EP&CCD) has completely failed to implement the "Used Water Treatment System" at car wash service stations in the Rawalpindi Division to recycle water for reuse. The Punjab government had issued red notices for installing this system in all 1,370 car service stations in the division, both small and large, with a deadline set for February 28. However, none of the car wash stations in the Rawalpindi Division installed the water treatment system by the given deadline. The department had warned of a crackdown on car service stations starting March 1 if the system was not installed. Despite this, no progress has been made at the car wash stations. Owners of car wash stations claim the system is very expensive and they cannot afford it. They argue that they earn only Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 a day, and a large portion of their income is spent on employee wages and electricity bills. Hakeem Khan, the vice president of the Car Wash Service Station Union, is of the view that if the government and administration want to make this system mandatory, they should provide easy loans or install the system for them, allowing payments to be made in installments.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Wastewater system a must for car wash stations
The Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department has issued formal red notices to all 465 car wash service stations, both large and small, in Rawalpindi district, instructing them to install wastewater recycling systems. According to officials, the notices were issued in response to the potential severe water crisis due to ongoing drought conditions. The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), and the District Council administration have also issued similar notices to service stations, private tube wells, and bore well owners, setting a deadline of February 28 for installation. In response, car wash station owners have protested, questioning how they could afford the costly system so quickly. They have requested interest-free loans from the government to comply. Car Wash Service Station Union Vice President Asghar Khan stated that stations in Rawalpindi wash between 20 and 50 cars daily and cannot afford such an expensive system. He further suggested that instead of imposing bans, the government should focus on building dams for adequate water supply. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department's spokesperson said a complete ban on automatic car washes would be enforced, with a fine of Rs100,000 for violations. High-pressure motor usage for washing cars will incur a Rs10,000 fine. These water conservation measures will take effect immediately, and strict enforcement will be ensured.
Express Tribune
13-02-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Pindi imposes water restrictions amid drought
RAWALPINDI: The worsening drought and a 42 per cent decrease in rainfall have caused groundwater levels in Rawalpindi to drop to a critical depth of 800 feet. In response, the Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change has imposed an immediate ban on the use of tube wells, wells, and boring water for the construction of buildings, houses, and plazas. Violators will face a fine of Rs10,000, the department said. Additionally, strict directives have been issued to shut down all illegal and unapproved car wash service stations. To enforce these measures, the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Department, Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA), municipal corporations, and district councils have begun operations against car wash stations. Authorities have issued formal notices to all 3,500 service stations across Rawalpindi city, district council areas, and the entire division, instructing them to voluntarily comply with the new restrictions by February 28. The crackdown will begin on Monday, with a separate operation targeting water recycling system installations starting March 3. Immediate action will also be taken to prevent unnecessary water wastage.
