Food outlets at Daman-e-Koh and Peer Sohawa are polluting the areas’ natural streams as wastewater is being discharged into them. They are also a source of noise and environmental pollution.
“The Capital Development Authority (CDA) allowed the construction of eateries at Daman-e-Koh and Peer Sohawa under the condition that the establishments would take effective measures to avoid water, noise and environmental pollution in the area. The managements of these outlets were directed to ensure that kitchen wastewater and flush wastewater did not flow into the natural streams,” an official source told Pakistan Today.
He said the eateries’ owners were also directed to build aseptic tanks and soakage pits for the wastewater treatment. The eateries used aseptic tanks in the past but now they have given up this practice. They have also installed power generators that cause noise and environmental pollution.
The CDA Environment Protection Wing received several complaints regarding the contamination and issued notices to the eateries, which have till now, turned a blind eye to the situation. The wing also informed the owners that water pollution had caused water-borne diseases in Saidpur and Gokina villages.
Wildlife Bio resources Department Research Officer Dr Hameed said since the establishment of food outlets in the park, it had been excluded from the list of international ranking parks.
He said over 10,000 people visited Margalla Hills daily and over 2,500 vehicles travelled there. This had disturbed the natural ecosystem, temperature and wildlife of the area. According to a survey conducted by the Wildlife Department in 2005 and before, goral, barking deer and other animals were present in the area in large numbers. But according to the current surveys, many species have gone extinct disturbing the environment.
