Eco-Watch, an NGO working for the elimination of water pollution, has asked the government to adopt pragmatic measures to save the Lahore Canal, which has been converted into a sewerage drain due to emission of polluted water from housing societies and industrial units, posing serious threat.
MNA Chaudhry Aitzaz Ashan and Eco-Watch Chairman Imran Haider told newsmen here on Wednesday that many residential colonies and industrial units on either side of the Canal were discharging their sewerage and waste into the canal, which was leaving harmful effects on the environment as well as public health, as through irrigation water the pollutants were entering the food cycle.
Countless seepage contaminated tube-wells supplying drinking water to the citizens and it was causing hepatitis, diarrhoea, typhoid, anaemia, skin diseases and swollen eyes, they pointed out.
Imran said that Eco-Watch was making efforts to bring the harmful effect of sewerage waste discharged in the canal to all concerned departments of the Punjab government.
Failing to obtain any positive response, Eco-Watch finally filed a complaint before the Tribunal for the Protection of Environment, which admitted the complaint and issued notices to the respondents.
In the wake of observations made by the Tribunal, the Punjab government had been constrained to sanction a sum of Rs 577 million for the provision of a proper sewerage discharge for the localities of Harbanspura, Kalandarpura, Amir Town, Canal Bank, Bhatha Gadian, Salamatpura, Maqsoodpura, Canal Bank Housing Society, Mehr Fayyaz Colony, Fateh Ghar, Miskinpura, Gulshan Park, Shama Park etc.
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