People directly affected by the 2D seismic survey in sensitive areas of the Margalla and Margalla North Blocks, expressed apprehensions about the management of Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) at a public hearing on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of this project, held here on Saturday.
The meeting was chaired by Asif Shuja, Director General Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), and was attended by Janos Feher, Managing Director, MOL, Pakistan Oil and Gas Company, representatives from public and private sector organisations, academia and civil society.
Speaking on the occasion, Janos Feher, assured the people that during the execution of Seismic Survey project the company will be responsible to take care of environment as well as the social development of the area through proper monitoring and Environment Managing Plan.
"The 2D seismic survey in sensitive areas of Margalla and Margalla North Blocks, will exhibit a role model of environment conservation, protection and social development of the area", said Janos Feher. He further said that the proponents are committed to provide safe and secure environment in and around the proposed project.
Addressing the participants, MHNP representatives showed concern saying this development may open up this area for other developmental activities, which would adversely affect the Margalla Hills, as evident around Taxila.
Sharing the details of the project and its report, officials of Pak-EPA told Business Recorder that the government has granted an oil and gas exploration licence to MOL in Margalla and North Margalla blocks.
Therefore under the provision of EPA Act 1997 and IEE/EIA Regulations 2000, M/s MOL submitted the EIA report of the project to Pak-EPA on January 26, 2008.
The report contained detailed information on the existing environmental conditions, description of the project, analysis of impact and suggested mitigation measures to be implemented during the execution of the proposed project, said the officials.
Hence, in accordance with the IEE/EIA Regulations 2000, Pak-EPA issued public notices appeared in various national English and Urdu newspapers inviting comments of the general public and other stakeholders. Therefore, to follow up the review and public consultation this public hearing was arranged by Pak-EPA.
Officials said that the sensitive areas where project will be carried out will primarily be the western part of MHNP, Islamabad Wildlife Sanctuary (IWS), Shakarparian and Taxila Conservation Zone (TCZ). The total area covered under the project will be 65 acres.
However, the objective of the project is to search for rocks that can be potential source of hydrocarbons and for rock structures that might have trapped those hydrocarbons.
The report concluded that if the 2D seismic survey incorporated all the mitigation measures, the anticipated impact of the project on the area's natural and socio-economic environment will remain well within acceptable limits. The project will also comply with all the statutory requirements and standards of the government.
When asked about the budget allocation of the project, the officials said that up till now no budget has been announced by MOL.However it is expected that the project will be initiated in November, this year.
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