KARACHI: Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has initiated legal action with reference to Section 17 of Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014 (SEP-Act14) against seven construction projects of residential and commercial buildings which are in progress in various localities of District East of Karachi division, the officials said Monday.
They said an Environmental Protection Order (EPO) has been issued on an under-construction project situated in P.E.C.H Society as soon as it was established that the project is being constructed in open violation of the concerned clauses of SEP-Act14, they alleged.
While another EPO is under process which will be issued on another such project being carried out in Bahadurabad.
Besides, the proponents of another two projects under construction in Scheme 33 and PIB Colony are being directed to appear in person before Director General SEPA to defend their position that why not a legal action with regard to their violation may be initiated against them. Two more projects of similar nature are being further surveyed from environmental point of view and their management has been informed in this regard. The management of seventh construction project located at Shaheed-e-Millat Road has submitted its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report in SEPA which is being processed as per concerned rules and regulations.
SEPA officials said it is mandatory for all development projects in Sindh to obtain their environmental approval from SEPA else their environmental clearance will remain in question.
People interested to buy any shop or flat in any construction project in Sindh should check an NoC issued from SEPA, in addition to other necessary documents, before initiating their booking process.
A development project carried out without obtaining its environmental approval puts severe harmful effects on environment and climate conditions of the area.
Mostly such projects design and build their sewerage and solid waste systems, car parking, rescue arrangements and the provisions of utility services by putting aside their environmental requirements. As a result instead of ensuring sustainable development they bring on public nuisance.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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