Chinese company ‘dumping’ waste in Neelum River

By Tariq Naqash in Dawn
MUZAFFARABAD, June 5: An official body dealing with the reconstruction of Muzaffarabad has taken exception to the alleged dumping of earth into River Neelum by a Chinese construction company, something which is being committed with impunity by many other contractors for long notwithstanding its hazardous impact on environment on the one hand and life of Mangla Dam on the other.

When contacted by Dawn on Wednesday, Brig (retired) Shiraz Baig, project director of Muzaffarabad City Development Project (MCDP), confirmed that he had sought explanation from the China International Water and Electric Corporation through a letter after receiving reports to this effect from some quarters.

“They have, however, denied the charge saying since they maintain record of (the movement of) all of their dumper trucks no such infringement has been committed by them,” he said.

However, an official of the AJK Environment Protection Agency (EPA) told Dawn that he had himself spotted several trucks unloading mounds of earth directly into the river near the Allama Iqbal Bridge in the dead of Monday night.

“I was taken aback by seeing a queue of trucks unloading mounds of earth and debris in the river and when I asked the drivers to stop they advised me to talk to their contractor,” assistant director Shafique Abbasi said.

“This is a criminal act, having serious repercussions for our environment as well as the life of Mangla Dam,” he said.

Ironically, sources told Dawn, the EPA high ups had not initiated any action against the violators reportedly because the dumping work had been sublet by the Chinese company to a local contractor linked with the ruling elite.

In response to question, Mr Baig told that the Muzaffarabad Development Authority had identified a dumping site along the Tahli Mandi Road and he wondered why the debris and earth was not being unloaded there.

“Indeed, it’s a serious issue and we will ensure its prevention,” he vowed.

Interestingly, the place from where earth was dumped into River Neelum bore visible signs of commission of unlawful act even after two days on Wednesday.

In reply to a question, Mr Abbasi disclosed that the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) had not submitted the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the MCDP to the EPA – a prerequisite for the formal commencement of any project –notwithstanding a reminder in September 2009.

However, he said the EIA of Bagh City Development Project (BCDP) and Rawalakot City Development Project (RCDP) had lately been submitted by their heads concerned.

All the three projects are being executed by two Chinese companies under Erra’s Urban Development Programme at a cost of $353 million. Of this amount, $300 million are being provided by the Chinese government as a soft loan.

In June last year a road contractor and four of his workers were arrested by the police for dumping debris and excavated earth in River Jhelum in violation of a ban imposed by the EPA, though they had to be released shortly afterwards.

Around same time, similar complaints were reported from the Neelum valley road, being rebuilt by another Chinese company. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/islamabad/chinese-company-dumping-waste-in-neelum-river-660