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Developments in and Around Murree Hills IUCN Pakistan Rapid Environmental Appraisal of Developments in and Around Murree Hills May 2005 Five Year Plan 2005-2010 1 IUCN’s Input to Brown Sector Component of Environment Chapter Contents Acronyms and Abbreviations………………………………………………………………………………………..ii Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................iii 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1 2. Developments in Murree Hills ..........................................................................................................1 2.1 Rawal Lake: .................................................................................................................................2 3. Legal Action .....................................................................................................................................2 4. New Murree......................................................................................................................................2 4.1 New Murree Development Authority (NMDA):.............................................................................3 4.2 Key Issues related to New Murree: .............................................................................................4 4.2.1 Protected Forest:.....................................................................................................................4 4.2.2 Geological Instability: ..............................................................................................................5 4.2.3 Water Supply & Sanitation: .....................................................................................................6 5. Islamabad-Muzaffarabad Dual Carriageway N-75...........................................................................7 5.1 Simly Dam....................................................................................................................................7 6. Recommendations ...........................................................................................................................8 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................................................9 Consultations ..............................................................................................................................................10 Rapid Environmental Appraisal of Developments in and around Murree Hills i IUCN Pakistan Acronyms and Abbreviations EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPA Environmental Protection Agency EPD Environment Protection Department IEE Initial Environmental Examination IUCN The World Conservation Union MBT Main Boundary Thrust MCE Maximum Credible Earthquake NESPAK National Engineering Services Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited NMDA New Murree Development Authority PEPA ‘97 Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDPI Sustainable Development Policy Institute WAPDA Water and Power Development Authority WASA Water and Sanitation Agency Rapid Environmental Appraisal of Developments in and around Murree Hills ii IUCN Pakistan Executive Summary In view of the increased building and construction activities in the Murree Hills, especially the proposed New Murree City, IUCN commissioned a study to identify the key issues that needed attention for sustainable development of the area. The study (a Rapid Environmental Appraisal) included review of available relevant documents, field visit and discussions with stakeholders. Based on these limitations, its conclusions are only preliminary, and do not aim to preempt, or be considered a substitute for, the results of a more detailed environmental assessment. Here is a summary of the outcome: 1. In general, the Murree Hills appear to be overcrowded with tourists. There are widespread construction activities, some of them illegal, in and around Murree including the lower stretches of the Rawal Dam catchment area. There are no proper arrangements for the management of solid waste and wastewater. A law suit filed in July 2003 with the Lahore High Court against some of these constructions is still under hearing. 2. A new mega project in Murree Hills, New Murree, is planned as a tourist city of international standard. Covering 4,111 acres of reserved forests at about 2000 meters to 2300 meters elevation in the Patriata area, New Murree will cater to some 50,000 visitors per day. The mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 (PEPA ’97) for all such projects, has yet to be undertaken. 3. On the other hand, for executing this Rs 8 billion project, the Punjab Government has formed the New Murree Development Authority (NMDA), chaired by the Chief Minister. Under the NMDA Act 2004, full powers have been given to the Authority for overriding certain existing rules and assuming powers given to local governments. NMDA has short-listed Thai Fedcon and NESPAK for developing a Master Plan. 4. Main threats related to the development of New Murree include construction activities in a reserved forest area, geological instabilities, and water supply and sanitation related issues. 5. The proposed plan includes the removal of up to 8 percent of the trees (totaling a maximum number of 11, 680) within the New Murree boundaries which fall under a reserved forest area. And while the total building cover is not proposed to exceed 10.5 percent of this area, given that it is being done in a prime forested area, this drastic change in land use could have far reaching implications that need to be carefully considered. 6. In particular, a baseline study of the biological diversity in the Patriata forest needs to be undertaken to have a better understanding of the resources threatened by the proposed development. 7. The volume of surface runoff from snow melt and rainfall is likely to be affected by the cutting of trees and addition of paved surfaces in New Murree. Similarly, the plan to develop waterfront recreation at Khad Kas and Jehlum River needs careful review for its impact on downstream water quality and aquatic life. 8. Again, while according to the Feasibility Report by NESPAK, geologically stable ridges have been chosen for the construction of buildings, which would follow ground contours, some earlier geological reports suggest against any such construction in the area. A study needs to be carried out to ascertain the impacts of both erosion and seismic activity, especially in view of possible secondary developments in the area. 9. The New Murree Development Authority has been given full control over water resources of the area with the municipal water supply being planned from River Jehlum. Four wastewater treatment plants and a three acre sanitary landfill for solid waste are included in the proposed Rapid Environmental Appraisal of Developments in and around Murree Hills iii IUCN Pakistan plan. However, there is a need to examine the possible extent of secondary developments around New Murree and their possible impacts on water supply and sanitation in the area. 10. The under-construction 43 km long highway passes close to New Murree. This is part of the Islamabad-Muzaffarabad Dual Carriageway N-75. People relocated generally appear to be satisfied with the compensation provided. Nonetheless, road clearing continues to pose a threat to a number of graves at Mughal Abad. The road construction spoils in many areas have been dumped along the water channels and some of these spoil slopes have not been stabilized. 11. For Rawal and Simly dams, data already available need to be analyzed for ascertaining the correlation between different developmental activities in the Murree Hills and incoming water quality and sedimentation rate. 12. A Cumulative Impact Assessment encompassing the developments at both old Murree and Patriata (New Murree), would be more appropriate than an EIA for Simly and Rawal Catchment areas. 13. The Murree District Government needs to be strengthened – in terms of its technical capacity - to better manage the area and natural resources under its jurisdiction from a sustainability point of view. 14. Institutional mechanisms need be put in place and strengthened to prevent unilateral decision-making pertaining to the natural assets of the country. Rapid Environmental Appraisal of Developments in and around Murree Hills iv IUCN Pakistan Rapid Environmental Appraisal of Developments in and Around Murree Hills 1. Introduction The Murree Hills are studded with different types of buildings, including many multistoried structures. Industrial buildings include sawmills, small-scale cottage operations and medium to large-scale multistory poultry farms. There are also many shopping areas and a wide range of recreation facilities including golf courses that attract a large number of tourists. The number of houses in the area has increased partly due to the rise in local population and partly due to investments by government and private agencies in developing military colonies, offices, educational institutions, hotels and guesthouses, and residential areas. Many of these are occupied only seasonally. The number of tourists in the area has expanded quite significantly with the improvement of the roads and transport facilities. Other contributing factors include restricted international
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