Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK):(Parliament Times) Speakers at an open public hearing here on Tuesday expressed the optimism that the arrival of first 5-star hotel in Mirpur would, indeed, open new vistas of the uplift and promotion of tourism industry in this, comparatively developed part of Azad Jammu Kashmir.
The ceremony was hosted by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of AJK Government with the coordination of M/s Pakistan Services Ltd, Hashoo Group of Companies at a local hotel to assess negative and positive impacts of the project on the environment and overall socio economic development of the region.
Pertinently, the PC is being constructed at the scenic peak adjacent to the picturesque Mangla lake over an area of 220 kanal of land – allotted on 50 years lease to M/s. Hashoo Group, the owners of the global hotelier chain. It will comprise 156 bed rooms besides housing all state of the art facilities in the most modern building designed by veteran world-fame Pakistan architect Nayyer Ali Dada – depicting the traditional Kashmiri architecture, it was told on this occasion through multi-media by the team supervising the gigantic project.
Speakers including the chief guest Director General Environmental Protection Agency Azad Jammu & Kashmir (EPA-AJK) Raja Muhammad Razzaque, Mr. Craig Clulow Group Chief Development Officer, Hashoo Group of Companies, Sardar Idrees Mahmood, Deputy Director EPA Mirpur Division, Mr. Usama, Project Coordinator Pakistan Services Ltd, Hashoo Group of Companies, Altaf Hamid Rao President Environmental Journalist Forum AJK, Naeem Ali Khan, Director Wild Life & Fisheries Department of AJK government, Mian Sultan Mahmood Advocate, Secretary General AJK Supreme Court Bar Association, Arslan Nusrat, AJK-based Program Advisor of Muslim Hands (International NGO), Raja Khalid Mahmood, President his faction of Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran Mirpur and others strongly suggested the implementation of the prevailing law of land for environmental protection through the construction of the PC hotel like mega projects in this part of AJK.
Speakers described the arrival of first 5-star hotel in this ancestral district of over a million of UK-based Kashmiri expatriates – as a good omen towards the speedy promotion of tourism in this scenic part of Azad Jammu Kashmir. Addressing the gathering of large number of people belonging to all walks of life, attending the public hearing, the chief guest Director General Environmental Protection Agency Azad Jammu & Kashmir (EPA-AJK), Raja Muhammad Razzaque said that the Construction of PC hotel at Mirpur will result in multiple Socio-Economic Development in AJK, particularly, in Mirpur saying that the mega project was the outcome of Investment Friendly Policies of the Government of AJ&K which are now transforming into Sustainable Development.
He, however, emphasized that since the project was being executed on the bank of Mangla Reservoir, hence falls within the Environmentally Sensitive Area. He apprehended that during operation period of hotel may add as contributor for water pollution and contamination unless the wastewater is not treated properly. He underlined that since fish species are being supplied to all major cities of Pakistan from Mangla reservoir, therefore, fish grown in contaminated polluted water may, over the time, adversely affect the food chain causing health issues, if wastewater drained from hotel is not treated in scientific manners prior to its disposal.
The event was largely attended by Stakeholders including Secretary General AJK Supreme Court Bar Association, President Environment Journalist Forum, President Trade Union Mirpur, Members of Bar Association, Journalists, Representative of NGO’s and Officials of Line Departments. They all actively participated in the proceedings of Public Hearing through comments, observations and questions. The Environment Consultant made a comprehensive Presentation at the occasion. The proponent was represented by Mr. Craig Clulow Group Chief Development Officer, Hashoo Group of Companies. While the community and civil society deeply hailed the proactive role EPA for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, prevention control of pollution and promotion of sustainable development in the region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The DG EPA Raja Razaq also gave, on this occasion, an overview of Construction of Hydropower Projects in Jhelum and Poonch Basin and highlighted the Plight of Environment as a result of divergence of waters in tunneling and issues related to Environmental Flow. He also gave an overview of Special Economic Zone and Construction of MMMM Expressway road that besides generation of development activities at large scale will also entail environmental challenges for development planners. He while focusing on mainstreaming the Environment in Development projects, directed the proponents to adopt proper mitigation measures to safeguard the Environment in AJK.
He, in particular, referred to various International Agreements and Conventions to which Government of Pakistan is signatory besides AJK Environmental Protection Act 2000, and regulations made there under that bind the proponents to adopt proper mitigation measures for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
It may be added that the Pakistan Services Limited, belonging to Hashoo Group of Hotels, engaged in hotel business, owns and operates the chain of Pearl Continental (PC) hotels in Pakistan, being proponent, had filed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the construction of PC hotel at Mirpur to the Agency to seek Environmental Approval.
The EIA report of the said project is under review process with EPA. In order to secure the technical input, the said EIA has already been shared with the concerned Line Agencies. However, the Environmental Law of the State also enunciates that the review process of EIA, for granting Environmental Approval for any project, shall have an account of the views, comments observation or suggestion from the project’s beneficiaries, affectees and other interested groups, as well. The public hearing was arranged in compliance to Environment Law by the proponent of the project on EIA for construction of PC hotel at Mirpur.
The participants shared the mixed valuable input and concerns besides healthy suggestions for ensuring and maintaining the pollution-free environment in all respect through the strict implementation of the environmental laws for the proper construction and completion of the project accordingly.
