ISLAMABAD: More than 200 volunteers participated in a large-scale clean-up campaign at Rawal Dam on Tuesday, removing approximately two tonnes of solid waste as part of a joint environmental initiative led by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and Jazz World.
According to a CDA press release, the campaign was launched on the directions of CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa to promote environmental protection and encourage responsible waste disposal among the public.
The drive was supervised by Chief Officer MCI Dr. Anum Fatima and brought together volunteers from the CDA, MCI, Jazz World, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), educational institutions and civil society.
During the operation, participants collected 80 bags of garbage and removed around two tonnes of solid waste from the surroundings of Rawal Dam, one of Islamabad’s primary drinking water reservoirs.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anum Fatima said the initiative was aimed at protecting the reservoir while raising public awareness about the importance of keeping natural and public spaces clean.
She said the CDA and MCI, in coordination with the Government of Punjab and other relevant institutions, are implementing long-term measures to reduce pollution entering Rawal Dam.
These measures include the planned construction of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to prevent untreated wastewater from flowing into the reservoir.
Dr. Fatima also urged citizens to refrain from dumping waste into streams and nullahs, particularly those passing through Bhara Kahu and Murree, which she identified as major sources of pollution affecting Rawal Dam.
At the conclusion of the campaign, the CDA and MCI appreciated the support of Jazz World and all participating volunteers, reaffirming their commitment to working with public and private sector partners on future environmental initiatives aimed at making Islamabad cleaner, greener and more sustainable.
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