Islamabad will soon celebrate 50 years of its existence. But, what is there to show for it? The worst air pollution ever engulfed the city for weeks in 2007, while the increasing gutter fragrance, so common now in this capital of ours, filters through closed doors and windows. Warned are we that water shortage, constant load-shedding and low gas pressure will be upon us in full force this coming summer.
Although the highest number of foreign degree holders reside within its boundary no pressure group questions why 'water tankers' have become a permanent feature, nor are bans imposed by the CDA on the ever-increasing number of privately installed tube wells. Instead, the planners are fully supportive of the prevalent resistance of the upper strata of society to sacrificing personal comforts for the betterment of their surrounding.
Unheeded are the concerns of the early planners about keeping a balance in discharge versus the recharge of groundwater, and the CDA is adamant in accepting its responsibility as an effective service provider, as the development part of its title is more lucrative.
Visionary planning is unknown within CDA's fold and it has surrounded itself with a corps of consultants to find a solution to the looming water crisis within its territory. Amazingly, this corps of specialists identified Pakistan's lifeline, the River Indus, as the only salvation for the survival of the constantly expanding capital territory. They were unaware that the Indus Regulatory System Authority, situated right in the heart of Islamabad, could have provided them with details of the periodic seasonal crisis in this lifeline. Diverting water from this source would have reduced the power-generating capacity of Tarbela and Ghazi Barotha.
In retrospect, one can appreciate the British occupation force in Germany, who prior to establishing their cantonments made sure that the water sources would not run dry on them. Consideration was even given to not disturbing the supply system of local communities and that of the lower riparian, unbelievable for an occupation force. Could the fate of Fatehpur Sikri have played a decisive role in this decision, as most planned sites were in the midst of fertile landscapes? If so, why can our planners never learn from mistakes committed in the past, while erstwhile rulers seem to have gained from this exposure, at least on European soil?While in the West, global climate change is given serious thought, the CDA plans a chairlift right in the middle of the Margalla Hills, the only known watershed fully in its control and known as the 'recharge of the groundwater table of the capital'. Conveniently, no data is accessible in its offices, which would provide details of this vanishing sweet groundwater. However, it is known that water drawn from 200ft is already contaminated. The CDA chairman dares to compare these hills to the Swiss Alps, readily ignoring the difference in climate between the two countries, besides cultural practices.
In the midst of this energy and water crisis, Jinnah Park is being prepared for the 22nd century, as one assumes that by that time all varieties of crises would be solved. Residents of adjoining sectors look at this park, replenished with imported exotic grasses, alien shrubs, plants and trees, requiring constant watering, when their water supply lines are empty. To further expose the crisis-burdened public to the CDA's tremendous feat, each collection of plants is separately illuminated and one wonders if this could be the cause of load-shedding in the residential sectors.Islamabad could once upon a time certainly have been bracketed as a Green City. Today, unplanned expansion within and around the capital territory is rapidly reducing the vegetative cover. No federal or provincial planning department has shown concern over the horrendous development schemes in the Murree Hills. Vast stretches of undulating shrub land are being levelled making way for the new golf city that the king of Bahria Towns is blessing the twin cities with. A huge apartment block, encroaching right into the riverbed of the Korang river, feeding Rawal lake, the drinking water reservoir for Rawalpindi, prides itself on belonging to the offspring of the founder of Islamabad. These new development projects will be withdrawing the last drop of water that Pindi residents are already crying for.
Who in the erstwhile assemblies raised a voice of concern? And who of the future ones will take up this issue, when 'wheels under the applications and files' will continue to smooth out its path? Already, one hears the promise of one candidate from the Murree Hills that he will build a New Murree City, if he is elected.
So, adieu Islamabad, I am all for a mountain retreat, as no air-conditioning and fans are required, at least not for the next five years. By then, surely the slopes of Nanga Parbat will be stripped bare of vegetation and provide a haven for enterprising real estate developers. Further north we seekers of comfort shall move.
http://dawn.com/2008/02/11/op.htm#4
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