CDA, volunteers clear two tonnes of garbage from Rawal Dam

ISLAMABAD, Jul 22 (APP): More than 200 volunteers removed around two tonnes of solid waste from the banks of Rawal Dam during a cleanup drive organised by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) in collaboration with Jazz World on Wednesday.

The campaign, launched on the directives of CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, was aimed at promoting environmental protection and raising public awareness about responsible waste disposal.

The drive was led by MCI Chief Officer Dr Anam Fatima and brought together representatives of CDA, MCI, Jazz World, non-governmental organisations, students and members of civil society.

According to officials, volunteers collected around 80 bags of litter, clearing approximately two tonnes of garbage from areas surrounding the reservoir, which is a major source of water for the federal capital.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Anam told APP that the initiative was organised in the public interest to help protect the environment and encourage citizens to dispose of waste responsibly.

She said the CDA and MCI were working with the Punjab government and other relevant agencies on long-term measures to reduce pollution in Rawal Dam.

These efforts, she added, include the installation of a sewage treatment plant (STP) to prevent untreated wastewater from flowing into the reservoir.

Dr Anam also appealed to residents to refrain from dumping waste into streams, particularly those originating from Bhara Kahu and Murree, saying these waterways were among the major contributors to pollution in Rawal Dam.

At the conclusion of the campaign, CDA and MCI officials thanked Jazz World and the volunteers for their participation and reiterated their commitment to working with public and private sector partners to keep Islamabad clean and environmentally sustainable.