TAXILA, April 22 As the International Earth Day was observed on Wednesday with an aim to save the earth from potential degradation; stone crushers on the Margallas are eating up the scenic hills causing serious risk to earth, soil and environment.

The beautiful Margalla Hills located in Taxila valley are fading away as over 100 stone crushers are cutting down the mountains while the ministry of environment has done nothing in this regard except announcing to observe 2009 as 'The National Year of Environment'. While driving to Taxila, one can see thick clouds of dust rising from the hills changing the landscape constantly. Blasting and quarrying in this area has not only disturbed the ecological system but has also posed serious health hazards to local residents.

The clouds of dust due to the blasting of the hills have given rise to several respiratory diseases in the area. The locals fear that if the operation of these stone crushers was not stopped, soon a time will come when there would be no mountain in their neighborhood. People involved in the business told this correspondent that stones from these hills were in great demand, and firms involved in road, multi-storey building and plaza constructions always preferred them due to their superior quality. It has also been learnt that around four cement factories working in the area are also dependent on these stone crushing units.

Though the entire area was declared as a national park by the federal government in 1980, the hills are gradually being disfigured, decimated and defiled as a result of the destructive activities. A cement factory was established in 1984 in the green area. Its requirement for raw materials i.e. limestone is quarried in the national park. Consequently, the park's features, its rocks, soil, fauna and flora are being destroyed. Besides, the factory is creating serious pollution in the area. Hundreds of stone-crushers were installed in some of the most beautiful valleys and rock-mining was allowed. Quarrying in Margalla was stopped on the directives of a caretaker prime minister, Moin Qureshi. Ghulam Mustafa Khar, as minister of water and power, stopped stone crushing in Shahdara valley by simply ordering Wapda to discontinue power supply to the units. During Pervez Musharraf government, a task force was set up to study the wanton destruction and decimation of Margallas, but nothing happened afterward.

When contacted, the owners of some stone crushing machines said they were running their business with the permission of the Punjab Mineral Development Corporation. However, the PMDC officials, when contacted, said the hills had been leased out after holding consultation with the federal environment ministry. No official of the ministry was available for comments.

Staff Reporter from Islamabad adds Pakistan is facing a number of environmental challenges due to accelerated economic and demographic changes. Unsustainable rate of population growth, dependency on natural resources and lack of awareness are gradually leading to over-exploitation and ultimately environmental degradation.

This was stated by Secretary Environment Kamran Lashari while speaking at an event marking the earth day. The event was organised by an NGO, Piedar, in collaboration with the ministry of environment and CEEPAL partner schools.

The country is also facing negative consequences of climate change, such as glacial retreat, glacial lake outbursts, flash floods, lack of proper waste management system and increasing contamination issues of water and air, he added.

He said environmental degradation was estimated to cause economics loss to the tune of Rs365 billion every year. This amounts to six per cent of our GDP. The ministry of environment is planning a comprehensive programme to involve schoolchildren in raising environmental issues, and green environment clubs will be established in schools in this regard, Mr Lashari said.