Islamabad : The recent fish die-off in Rawal Dam has raised alarm bells as the reservoir’s water levels continue to drop drastically. This situation has prompted swift action from the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), highlighting significant environmental concerns.
Under the direction of Ms. Farzana Altaf Shah, Director General Pak-EPA, an inspection was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Director (Lab/NEQS), and Mr. Ashiq Nawaz, Director (EIA/Mont). The team visited Rawal Dam to assess the current conditions and collect water samples from five critical points, including three inlet points: Kashmir Chowk Point, Diplomatic Enclave near Lake View Point, and AQ Khan Road Korang Point, as well as the center of the dam and the outlet spillway point.
At each location, the team conducted an on-site physiochemical analysis, measuring key indicators such as dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, turbidity, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and water temperature. These parameters are crucial for understanding the immediate environmental factors impacting aquatic life.
To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, samples have been sent to the CLEAN laboratory Pak-EPA for detailed chemical and microbial analysis. The results will provide insights into the potential causes of the fish die-off and help formulate necessary interventions.
