KARACHI: Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued Environmental Protection Order (EPO) to M/s Creek Marina Builders and Developers directing them to stop construction of the building which is being constructed in Defence Housing Authority DHA Phase 8, situated at Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue Karachi, because of not filing its mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA) as per law.
DG, SEPA Naeem Ahmed Mughal pointed out in EPO that the builder of the subject building was earlier offered an opportunity for personal hearing on 15/2/21 to seek their reply for non-compliance with the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014.
Subsequently, on non-submission of the required document, DG SEPA said, the builder has been directed to stop constructing the referred building until its environmental approval is obtained.
Naeem Mughal DG SEPA also warned that on failure to comply with directives specified in EPO, the prosecution shall be initiated in a concerned court of law against the proponent.
It may be pointed out that under Section 17 of Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014 no proponent shall commence or construct a development project within the jurisdiction of Sindh province unless its environmental approval by submitting EIA or IEE is obtained from SEPA.
Whereas under Section 21 of the same Act DG SEPA has authority to stop construction or installation of a development project which was initiated without prior approval of Sindh EPA by filing its EIA or Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).
