EPA OF PAKISTAN

Interaction with Environment Protection Agencies

As a sequel to Industry consultation for implementation of
viable solutions to
environmental obligation initiated by PTA, PTA also approached
to Ministry of Climate
Change Islamabad and five Environment Protection Agencies,
working in federally
administered area, Punjab, Sindh, Khyper-Pakhtunkhawa and
Baluchistan, under Pakistan
Environment Protection Act of 1997. The consultation
document was sent to these agencies
to comment on the industry response to the consultation paper.
Telecom operators had
pointed out that they are already complying with the EPA Rules,
Regulations and Act.
Telecom operators further informed that their operation is
under security of the
environmental protection agencies. Any non-compliance or
observance of degraded
standards is duly identified and addressed as per prevailing
legal framework. As per the
industry response, the operators are bound to get NOCs and to
meet other requirements of
these agencies while laying out telecom infrastructure.
In view of the above, these agencies were requested to provide
a copy of Rules,
regulations and monitoring mechanism as per Telecom Policy
Clause 9.7.2(a-e) mentioned
above. These agencies were also requested to convey any
difficulty in compliance of EPA
rules, regulations and legal framework at the end of telecom
operators.
Following questions were asked from these agencies:
i. Does your office issue NOC, to Operators to install BTS
Towers? (Yes or No)
ii. Does your office have any list of Operators to whom NOC
have been issued, if
yes, please share the list with this office.
iii. Do Operators comply with your regulations? If NOT, what are
the difficulties
faced by your office.
Response of the stakeholders was thoroughly analyzed. Officers
of the S &D
Division, visited monitoring facilities of EPA Islamabad and
discussed in detail all related
issues. These agencies have their own setups for monitoring the
quality of standards with
regard to environmental protection as per relevant laws, rules
and regulations.
Environment Protection Agency Government of Punjab
The most comprehensive reply was received from Environment
Protection
Agency, Government of the Punjab. It was informed that in
exercise of powers conferred
upon section 33 of Punjab Environment Protection Act, 2012,
EPA Punjab has devised
Punjab Environment Protection (BTS) Regulations, 2012 as a
regulatory framework for
ensuring environmentally sound installation and operation of
Base Transceiver System in
the province and proponents of all such projects are obliged to
obtain Environmental
Approval under Section 12 of PEPA 2012 prior to
commencement of project. A copy of
these regulations is attached at Annex-1.

EPA Punjab also intimated that as far as the issues faced in

monitoring and
compliance of such Telecom projects is concerned, almost all
BTS Towers in Punjab have
been installed without obtaining environmental approval in
violation of section 12 of Act
ibid and some of the proponents have obtained Environmental
Approvals after
commencement of their projects.
Environment Protection Agency Government of Balochistan
Environmt Protection Agency Government of Baluchistan, sent
a copy of the
Balochistan Environmental Protection Act 2012 and Pakistan
Environment Protection
Agency Regulations, 2000 where BTS is not covered under
schedule I; projects requiring
an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or Schedule II the
projects requiring an
Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA). Regarding difficulty in
compliance of EPA rules,
regulations and legal framework at the end of telecom
operators, Environment Protection
Agency Government Baluchistan informed that there is no
implementation of
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) during or after project
completion.
Environment Protection Agency Government of KPK
Environment Protection Agency Government of KPK informed
that under the
Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997, Schedule I &
Schedule 11 of regulations
2000, BTS Tower does not require Environmental Approval.
However, in November, 2008
the Senate Standing Committee issued instructions to the
Provincial EPAs for regulating
the BTS towers along with guidelines and since then EPA is
issuing Environmental
approval or regret the same on the basis of factual position /
situation in the Province.
Environment Protection Agency Government of KPK further
informed that,
after 18th amendment, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa promulgated their
own Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Act, 2014 and rules
regarding BTS have been
included in the new regulations, however, the same have not
yet notified.
It was also informed that the agency issued Environmental
Approvals regarding
BTS Towers at planning stage but the Agency received
applications for already installed
BTS Towers which cannot be entertained at this stage under the
law. It was also
mentioned that the Agency initiate actions against the new BTS
Towers which violate the
existing rules and suggest to adopt mitigation measures to
decrease the air / noise
pollution.
Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency
Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA) has
been establishment under section (8) of Pakistan Environmental
Protection Act, 1997. Main functions of GB-EPA are to take
measures to promote research and development of science and
technology which may contribute to the prevention of
pollution, protection of the environment, and sustainable
development; identify the needs for, and initiate legislation in
various sectors of the environment. Provide information and
guidance to the public on environmental matters; specify
safeguards for the prevention of accidents and disasters which
may cause pollution; and encourage the formation and working
of nongovernmental organizations.
Environment Protection Agency Government of Sindh
The Sindh Environment Protection Act 2014 promulgated in
March 2014 to enforce Rules and Regulation. Environment
Protection Agency Government of Sindh in Regulations 2014
included BTS in Environmental checklist as per EIA/IEE
regulation (Annex-2). A proponent of a project falling in any
category listed in Schedule-III shall file environmental checklist
with the Agency and the provisions of section 17 shall apply to
such project. It was reported that alternate source of energy
used by telecom operators is Diesel fired generators for their
business activities and that may emit NOx. carbon monoxide
(CO), hydrocarbons, and particulate matter as a source of GHG.
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA)
Islamabad
Officers of the S &D Division, visited monitoring facilities of Pak-
EPA Islamabad and discussed in detail all related issues. A
presentation was delivered by the officers of the Pakistan
Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), highlighting main
functions of Pak-EPA and legal provisions to undertake any
assignment. A visit of the labs was also conducted by the
officers. 9.8.2 Basic functions of Pak-EPA are to enforce the
PEPA-1997 Act, rules & regulations; approve Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA), Initial Environmental Examination
(IEE), issue certificates for establishment of environment labs in
the Islamabad Capital Territory. Pak-EPA is mandated to prepare
or revise, and establish the National Environmental Quality
Standards (NEQS) with approval of Pakistan Environmental
Protection Council (PEPC); take measures to promote research
and the development of science and technology which may
contribute to the prevention of pollution. Protection of the
environment, and sustainable development; identify the needs
for, and initiate legislation in various sectors of the
environment; provide information and guidance to the public
on environmental matters are also under PakEPA's jurisdiction.
The Agency may undertake inquiries or investigation into
environmental issues, either of its own accord or upon
complaint from any person or organization. 9.8.3 Pakistan
Environmental Protection Agency has established Central
Laboratory for Environmental Analysis (CLEAN) in its premises at
Islamabad. As informed by the officers of Pak-EPA, it's a JICA
funded project and it was completed before the promulgation
of the Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Hence a centralized monitoring facility, with the help of JICA
experts, was established in Islamabad connecting all major
cities of Pakistan. However, since the subject is now dealt at
provincial government level, this centralized monitoring facility
is practically non-operational. The Laboratory (CLEAN)
comprises of three sections i.e, Analytical, Field Measurement
and Sampling. CLEAN has its regular environmental
investigation 33 programmes for air, water and soil pollution.
Pak-EPA has conducted a latest research study with the
assistant of JICA experts on air pollution with emphasis on
suspended particulate matters in three major cities of the
country. CLEAN conducts regular monitoring of air in Islamabad.
9.8.4 CLEAN has the capabilities of carrying out field activities
using portable equipments viz-a-viz, high volume samplers, PH
and Turbidity Meter along with other relevant equipments for
compliance of National Environmental Quality Standards
(NEQS).
Concerns/Issues
As informed by the officers of Pak-EPA, main issues under
consideration of PakEPA are: water quality monitoring of Rawal
Lake, Simli Dam and Khan Pur Dam Water Reservoir due to
water contamination as a result of human activities in the
catchment areas of these reservoirs, identify different pollutant
affecting public health, industrial pollution, vehicle pollution,
Hospital Waste Management, construction sites and sanitation.
It was also informed that Pakistan Environment Protection
Agency Regulations, 2000 are still effective as no modification
as of to date has been made to these regulation and BTS is not
covered under schedule I, the projects requiring an Initial
Environmental Examination (IEE), or Schedule II, the projects
requiring an Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA), hence, as of
yet there is no requirement of obtaining NOC to install BTS in
Islamabad Capital Territory. However, these regulations are
under review. As far as use of renewable sources of
energy/alternate power is concerned, the matter was discussed
at length. As evident from the above discussion, demand of
operators for 24x 7 availability of reliable Grid power at
affordable prices cannot be weighed down. Moreover, fuel
quality, must be as per international standards. As backup to
grid power only Genset is a viable solution as solar power
requires large space which is a hurdle in urban areas and
battery banks have their inherent problem of 34 disposal. Only
Gensets with low or practically no carbon dioxide emission are a
viable solution, however, government needs to give incentives
for adoption of such alternate energy sources for adoption of
Environmental measures, such as Tax credits etc. Another
concern was raised by the officers of Pak-EPA on the radio
emissions and proliferation of towers and the resultant hazards
affecting human health. It was informed by PTA that exposure
standards and guidelines have been developed by various
organizations. Exposure standards and guidelines have generally
been based on exposure levels where effects considered
harmful to humans occur. Safety factors are then incorporated
to arrive at specific levels of exposure to provide sufficient
protection. Safety limits of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) are
being followed in the World. Majority of the Countries have
adopted International Commission for non-ionizing Radiation
Protection (ICNIRP) limits and standards.
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY
WHAT IS EPA? The United States Environmental Protection
Agency is an agency of the U.S. federal government which was
created for the purpose of protecting human health and the
environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws
passed by Congress. The EPA was proposed by President
Richard Nixon and began operation on December 2, 1970, after
Nixon signed an executive order. The agency is led by its
Administrator, who is appointed by the president and approved
by Congress. The current administrator is Gina McCarthy. u The
EPA has its headquarters in Washington, D.C., regional offices
for each of the agency's ten regions, and 27 laboratories. The
agency conducts environmental assessment, research, and
education. It has the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing
national standards under a variety of environmental laws, in
consultation with state, tribal, and local governments.
A BRIEF HISTORY : Beginning in the late 1950s Congress reacted
to increasing public concern about the impact that human
activity could have on the environment. A key legislative option
to address this concern was the declaration of a national
environmental policy. The statute that ultimately addressed this
issue was the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The
law was signed by President Nixon on January 1, 1970. It
declared a national policy to protect the environment and
created a Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in the
Executive Office of the President. u In 1970, President Richard
Nixon proposed an executive reorganization that would
consolidate many of the federal government's environmental
responsibilities under one agency, a new Environmental
Protection Agency. That reorganization proposal was reviewed
and passed by the House and Senate.
EPA’S PERFORMANCE FOR 2014 EPA Yearly
evaluates the success and effectiveness of its
proposals and strategies. This is then published as a
report which is accessible by the general public.
STRATEGIC GOAL 1 Addressing Climate Change and
Improving Air Quality.
ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE:Minimize the threats
posed by climate change by reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and taking actions that help to
protect human health and help communities and
ecosystems become more sustainable and resilient
to the effects of climate change.
IMPROVE AIR QUALITY:Achieve and maintain
health- and welfare-based air pollution standards
and reduce risk from toxic air pollutants and indoor
air contaminants.
RESTORE AND PROTECT THE OZONE LAYER:Restore
and protect the earth’s stratospheric ozone layer
and protect the public from the harmful effects of
ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
MINIMIZE EXPOSURE TO RADIATION:Minimize
releases of radioactive material and be prepared to
minimize exposure through response and recovery
actions should unavoidable releases occur.
STRATEGIC GOAL-2: Protecting America’s Waters
PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH:Achieve and maintain standards and
guidelines protective of human health in drinking water
supplies, fish, shellfish, and recreational waters, and protect
and sustainably manage drinking water resources. u
PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERSHEDS AND AQUATIC
ECOSYSTEMS:Protect, restore, and sustain the quality of rivers,
lakes, streams, and wetlands on a watershed basis, and
sustainably manage and protect coastal and ocean resources
and ecosystems.
STRATEGIC GOAL-3 Cleaning Up Communities And Advancing
Sustainable Development
PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AND LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES:
Support sustainable, resilient, and liveable communities by
working with local, state, tribal, and federal partners to
promote smart growth, emergency preparedness and recovery
planning, redevelopment and reuse of contaminated and
formerly contaminated sites, and the equitable distribution of
environmental benefits.
PRESERVE LAND: Conserve resources and prevent land
contamination by reducing waste generation and toxicity,
promoting proper management of waste and petroleum
products, and increasing sustainable materials management.
RESTORE LAND: Prepare for, respond to accidental or
intentional releases of contaminants, clean up, and restore
polluted sites for reuse.
STRENGTHEN HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION IN INDIAN COUNTRY:Support federally
recognized tribes to build environmental management capacity,
assess environmental conditions and measure results, and
implement environmental programs in Indian Country.
STRATEGIC GOAL-4 Ensuring The Safety of Chemicals And
Preventing Pollution
ENSURE CHEMICAL SAFETY u Reduce the risk and increase the
safety of chemicals that enter our products, our environment,
and our bodies. u
PROMOTE POLLUTION PREVENTION:Conserve and protect
natural resources by promoting pollution prevention and the
adoption of other sustainability practices by companies,
communities, governmental organizations, and individuals.
STRATEGIC GOAL-5 Protecting Human Health And The
Environment By Enforcing Laws And Ensuring Compliance u
ENFORCE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS TO ACHIEVE
COMPLIANCE:Pursue vigorous civil and criminal enforcement
that targets the most serious water, air, and chemical hazards
in communities to achieve compliance. Assure strong,
consistent, and effective enforcement of federal environmental
laws nationwide. Use Next Generation Compliance strategies
and tools to improve compliance and reduce pollution.
VISION FOR 2020 EPA's proposed budget defines EPA's program
goals for fiscal year 2020 (October 1, 2019 to September 30,
2020) and associated resource requirements. u The President's
2020 Budget is designed to bring middle class economics into
the 21st century. It shows what we can do if we INVEST in
America's future and commit to an economy that rewards hard
work, generates rising incomes, and allows everyone to share in
the prosperity of a growing America. u It lays out a strategy to
strengthen our middle class and help America's hard-working
families get ahead in a time of relentless economic and
technological change.
For the EPA, the proposed budget of $8.6 billion seeks to
further key work in addressing climate change and improving
air quality, protecting our water, safeguarding the health and
safety of the public from toxic chemicals, supporting the
environmental health of communities, and working toward a
sustainable environmental future for all Americans. u Central to
this work is supporting our state, local, and tribal partners and
working with them to deliver on our environmental and health
improvements.