A clean-up campaign at Rawal Lake on World Environment Day exposed serious pollution concerns after volunteers discovered hazardous waste, including discarded syringes, hospital materials, and large quantities of plastic litter along the shoreline.
The initiative was led by the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) in collaboration with Nestle and hosted by the Punjab government’s Small Dams Department as part of Environment Week activities. Officials said the findings highlighted the growing environmental pressures facing one of the capital’s most important water reservoirs.
Rawal Lake serves as a key source of water for residents while also functioning as a popular recreational destination. The discovery of medical waste and plastic pollution has raised concerns about potential risks to public health, aquatic ecosystems, and surrounding natural habitats.
The clean-up drive brought together volunteers, students from schools and universities, civil society organizations, and local community members. Participants collected large amounts of waste from the shoreline and nearby areas while raising awareness about the importance of responsible waste disposal.
Officials noted that the campaign was designed not only to remove litter but also to highlight the dangers posed by improper medical waste management and increasing plastic contamination in freshwater bodies. Pak-EPA stated that repeated incidents of littering and pollution have made such interventions necessary to protect both the environment and public health.
Syed Abrar Hussain, who led the event, said the presence of hospital waste and plastics in the lake should serve as a wake-up call. Meanwhile, Sherry Rehman warned that Pakistan’s environmental crisis is already affecting public health, water security, food systems, and economic stability, emphasizing the need for urgent and sustained action.
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