Key Takeaways
- Satellite images show Rawal Lake has lost nearly 50% of its tree cover over the past two decades.
- The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency found hazardous waste along the lake’s shores during a cleanup drive.
- Experts link pollution to increased human activity and deforestation in the area.
Rawal Lake, a popular recreational spot in Islamabad, has seen a significant decline in its tree cover over the past two decades. According to satellite images released by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the park site has lost nearly half of its tree cover since 2004.
The stark contrast between the densely vegetated Lake View Point in 2004 and the area’s current state, marked by extensive human activity, highlights the environmental cost of unplanned urban expansion. The images also reveal a change in the dam's water color, from greenish to darker shades over two decades.
Environmentalists suggest that the darker hue could be due to algae growth or increased pollution. Dr Zaigham Abbas, Director of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), confirmed that large volumes of sewage have been flowing into Rawal Dam for years, contributing significantly to the lake’s deteriorating condition.
During a recent cleanup drive in June, Pak-EPA teams discovered hazardous materials such as discarded syringes and plastic items along the lake's shores. Dr Abbas emphasized that pollution is a serious threat to the lake’s ecosystem and called for immediate action.
The situation has been exacerbated by commercialization efforts over the past two decades. Numerous recreational facilities have been established, including barbecue points, Formula Karting tracks, golf clubs, horse riding areas, food streets, paintball battlefields, and children's play zones. These developments have led to increased human activity in the area.
According to Global Forest Watch (GFW), an initiative of the World Resources Institute (WRI), Islamabad lost 14 hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2025, resulting in 6.0 kilotonnes of carbon emissions. The data indicates that deforestation was the primary driver for this loss, with settlements and infrastructure accounting for 4 hectares each.
A senior official from the Ministry of Climate Change described Islamabad’s situation as a violation of ecological justice. 'The polluted water of Rawal Lake impacts the health of surrounding fauna and flora,' the official stated. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has not commented on these issues, despite repeated attempts to reach out for comment.
In response to the environmental crisis, Pak-EPA plans to plant 500,000 seed balls across various locations in Islamabad, including areas surrounding Rawal Lake. This initiative is part of their larger plan during the monsoon season.
'Islamabad’s crisis is not merely a failure in urban planning but a violation of ecological justice and fundamental rights.'
A senior official in the Ministry of Climate Change, Climate Change Official
'There was no question that pollution was entering the lake,' said Dr Zaigham Abbas, Director of Pak-EPA.
Dr Zaigham Abbas, Director, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency
