Skip to content
All projects
Community Development, Research and Advocacy, Access to JusticeOngoing

Canal Water and Environmental Accountability

HRPF brought canal-pollution concerns before environmental authorities and the Provincial Ombudsman, seeking enforcement and departmental follow-up.

Mandi Bahauddin, PunjabEnvironmental advocacy recorded in 2022–2024Communities relying on local canals and a healthy environment

In pictures

Preview frame from HRPF’s canal-pollution advocacy video
1 / 3

About this project

HRPF brought canal-pollution concerns before environmental authorities and the Provincial Ombudsman, seeking enforcement and departmental follow-up.

The challenge

Reported sewage and poultry-waste discharge threatened the condition of fresh canal water and the surrounding environment.

Our approach

HRPF gathered information, approached the responsible departments and presented documentary evidence during Ombudsman proceedings.

What we aim to achieve

  • Seek enforcement and departmental accountability for canal pollution.

What we do

  • Reported pollution concerns to environmental and other relevant departments.
  • Presented supporting documents during Ombudsman proceedings.
  • Sought enforcement and follow-up reports.
  • Shared a public video appeal seeking environmental-authority attention to reported canal pollution and unsafe waste disposal.
  • Followed inspection, departmental notices and interdepartmental coordination concerning reported pollution.

Results and lasting change

  • Show-cause notices and referrals for environmental proceedings were recorded.
  • Ombudsman directions called for departmental action and a follow-up report.
  • Long-term water-quality improvement is not measured in the available record.

From plans to progress

Project timeline

  1. 31 May 2022

    Environmental department response

    The Environmental Protection Agency recorded inspection and departmental proceedings concerning canal pollution.

  2. 25 November 2023

    Further pollution representation

    HRPF raised reported sewage and poultry-waste disposal concerns with the provincial environmental authorities.