Sea becomes dumping site for industrial waste

KARACHI - The sea water of the metropolitan is considered to be the worst affected part of the country because of the discharge of
industrial waste from Korangi, Landhi, and Karachi Export Processing Zone. The experts have showed concern over such alarming
situation, while the authorities concerned still failed to control this situation, The Nation learnt on Monday.
According to the survey conducted by The Nation, in the Korangi industrial areas; 2,500 industrial units including 170 tanneries dispose
untreated waste into the sea.
A continuous flow of water with animal dung from Bhains Colony is another source of pollution. Oil discharge in the Port Qasim area as a
result of shipping activities also affect marine communities, while large oil spills have been observed in the region that disrupt fishing
activity, paralyse economic activity and eventually impact the local fishing community.
The survey showed that untreated waste and sewage from factories are drained into the sea as well as oil spills from ships and fishing
trawlers transiting the port.
“City District Government Karachi (CDGK) is among the biggest cause of polluting the sea by throwing three tones waste on daily basis,
which not only deprive the fishermen from their livelihood, but also destroy the mangrove and marine life,� said Mohammad Ali Shah,
chairperson of Pakistan Fisher folk Forum (PFF).
Shah said that despite of establishing various agencies against water pollution, so far no serious initiative had been taken in this regard.
Meanwhile, the Karachi coastline’s growing pollution level, which is tied to the increasing volume of trade via the shipping industry
through the Karachi Port, is severely contaminating the mangrove forests and marine life in the area.
Karachi Port handles the majority of the country’s sea-borne trade while the surrounding areas of Karachi accounts for half of the
government’s revenues and contributes 20 per cent of Pakistan’s GDP.
Some experts said that some of the marine life was contaminated with lead, which if consumed by humans through seafood, has been
linked to anaemia, kidney failure, and brain damage.
The study also discovered that even the mangrove forests protecting the feeder creeks from sea erosion as well as a source of
sustenance for fishermen are threatened by this pollution.