KARACHI: The provincial government has decided to take action against big influential people who are dumping domestic, industrial and hospital waste in residential areas and canals in the Sindh province.
As per the decision, in the first phase, they will be served show cause notices and after 30 days, industries which do not install treatment plants will be closed and sealed, said Provincial Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Ismail Rahu while presiding over a meeting of the Environment Department. He directed the officers to take action and submit a monthly report, no matter how powerful one may be to spread environmental pollution. Strict action will be taken against those burning this type of garbage and waste causing several environmental and health problems.
In a briefing to minister Rahu, DG SEPA Naeem Ahmed Mughal said that 200 treatment plants had been set up in Sindh’s industries and about 50 more were being set up. Out of 10,000 industries in Karachi, 4,000 treatment plants would be set up.
Rahu said that officers should patrol the city roads and smoke-emitting vehicles should be stopped in collaboration with the traffic police. He said that 110 places of Air Quality Index had been surveyed in Karachi, in which Air Quality Index of 250 has been recorded in Karachi, which is quite dangerous. The dust spreading around the main highways of urban areas also spread the disease, the meeting was told.
Rahu said that dust from cotton factories in Ghotki and Sanghar is dangerous, therefore, warning has been issued to them, adding warning had been issued to 36 rice mills blowing dust outside Larkana and other cities.
Strict action has also been taken against brick kilns. Rahu directed to invite local bodies, Water Sewerage Board, Sindh Solid Waste Management, KMC and other agencies to participate in the next meeting.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Hassan Iqbal, DG CEPA Naeem Ahmed Mughal, Director Environment Imran Ahmed and other Divisional Officers also given briefing regarding action taken according to SEPA Act.