KARACHI: All major industrial areas to have treatment plants
KARACHI, Jan 5: The Sindh government is planning to install effluent treatment plants in all major industrial areas of Karachi. The first such plant being installed in the Korangi Industrial Area is nearing completion.
This was stated by Secretary Environment and Alternate Energy Dr Shams-ul-Haq Memon while speaking at a seminar on Ways to Beautify Karachi here on Thursday. It was organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation.
Dr Memon said the government was working meticulously to develop a solid-waste management system for the metropolis in order to prevent dangerous industrial wastage getting into the sea through drains.
“It is the government’s responsibility to provide a clean environment to people,” he said, adding that there was an urgent need for developing civic sense in public.
Criticizing the routine ethos, like causing damage to traffic signals, resorting to graffiti, throwing garbage in streets and on roads, etc, he said that such practices caused problems to other people and undermine the city’s beauty.
He pointed out that the environment department was working on the idea to replace polythene bags with some suitable hand-carries. This, he said, would help prevent clogging of sewerage lines.
Chairperson of the Heritage Foundation Ms Yasmin Lari said that cleaning of historical monuments was inevitable to make the metropolis beautiful. She said that in the old days, Karachi wore an orderly look, but changing priorities for development undermined the city’s shape.
Chairman of the Architecture & Planning Department, NED University, Prof Dr Noman Ahmed pointed out that the city possessed only four per cent of the land meant for parks as against 10 per cent in developed countries.
He also observed a mushroom growth of billboards due to rising tide of consumerism. He called for a law to put a check on ugly looking billboards.
Executive Member of Shehri Citizens for Better Environment Farhan Anwar called for a master plan for Karachi. He said tat any beautification scheme for Karachi must be planned keep in view the aspect of sustainability of related projects and their long-term benefits.
Chairperson of the Events Committee of Karavan Pakistan Ms Shehnaz Ramzi and Director of the PPF Ms Samina Ishaque also spoke at the seminar.—PPI
