KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday directed the city mayor, director general of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) and others to file their respective comments on a constitutional petition seeking imposition of ban on disposal, burning or smouldering of solid waste and garbage in Malir River or on its banks at Korangi Causeway.

The petition was filed by Yasir Khurshid and 41 other residents of Air Force Officers Housing Society (AFOHS), Dadabhai Town, Mehmoodabad, Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment and others who impleaded the chief secretary, city mayor, inspector general of police, SSWMB, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, Cantonment Board Faisal, District Municipal Committee Korangi and DMC East as respondents.

The petitioners, represented by Advocate Zubair Ahmed Abro, challenged the dumping and disposal through open burning/smouldering of hazardous, hospital, industrial and municipal solid waste in Malir River at Korangi Causeway resulting in adverse environmental, security and health impacts on the residents of the area, including the petitioners.

They submitted in their petition that 12,000-plus tons of solid waste was being produced every day in the city and despite such huge load, the city had no garbage transfer stations (GTSs).

The petitioners stated that 7,000-plus tons solid waste was being dumped in nullahs (drains) every day, which ended up in the sea or was burnt openly.

They said that open burning of garbage released several hazardous pollutants.

The petitioners said that the impact and velocity of the dumping and open burning of solid waste in Malir River at Korangi Causeway could be judged from the Google images from year 2005 to 2017.

They submitted that the acts of the respondents put life of the petitioners and other residents in great danger of respiratory diseases, especially children who were most susceptible.

The petitioners said the most alarming fact is the effect of air pollution through open burning of solid waste on infants and children residing in the area.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2017