KARACHI, Sept 24: The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) was the worst victim of damages caused by the oil spillage from the grounded oil tanker Tasman Spirit.

This was stated by DHA Administrator Brig Maqsood Hussain while briefing newsmen at a luncheon hosted by him here on Wednesday.

He said that the oil spillage caused damage to the beach, environment, marine life, mangroves and above all the human health.

Brig Maqsood apprised the newsmen of various measures, including the massive clean up operation of the beach with a vision and commitment on scientific lines, taken by the DHA to combat the calamity. He elaborated that the ongoing operation included employment of bio-remediation technology that envisioned use of oil eating bacteria to remove the oil slick and contaminated oil-soaked sand.

The entire beach was being cleaned, renovated and refurbished according to a well planned strategy, he said and expressed hope that the lights and glories of Clifton beach would soon return. However, he said that the DHA would not take the risk of opening the beach until it was cleared of all environmental hazards and pollution caused due to the spread of crude oil.

He said that the beach would be opened for general public in another three months depending upon the progress of the ongoing work.

On the occasion, Brig Maqsood drew the attention of media towards the menace of incessant environmental degradation being caused by the flow of untreated chemical effluent from the tanneries of Korangi Industrial Area into the Gizri Creek.

He stressed the need for removing the snags in making the sewerage treatment plant operational, which was being unnecessary delayed due to lack of support and contribution by tannery associations.

He urged media to play its role and exert pressure on industrialists to adopt environmental safety methods in disposal of industrial wastes as per the contemporary law by raising the environmental issues in their newspapers.

The DHA administrator reiterated that the uplift and refurbishment of decaying civic infrastructure of the old phases of Defence would soon be started at an estimated cost of Rs1.2 billion to provide the residents best civic and living environments.

On the occasion, the DHA Environmental Engineer, Ghazala Aftab, illustrated the strategic measures taken by the authority to provide pollution free, aesthetically vibrant environment to the area residents.—APP