KARACHI: Industries devastating Malir and Gadap areas
By Latif Baloch
KARACHI, May 11: Over a dozen villages in Malir, Gadap and Bin Qasim towns are under the constant threat of devastation because of mushroom growth of industrial units built in the surroundings of rural areas, a survey shows. These rural areas, once comprising a vast agricultural land and known as the green belt of the city, are being converted into commercial and industrial areas for the sake of quick bucks.
Previously, it was the “Reti and Bajri” mafia that devastated the green belts of Karachi which were once used as picnic resorts by the citizens. However, the situation took a devastating effect with the rapid establishment of industrial units there.
The most serious issue is that these industrial units in rural pockets are being set up without any master plan and no controlling body including the KBCA has ever issued any clearance certificate in this regard.
Thus, the whole scenario is changing rapidly in such a way that one could hardly see the lush green and fertile lands any more. What is more dangerous is that factories and industries are being set up in the proximity of villages.
The villages which are presently under the threat of being devastated are: Kohi Goth, Shafi Goth, Rehmat Bagh Goth, Haji Pir Goth, Achanak Para, Nazar Mohammad Goth, Saleh Mohammad Goth, Umar Bagh, Saeedabad, Piro Nawab Goth, Gharibabad, Baitullah Bagh, Mulla Moosa Goth, Wali Goth, Faqir Mohammad Goth, Juma Kando Goth, Punshumbe Goth, Sheedi Khan Goth, Lohani Goth, Moosa Jokio Goth, Pir Sirandi Goth and Lashari Goth.
More dangerously, the residents of these villages said that industrial effluents were being discharged into the nearby Sukkun and Malir rivers. Nevertheless, drinking water lines for the villages and discharge lines of these factories are running parallel in some places. Even toxic discharge lines of these factories are crossing the water lines, which could adversely affect human health through seepage.
The survey shows that the main agricultural areas of Bin Qasim Town start near Quaidabad. While travelling on the National Highway, one could see that a vast stretches of agriculture lands which were once there now no longer exist. And one could also see the Old PIA farms surrounded by the lush green fields have now been converted into industrial areas.
Near the Karachi Export Processing Zone roundabout on the main National Highway two big industrial concerns have been established and the residents of Shafi Goth on the highway have complained that some textile units are also discharging their effluents into the Sukkun River.
While passing Sukkun River, just at the left a big industrial unit is being constructed on eight acres and ahead on the road another industrial giant is being constructed. This project has completely encircled the Kohi village on one side and Haji Pir Village on the other.
The residents have expressed their apprehensions that this project would affect the utility services of the local population.
Just after the Kohi village, an industrial unit is being constructed on 10 acres.
The villagers fear that since they had not been issued any lease document by any government agency, there was every likelihood that they would be uprooted from their ancestral lands in the name of development.
They said Karachi City Nazim had been apprized about the situation, but so far no action had been taken.
