March 12, 2006	Sunday	Safar 11, 1427

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BADIN, March 11: Highly toxic run-off from plastic factories, illegal cattle pens, slaughterhouses and sewage water released into the Phuleli canal as it passes through Hyderabad, have put in jeopardy lives of more than a million people, says a survey.

People in Hyderabad, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan and Matli, towns which lie along the banks of Phuleli, are exposed to greater danger because they use this toxic water for drinking.

The survey carried out by a team of journalists from Badin on Saturday found several plastic factories release their effluent into the canal.

HDA, various industries, cattle pens and slaughterhouses situated between RD-4 and

RD-38 in Hyderabad, throw tonnes of solid and fluid waste into the canal.

Survey says two plastic factories located between RD-22 and 27 in Laloo Lashari and Khursheed Town drain out their garbage and run-off into the canal.

At RD-27, some people clean solid waste from floor mills on encroached land on the canal, which is not only telling upon their health but is also polluting water.

A meeting held recently of Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) decided to apprise nazims of the gravity of situation, in a bid to prevent hazard to lives, and Phuleli from further contamination.

In another meeting of executive engineers and growers, district naib nazim said he would draw chief minister’s attention towards the danger to precious lives.