DADU, Nov 30: Marine pollution was affecting fish species and other organisms in the sea and the Sindh government was taking steps to control pollution in the province.

This was stated by Sindh Minister for Environment and Alternative Energy Sagheer Ahmed Siddiqui while talking to newsmen here on Thursday.

He said that to control industrial pollution in Karachi, industrialists were being asked to install filter plants in their units.

To a query, he admitted that due to release of RBOD water into the Manchhar Lake, different species of fish, birds were being wiped out.

However, he claimed that his department had taken notice and was protecting these species by taking a number of steps in this regard.

He said that saline water would be diverted towards the sea after construction of RBOD and urgent measures would be taken to control environmental pollution in the Manchhar Lake.

He said that owing to chopping of trees in different parts of the province, pollution was increasing hence directives were issued to inspectors of the department to take action against such elements.

He said that oil and gas exploring companies and industries were bound to take measure for protecting environment in the areas.

He said that main responsibility of the department was to work on solid waste, water and sewerage in the towns and to control dengue virus etc., and other different type of pollutions.

He said that students should be taught environment and alternative energy subject from primary classes and such a proposal was sent to the government. He said that owing to shortage of staff, 10 posts of inspectors were created in Sukkur, Hyderabad and Larkana ranges and interviews were also held.