February 26, 2004

The streets of Karachi have an omnipresent feature that is so disgusting in nature. This bitter characteristic is the presence of heaps of garbage that can be found on all thoroughfare and open spaces. Are we a nation that likes to decorate our streets with waste? If we survey the dumps throughout the metropolis one is bound to agree with this assumption.

The question arises: does the city have in place a proper waste treatment system? This does not seem to be the case as trucks can be seen collecting refuse only in a few areas. Despite all the things that are said, the mode of collection of garbage is faulty as is the way waste is treated in this country.

Once garbage is collected, prior to its disposal into landfills, components which can recycled, like glass and metal pieces, should be removed and only the organic waste should be used to makes compost. In this regard, old tires and polythene bags are a major problem as they can neither be part of the landfill nor can they be burned.

The collection of waste materials is made difficult by the presence of garbage collectors known as scavengers, a majority of whom are Afghan children. These children pick any items like paper and packing material from the dumps and in the process disperse the garbage. Although this is a profession for otherwise unemployed people, it must nonetheless be eradicated as it is a nuisance. In this situation the municipal trucks have a harder time in collecting refuse.

The way the municipal workers are dressed and equipped is really tragic. Since they themselves are covered in filth. Instead they should be given uniforms and be clean at all times. The workers are equipped with just brooms and they should be given gloves to wear and proper gear for cleaning roadsides. Municipal authorities should be sensitive to the fact that these men should be working in humane conditions.

Those in the municipality are undoubtedly responsible for the poor state of affairs but some of that blame should be shouldered by citizens, especially home owners and shopkeepers. They behave irresponsibly in that they take out the garbage and instead of dumping it into specified areas they throw it onto streets and open spaces.

The huge dumps of garbage are a health hazard. The heaps just lie there and a number of animals like crows, houseflys, rats, stray dogs and cats eat the refuse. This indeed helps in getting rid a lot ofthe quantity but is no solution. All these animals are liable to spread disease, some of which could cause harmful epemics.

How can we educate our masses into bringing about a cleaner environment? According to our religion, a lot of emphasis is made on cleanliness but that virtue is lost on most of our citizens. Therefore some other kind of education is required. Perhaps one option to consider is a programme with media involvement whereby on television, radio and newspaper advertisements short snippets are shown highlighting the importance of proper disposal of garbage.

At the government level, there should be more funds allocated for garbage disposal systems and setting up of industries to recycle waste. It can also provide better facilities to municipal authorities.

There is good news in this respect as there are NGOs working in using recycled products and helping in the elimination of polythene bags. The presence of raddi paper walas is also a good scenario as these people are involved in a small scale recycling industry.

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