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April 8, 2004
Vanishing landscapes
One of the largest fishing villages along the Karachi coastline is witnessing the discharge of industrial and urban waste, which is taking its toll on marine life, while the mangrove forests are also rapidly dwindling, writes Jan Khaskheli
Mangrove trees are visible from the dilapidated road leading from the Korangi Fish Harbour to Rehri. Rehri is a village of 35,000 inhabitants and is the second largest village on the Karachi coast. For 95 per cent of its inhabitants, fishing is the only source of livelihood. The villagers own about 1,000 small and large fishing boats.
Fish workers sit in groups and are busy looking at their fishing tools, engaged in making and mending fishing nets and taking care of boat engines.
The landing sites along the sea provide these people with areas on the coast to carry out their fishing activities. At Rehri, the establishment has chosen the seashore to discharge industrial and urban waste, affecting not only the beach, but also the mangroves that are breeding places for many fish species.
“We have unanimously passed several resolutions in the union council meetings, and sent the same to the authorities concerned, including the city government nazim, but the authorities are reluctant to take action against those responsible,” said Shafi Moosani, Rehri union council nazim.
Moosani added: “We do not have sufficient funds for development, hence we are unable to address all the problems of the community.”
Ashiq Ali Jamot, nazim of Bin Qasim Town, while giving his reaction said: “We have written a number of letters to City Nazim Naimatullah Khan to take action against waste being discharged into the sea near Bin Qasim Town areas, but the officials are seen ignoring the problem.
“Besides, I have taken the issue of ‘increasing marine pollution’ into the meetings of our Advisory Committee of which all town nazims, city nazim, the EDO and town officers are members but it was all in vain and it seems as if nothing has happened.”
He added: “Not only this, city government officials have chosen the coastal areas to dump entire city solid waste where several trucks are being off loaded daily and we are receiving complaints of increasing skin diseases, eye infection and other problems frequently.”
Jamot further revealed that the town has received a letter, which says that a treatment plant may be installed soon and in this regard a survey has been started near Lat Basti, UC Rehri but he said: “We are not hopeful about certain decisions.”
Despite several attempts to contact Mr Naimatullah Khan, TR was unable to speak to him to gauge his views on this problem.
Landhi and Korangi industrial zones’ effluent is discharged into the sea in an area that is in this union council’s jurisdiction. Together with this 700 million gallons of sewerage are discharged into the sea from Cattle Colony, Landhi.
Akhtar Shaikh, a councillor of the Rehri union council, said: “Pollution is a major problem which has caused the destruction of the mangrove forests.” He added: “Rates of every essential commodity are on the rise. Fishermen cannot afford to buy flour for Rs18 per kilogram. Unfortunately the rates of shrimps and other fish species are declining day by day. Most of the people here live below the poverty line.”
Sakina, a fisherwoman, said: “We used to catch fish from the seashore in the past but the seashore is highly polluted now. This is why the fishermen have to travel hundreds of miles towards the open sea in search of their livelihood. They risk their lives and stay there for weeks to catch fish.”
Environment reports reveal that overgrazing by camels and use of mangrove for fuel and fodder has resulted in their growth being stunted in many areas. But since a non-governmental organization intervened for the rehabilitation of mangrove forests, the village people have become interested in cultivating their plantations. Women bring mangrove leaves by boat from nearby forests and sell them.
Heaps of garbage can be seen everywhere in the village streets. Due to inadequate health and sanitation facilities waterborne diseases are common. There is a government dispensary where one doctor comes daily for a few hours, but it is ineffective as there are no medicines and other necessary equipment. The villagers go to private clinics for treatment. In the case of an emergency people go to city hospitals. During an emergency at night they have to hire a rented vehicle which costs Rs500 to Rs700 for a trip to the hospital.
Dabla and Pan Colony are the poorest parts of Rehri that do not have potable water nor a sanitation system. Ahmed Dablo, 50, a senior fisherman, said: “The sea level is far above the ground, hence people are unable to solve the issue of sanitation. We face problems twice a month during the high tide. The rainy season creates major problems for the community. Only now has the union council Rehri approved a scheme to build a six-pit-latrine in the village which was demanded earlier by the community.”
Hasan Dablo, 46, a fisherman, said: “These mangroves provide us with food, fuel and fodder for our animals. We are aware of the importance of these trees. Our children would not even think of destroying them. We are traditional custodians of these waters and its creatures.”
Baboo Siddique, a local activist said: “Girls’ literacy rate in the villages is unsatisfactory. Only a few girls from Rehri, Chashma, Ali Brohi Goth, Lat Basti and Bakhtawar Goth have successfully passed their matriculation examinations.”
Children can be seen swimming at the beach and going to the nearby mangrove to catch crabs. They sell these to local traders at the landing sites and each boy earns between Rs50 to Rs300 daily.
This beach needs proper care by the government and those NGOs interested in protecting the environment and the marine ecology.
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