A LIQUEFIED Natural Gas (LNG) terminal has been planned to be established near the Churna island in the Arabian Sea. All field and paper work has been completed in this regard.

However, environmental organisations and Mubarak village fishermen have reservations about this project. They fear it is an environment-damaging project, which will harm marine life.

There are many rare species of whales, turtles and dolphins near the Churna island. They will be affected after the completion of the LNG terminal. It will also create negative impact on fish, crab and lobster.

The village is home to thousands of people whose only source of living is fishing. The LNG terminal will diminish the fish stock, thus hurting the livelihood of local fishermen. The project should be abandoned and shifted to some other location.

Sarfraz Haroon

Mubarak village, Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2017