SUKKUR is located on the western bank of the Indus. It is the 12th most populous city of Pakistan, and the third largest city of Sindh. I have been living here since my birth 21 years ago.

Sukkur has scores of environmental issues, including water, air and noise pollution, besides deforestation.

Contaminated water is being used by the people. This water comes from the Indus without being treated for consumption. The pollution of the river water is because of toxic substances released from industries. Another factor involved in polluting the water is use of hazardous chemicals by fishermen to maximise their catch.

Also, air pollution is found in abundance in Sukkur. Ignorant people play a major role in polluting the environment. They frequently burn heaps of garbage in residential areas, as a result of which toxic gasses are released in the atmosphere.

Trees are being felled daily, causing deforestation, inviting many problems like flooding and carbon gases from factories.

The government should impose a ban on deforestation and people should be educated about the importance of forest. Also, the government must set up a water plant to purify the water of the Indus before supplying it to the city.

Syed Waqas Ali Naqvi

Sukkur

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2017