THE Malir river is a blessing for people living in Darsana Channa, one of the outskirts of Gadap Town, Malir, and Karachi. After the annual rainfall, local farmers store water of the Malir river in their small reservoirs for irrigation. They also use groundwater extracted from tube wells or bore wells for irrigation and drinking.

Unfortunately, animal dung from cattle and dairy farms established at Superhighway is being dumped into the river at Dumlottee number three near Murad Memon Goth. This has been going on for the last few years. Owing to this, tube well or bore water of many villages has become contaminated and undrinkable. It is believed that this is one of the major causes of liver diseases among people in the area.

The authorities concerned should pay attention to this issue to protect the Malir river and ensure clean and safe tube well water for drinking and irrigation.

Syed Haseeb Ali Shah
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2020