KARACHI, Aug 25: The city naib nazim, Nasreen Jalil, said that marine life in Karachi was threatened due to discharge of toxic waste into the sea by industries. She said this at a meeting of the environmental committee of the city government at her office here on Friday. Ms Jalil urged the industries to discharge waste into the sea after proper recycling instead of throwing in its actual shape, so that seawater pollution could be controlled.

The meeting decided to organise a one-day seminar/workshop in this context, to be held in September under the auspices of the environmental committee of the city government and the Decentralisation Support Programme.

The suggestions regarding controlling and alleviation of marine pollution would be discussed in the seminar/workshop in question.

Ms Jalil was of the view that such a campaign was need of the hour for the elimination of environmental pollution and creating awareness among masses.

“Not only traffic mess or other anti-environmental elements are causing environmental pollution but contaminated industrial garbage too is increasing pollution into the sea”, she observed.

The city naib nazim said that population of the city had exceeded 15 million; adding hundreds of people were daily visiting several recreational spots at the beach spread over 12km. She said this was also one of the factors contributing towards marine pollution.

Two treatment plants already exist in the city; she said adding that City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal had apprised President Musharraf about the need for more treatment plants in the metropolis. The president, on this, had promised to provide Rs7 billion in this connection, she informed.

Ms Jalil said laws regarding disposal of industrial waste into the sea existed but unfortunately were not being implemented.

“There are some apartments in Defence and Clifton areas, whose waste is directly being thrown into the sea without any recycling”, she pointed out, adding that due to which people visiting the beach were suffering from different diseases.

She assured the meeting that the city government would take all measures to carry out the campaign against pollution in an effective manner. Ms Jalil also called upon the citizens to cooperate with the city government in this regard and refrain from throwing garbage in the sea or at the beach

Chairman of the environmental committee Mohammad Siddique, committee members Mohammad Hanif, Abdul Waseh, Mobin Khan and DO (Environment) Syed Shakeeb were also present.—PPI