KARACHI, Nov 17: The Sindh Environment Protection Agency in its drive to make industries and public sector organizations compliant to environment concerns is likely to seal five tanneries and four sugar mills after Eidul Fitr holidays.
The action against these tanneries, located in Korangi, would be taken for non-payment of dues to under-construction effluent treatment plant there despite repeated warnings issued by the EPA. These tanneries have also failed to meet environment concerns like many other tanneries in the area.
Chief Minister's Adviser on Environment and Alternative Energy, Mohammad Noman Saigol, hinted this decision during a recent meeting with the officers of EPA, official sources said.
Out of total 170 tanneries in Korangi, eighty five had not paid even a single penny for construction of the treatment plant. About 70 per cent of the project had already been executed, however, the work was suspended for want of funds.
Around one dozen tanneries have recently shown their willingness to contribute to this project, but, that had been linked to the acceptance of their proposals given to the federal government, they said.
Five tanneries and four sugar mills would be asked to stop their operations after Eidul Fitr, the adviser said, as these were the worst contributors towards environment degradation and creating serious health problems because of water and air pollution. The sugar mills are located in various areas of interior of Sindh.
Besides, these establishments have totally ignored repeated notices from the EPA suggesting to take remedial measures aimed at meeting the environmental concerns. Fifty per cent of Korangi's tanneries had also denied entry of senior EPA officers who wanted to see whether there was any improvement related to environment.
The adviser told the meeting that the federal government was ready to give Rs106 million to the Pakistan Tanneries Association for the purpose and the work on this project could be carried forward only if 85 tanneries would give their dues.
On his directives, the EPA officials along with Karachi Water and Sewerage Board's staff have started inspecting the drainage system with the help of the map to identify the defective supply lines which contaminate potable water that often results in epidemics in the city.
The environment tribunal would also start functioning soon. This would help implement the environmental safety laws through challans of those responsible for environment degradation and creating unhygienic conditions.
Four deputy district attorneys had also been hired from the law department for the very purpose and chairman of the tribunal had already been appointed. EPA officers said that medical record had been called from Sindh Employees Social Security Institution's hospital, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital Karachi and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital to see the ratio of casualties occurred because of water and air pollution.
So far SESSI record was received, which showed that most of the deaths resulted due to contaminated water. Mr Saigol also hinted legal action against the water tankers mafia who were supplying unhygienic water causing serious health problems for people.
The chief minister is also concerned towards environment challenges especially in the wake of WTO and he had offered all support to Noman Saigol in his mission. EPA authorities have started interaction with the representatives of chambers and other trade bodies so that industries could be made WTO compliant at the earliest besides meeting social responsibilities within the country. -APP