Karachi: The city’s environmental crisis, characterized by pollution, deforestation, and illegal encroachments, necessitates urgent intervention, as highlighted in a recent meeting between the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH) and Dost Muhammad Rahimoon, Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development.
According to National Forum of Health and Environment, their delegation, including President M. Naeem Qureshi, Vice President Engr. Nadeem Ashraf, and Information Secretary Mustafa Tahir, met with Minister Rahimoon to discuss the escalating environmental issues in Karachi. The delegation stressed the immediate need for massive tree plantation drives and stringent laws to deter environmental degradation.
Karachi, producing about 12,000 tons of solid waste daily, faces significant challenges in waste management, with a considerable amount of waste uncollected and improperly disposed of. This contributes to severe pollution levels across the city. Additionally, the city suffers from a drastic reduction in green cover, now less than 2% of its total area, starkly below the World Health Organization’s urban green cover recommendation of 10%.
The environmental issues extend to the water bodies, with about 472 million gallons of untreated sewage annually discharged into Karachi’s coastal waters, affecting marine life and beach conditions. Similar pollution issues affect the Indus River, critical for millions, where untreated industrial effluents and municipal waste compromise water quality and biodiversity.
Minister Rahimoon acknowledged the pressing nature of these issues, committing to collaborative efforts with NFEH to enhance environmental conditions and raise public awareness. Both parties agreed on initiating joint campaigns to educate the populace about environmental protection and sustainable practices.
The meeting concluded with Minister Rahimoon accepting an invitation to attend as Chief Guest at the upcoming 21st Annual Environment Excellence Awards and Conference 2024, emphasizing the government’s dedication to environmental issues. The joint call to action aims to galvanize Karachi’s residents towards making their city greener and more sustainable, emphasizing the critical role of community involvement and adherence to environmental regulations in overcoming these challenges.