KARACHI:
Rivers are among Pakistan’s most valuable natural resources, yet many of them are increasingly being treated as dumping grounds. Plastic bags, household waste, sewage and other pollutants are finding their way into rivers and streams, threatening aquatic life and the quality of water on which communities depend.
Polluted rivers can affect public health, agriculture and local livelihoods. Fish and other aquatic organisms are particularly vulnerable to contaminated water, while plastic waste can damage river ecosystems for years.
The situation reflects both weak waste-management systems and a lack of public awareness. Throwing rubbish into a river may seem like a small act, but when thousands of people do the same, the consequences become serious.
Authorities should improve waste collection near waterways, prevent untreated sewage from entering rivers and strictly enforce environmental regulations. Schools and local communities can also play an important role in creating awareness about keeping water sources clean. Our rivers are not garbage bins. They are living ecosystems and an essential part of our future. Protecting them should not be an occasional campaign; it should become a permanent public responsibility.
Zia Ud Din
Charsadda
