At present, the discharge of liquid and solid waste into rivers is killing all fish and other life forms.
LAHORE: This is a response to Rina Saeed Khan’s article “National security implications of climate change” published on December 4. I would like to draw attention to yet another environmental problem and bring to the notice of all environmental groups, the total disregard shown by industries located near rivers towards environmental pollution.
A whole range of industries from tanneries, chemicals, electronics to heavy machinery, discharge their effluents into rivers. They are ignoring the guidelines set by the local pollution control authorities regarding the discharge of liquid and solid waste into rivers.
As a concerned citizen, I visited a local effluent treatment plant. I was shocked to discover that it had been shut down due to a lack of working capital. At present, the discharge of liquid and solid waste into rivers is killing all fish and other life forms. It is also turning rivers into large sewers. Perhaps, these industries do not realise that a clean river will bring them goodwill and health for one and all. If some urgent steps are not taken, there is a fear of a disease epidemic breaking out.
Anum Abubakar
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2013.
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