Govt steps up action against polluters

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has decided to take action against the dunping of domestic, industrial and hospital waste in residential areas and canals within the province.

Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) will issue notices to industries to install effluent treatment plants, and the agency will seal the units that do not comply within 30 days.

Provincial Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Ismail Rahu, while presiding over a meeting on Environment Department, directed the officers to take action and submit a monthly report.

Strict action will be taken against those who are burning garbage and creating health problems for locals.

SEPA DG Naeem Ahmed Mughal said that 200 treatment plants have been set up in Sindh's industries and about 50 more are being set up.

Out of 10,000 industries in Karachi, 4,000 treatment plants are to be set up.

Ismail Rahu further said that officers should patrol the city roads and smoke emitting vehicles should be stopped in collaboration with the traffic police.

He added hat 110 places of had been surveyed in Karachi where the Air Quality Index was 250.

Rahu said that dust from cotton factories in Ghotki and Sanghar is dangerous. Strict action has also been taken against brick kilns.

The minister ordered inviting local bodies, Water Sewerage Board, Sindh Solid Waste Management, KMC and other agencies to participate in the next meeting.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Hassan Iqbal, DG CEPA Naeem Ahmed Mughal, Director Environment Imran Ahmed and other Divisional Officers. Also, a given briefing regarding action taken according to the SEPA Act.