Karachi's coast chokes on toxic waste

Untreated animal waste, medical debris pouring into the sea threaten marine life, fishermen's livelihoods, public hea

KARACHI:

The coastal waters of Karachi's Lath Basti have descended into alarming levels of pollution, as thousands of tons of untreated animal waste and hazardous medical debris are being discharged into the sea daily, posing a severe threat to marine ecosystems and human health.

According to local fishermen, nearly 1,600 livestock enclosures in the Bhains Colony area are releasing massive quantities of dung directly into the sea without any treatment. Alongside this, discarded syringes, injection bottles, and other medical waste used in livestock treatment are also being swept into the waters, worsening the environmental crisis.

The pollution is no longer confined to Lath Basti alone. Adjacent coastal areas - including Chashma Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, and Rehri Goth - are now heavily affected, with contamination spreading across the shoreline.

Fishermen warn that this toxic mix is devastating marine life and endangering those who depend on the sea for survival. Handling contaminated waste during fishing activities exposes them to serious health risks, including hepatitis and other infectious diseases.

Residents recall that just two decades ago, the waters of Lath Basti were crystal clear, with abundant fish easily caught near the shore. Today, however, overfishing is no longer the concern - marine life itself has retreated. Fishermen say they must now travel miles offshore, often returning empty-handed.

Local political and social leader Sardar Aziz Daud Jatt criticised flawed policies that allow unchecked disposal of waste from Bhains Colony into the sea, stating that the contamination has engulfed multiple coastal settlements.