A strange blessing: Natural sweepers of a dirty city
The scavengers gather at the butcher's shop within minutes to clean up the waste
They [black kites] local ‘jihadi’ outfits are cleaner and work more than a sweeper could do. These are natural scavengers," Sindh Wildlife Department conservator Javed Ahmed Mahar PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
While disease and infections remain on the rise in Karachi due to lack of sanitation and hygiene, the blooming population of black kites is yet another horror of the dirty city.
The black kites, locally known as 'cheels', are increasing in number with each passing day. They are ugly indicators of how the largest city of the country lacks a sense of hygiene and is left at the mercy of nature.
The highest number of these birds can be seen at Ibrahim Haidery. While they mark a sounding presence throughout the year in the area, the count increases particularly in winters.
The scavengers are seen perched on walls, roads, electricity polls, open spaces and trees all day. However, the fearful scene is before sunset. Commuters on the main road feel a sense of horror when passing through the location with these large birds hovering over their heads.
"The number is increasing each year," said a resident, Muhammad Anwer. "These birds eat fish thrown on roads and streets, and stay near fishmeal factories."
A visitor can hardly pass the area without getting nausea due to the pungent smell. Despite that, many residents of Korangi and other areas still like to visit the nearby beach.
According to Nadeem Mirbahar, the natural resources management coordinator of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, we should be thankful to the birds as they eat the unhygienic waste which is left unattended otherwise. "It is a clear indicator of how much waste the city generates daily and what kinds of waste collection measures are being taken."
Environmentalists believe it is also a failure of humans who do not care to keep the environment clean. "The major population [of these birds] is seen in Ibrahim Haidery and it is all because of the trash fish left in the open."
The black kites not only clean Ibrahim Haidery of fish trash but also help people across the city. Dozens of these birds reach within minutes in an area where dead waste is thrown, such as places outside the butcher's shop.
"The sweeper demands money for collecting the waste but these birds take it away without any money and help me to keep the area free of unwanted waste," said Asghar Ali, a shopkeeper who sells broiler chicken. He told The Express Tribune how most of the shopkeepers throw their waste outside the shop for these birds.
While the population of the black kite is increasing in Karachi, the bird is not considered harmful to humans. Wildlife experts point out that the number of these birds indicates the favourable condition provided for their sustenance.
"The population is increasing in urban areas due to suitable conditions," said Mirbahar, adding that no institution has ever conducted research on the role of these birds.
According to experts, black kites play a positive role in cities like Karachi where no proper waste management system exists.
"These birds are a blessing for the Karachiites," said Javed Ahmed Mahar, the conservator of Sindh Wildlife Department. "The increasing number of these birds also indicates how a common man is not concerned about his own environment."
Mahar was of the view that the black kites have played a vital role in Karachi. "They are cleaner and work more than a sweeper could do," he said. "These are natural scavengers."
Instead of blaming the failure of the government, Mahar said the waste thrown in open places points out a lack of civic sense among the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2015.
While disease and infections remain on the rise in Karachi due to lack of sanitation and hygiene, the blooming population of black kites is yet another horror of the dirty city.
The black kites, locally known as 'cheels', are increasing in number with each passing day. They are ugly indicators of how the largest city of the country lacks a sense of hygiene and is left at the mercy of nature.
The highest number of these birds can be seen at Ibrahim Haidery. While they mark a sounding presence throughout the year in the area, the count increases particularly in winters.
The scavengers are seen perched on walls, roads, electricity polls, open spaces and trees all day. However, the fearful scene is before sunset. Commuters on the main road feel a sense of horror when passing through the location with these large birds hovering over their heads.
"The number is increasing each year," said a resident, Muhammad Anwer. "These birds eat fish thrown on roads and streets, and stay near fishmeal factories."
A visitor can hardly pass the area without getting nausea due to the pungent smell. Despite that, many residents of Korangi and other areas still like to visit the nearby beach.
According to Nadeem Mirbahar, the natural resources management coordinator of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, we should be thankful to the birds as they eat the unhygienic waste which is left unattended otherwise. "It is a clear indicator of how much waste the city generates daily and what kinds of waste collection measures are being taken."
Environmentalists believe it is also a failure of humans who do not care to keep the environment clean. "The major population [of these birds] is seen in Ibrahim Haidery and it is all because of the trash fish left in the open."
The black kites not only clean Ibrahim Haidery of fish trash but also help people across the city. Dozens of these birds reach within minutes in an area where dead waste is thrown, such as places outside the butcher's shop.
"The sweeper demands money for collecting the waste but these birds take it away without any money and help me to keep the area free of unwanted waste," said Asghar Ali, a shopkeeper who sells broiler chicken. He told The Express Tribune how most of the shopkeepers throw their waste outside the shop for these birds.
While the population of the black kite is increasing in Karachi, the bird is not considered harmful to humans. Wildlife experts point out that the number of these birds indicates the favourable condition provided for their sustenance.
"The population is increasing in urban areas due to suitable conditions," said Mirbahar, adding that no institution has ever conducted research on the role of these birds.
According to experts, black kites play a positive role in cities like Karachi where no proper waste management system exists.
"These birds are a blessing for the Karachiites," said Javed Ahmed Mahar, the conservator of Sindh Wildlife Department. "The increasing number of these birds also indicates how a common man is not concerned about his own environment."
Mahar was of the view that the black kites have played a vital role in Karachi. "They are cleaner and work more than a sweeper could do," he said. "These are natural scavengers."
Instead of blaming the failure of the government, Mahar said the waste thrown in open places points out a lack of civic sense among the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2015.