Pollution
If you don't kill it, It will kill you....
There is no doubt in it that Pakistan would have to be environmental standards compliant if it wants to have a healthy nation and desires to do business with the rest of the world. It would have to look more vigorously into all environment related issues ranging from fast increasing level air pollution to water pollution and noise pollution.
Today, when the whole scenario has been changed and world has become a global village, environmental issues could easily demolish the economy of any country because all major countries including European Union have set very strict environmental standards and are reluctant to import goods, specially food, from countries facing the environmental problems like Pakistan. Pakistan is already facing many crisis including energy, law and order and political instability etc, therefore, it can’t afford more crisis. Government and masses have to pay attention towards the issue of pollution; otherwise it would not only play a major role to derail Pakistan’s economy but also adverse effects on our future generations.
A study report of World Health Organisation (WHO) says “in the developing world, pollution is guilty for 5% of total demises”. As far as Lahore is concerned, near 65,000 people die every year while 1300 people lose their lives because of diseases produced by the polluted environment. A medical expert has also revealed that 22% Lahoris are suffering from Asthma, a disease that born and grow in only polluted environment.
Nowadays the prevailing problem on Karachi is alot of pollution as being an industrial city it produces thousands of tonnes of solid waste even some of Karachi's fertile land is used to dump waste products due to the cumulation of waste many diseases are spreading in the city. People of the lower socio economic classse search these heaps of garbage for material that can be recycled. They burn the waste and this recycling practice has adverse effects on the health of people. According to a research 80% of the garbage can be recycled if the collectors collect it separately as in and put similar material into the same place. Talking about the streets of the city they are kept very poorly. Gutters and water pipelines leaking in many areas mixing the clean water with polluted water because of this water, water borne diseases are spreading at a rapid pace . The hygienic condition of the city is very poor nowadays after a lot of rain in the city water has been accumulated on the streets and roads because of the poor sewage system . The garbage that has been growing in the sewage pipelines is the big problem as the rain water is not draining their as it is standing on the streets and roads. Alot of garbage heaps has been taken out by the action of the government but that was of no use as they left it on the streets and alot of flies and mosquitoes have been entered die to this with a number of diseases as well and people's health is being effected by this. This heaps are being burnt as a fuel as a result it emits harmful gases die to which air gets polluted. The environment is put under harm and the nature also suffers greatly.
I urge the Government of Sindh to take the necessary reforms to improve the state of environment affairs in Karachi Of prevailing practices continues life in the city will faceeven more challenges as it does today .
Mahnoor Ahmed.
Jinnah University For Women.