Eco- Friendly Wetland Park by KPT: Combating land-based source of marine pollution

World Environment Day is being celebrated throughout the world on 5th June 2012. The theme of the day is GREEN ECONOMY: Does it include you. The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.
Practically speaking, a Green Economy is one whose growth in income and employment is driven by public and private investments that reduce carbon emissions and pollution, enhance energy and resource efficiency, and prevent the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These investments need to be catalyzed and supported by targeted public expenditure, policy reforms and regulation changes.
Investment into a Green Economy will provide opportunity to creating milions of green new jobs it will reduce burden on the econmoy and gives consumeers the purchasing power to sustain lives through supporting green industries. By 2008, over 2.3 million people in just six leading countries in green jobs were employed in this low-carbon sector (China, Denmark, Germany, India Spain, and the United States). The Green Economy is therefore not just a passing environmental fad but is one of the best solutions available for sustainable economic growth that recognizes the social compon
UNEP has prirotized ten sectors which need special attention while planning the green economy business. The identified sectors are Building, Fisheries, Forestry, Transport, water, energy supply, agriculture, tourism, waste and manufacturing industry. Karachi Port Trust has already stepped into the Waste, Energy supply, Mangrove forestry and Maritime transport sector. Various environment friendly initiatives have been taken such as KPT is promoting sustainable management of the mangrove forest cover by pursuing practical actions; by developing KPT' mangrove policy which provide guidelines for the future development arenas of the port, strict surveillance, developing partnerships with other organizations involved in mangrove conservation and last but not the least planting the mangroves.
These partnerships have helped to create lasting development for the local communities, whilst protecting the mangrove ecosystem in which they live, that also provides benefits to the global community. It is just one example of what can be achieved through co-operation, common purpose and shared goals about our environment and its future.
In maritime transport sector KPT is fully committed to implement different IMO's conventions to which Pakistan is signatory in true letter and spirit. The ships violating the Marpol 73/78 convention or don't comply the OPRC 90 convention are not allowed to berth in the harbour. The ships are directed to close their all out baord valves during their stay at the harbour to avoid marine pollution due to oily water. To halt the inclusion of alien species into our water bodies through ballast water KPT has planned to implement Balalst water management Conventions 2004 at the port. Regarding waste management Karachi Harbour is at the receiving end of large quantum of City's municipal cum industrial effluents through 6 major drains and several smaller outfalls. The major drains and their assessed volumes are as under.

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1 Lyari River               220mgd

2 Nehre-e-Khayyam            16mgd

3 Soldier Bazar Nalla        30mgd

4 Railway  Nalla              4mgd

5 Pitcher Nalla               7mgd

6 Karli Nalla                 7mgd

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The effluents besides containing high concentration of toxic chemicals and heavy organic load also transport solid waste in the shape of floating debris and suspended plastic/polyethylene material. Presently, the most significant factors adversely impacting on the marine ecosystem in the port area are the sewage and nutrient inputs. The affects of these input is to reduce the dissolved oxygen level that increases the BOD to critical levels.
It is also apparent that due to the major impact of sewage and nutrients, the affects of other pollutants such as trace metals and oil play a secondary role. According to the available data, some trace metal concentrations in the port can be considered at a level where chronic toxic effects would be expected.
These trace metals include copper, chromium, zinc and arsenic. In an improved oxygen environment, where species of aquatic biota were less restricted, these trace metal levels would become a cause of greater concern.
The adverse impact of these pollutants' has jeopardised the Marine Ecosystem not only in the harbour but also on the coast. The high toxicity present in the untreated industrial effluents and the oxygen starvation caused by the raw sewage has drastically strained the marine life and whatever fish survive in the area is unfit for human consumption.
The above adverse impact is not restricted to Karachi harbour only because part of these pollutants is exported to the coastal water with the tide twice a day. This certainly affects the fish population in the coastal waters also.
The current sewage condition in the city required a complete separation of sewage and Storm water drainage systems, transmission of all sewage and waste water through closed sewer system to treatment plants and treatment of raw sewage to a level, meeting the EPA regulations' before discharging into the sea.
The Karachi Water & Sewerage Board is main body to cater treatment of all liquid waste. Presently, three sewage treatment plants with a total designed capacity of 150 mgd are installed in the city and sewage generated in different parts of the city is carried to these plants for treatment.
To cater the increasing load of liquid waste KW&SB comes up with a solution of Greater Karachi Sewerage Plan (S-III) which geared towards improving environmental and sanitation conditions of Karachi through a well integrated system of collection, treatment and disposal of sewage.
Karachi Port Trust joined with KW&SB and shared 33% cost of S-III project as per approved PC-I. Moreover KPT planned to built waste water treatment Plant at Mai Kolachi which will treat 60 mgd coming from Nehre-e-Khayyam, Soldier Bazar Nalla & City Railway Station Nalla.
The Karachi Port Trust and a non profit environmental group known as PANI (Peoples & Nature Initiative Presented a viable solution for the treatment of waste water coming through these drains. The study was carried out by the professionals in the area which concluded that there are 17 small drains also pouring untreated liquid waste into the Chinna Creek along with Nehre-e-Khayyam, Soldier Bazar Nalla & City Railway Station Nalla.
The solution presented is based on up flow anaerobic sludge blanket concept. It is planned that Deep Septic Tank will be constructed at the site through which the sewage flows upward from the bottom and a thick sludge layer acts as a blanket to promote anaerobic degradation. This process will removed 80% bio chemical oxygen demand from the water. The water coming from the septic tanks will allow to flow in a pond through open arteries for further refining. This treated water will overflow from the pond to the wetland were mangroves vegetation will clear it more before it enters into the habrour water Various path ways and wildlife aviary will be established for promoting wide verity of environmental & ecological education activities.