Sindh Government has formed a task force comprising officials of federal and provincial governments for taking steps to check the marine life, chief secretary (CS) told Sindh Water Commission (SWC) on Saturday. Pursuant to the order of the commission few days back, high officials of the federal and provincial govts as well as representatives of Pakistan Navy turned up in the proceedings of the commission, headed by former Justice Amir Hani Muslim.
The participants discussed the issue of marine pollution and the related concerns such as municipal waste and industrial waste, across West wharf, Karachi Fish Harbor and Korangi Fish Harbor. These issues - almost unchecked now - have caused significant damage to marine life and shipping industry, commission observed and noted that the export of fish has also been considerably reduced.
During the deliberations, the chief secretary informed the Commission that he has formed a Task Force in which secretary fisheries has been made chairman while the other stakeholders from provincial and federal governments are its members. The Task Force, according to the chief secretary, will take steps to minimize the marine / shoreline contamination.
Keeping in view the enormity of the task and multitude of dimensions related with the task, the Commission was of the view that the chief secretary and the concerned secretaries of the Federal Government should lead the work and formulate a way forward.
The road-map, so proposed should include remedies for all the marine pollution issues including the Karachi Fish Harbor and Korangi Fish Harbor, commission ordered and decided to personally visit the identified places that need to be cleaned immediately, accompanied by all the slake-holders on Monday, the 2nd July, 2018.
In the order of priorities, the Commission decided to get the Karachi Fish Harbor and thereafter Korangi Fish Harbor cleaned. The entire Provincial and the Federal Departments, irrespective of their domain, will join hands for achievements of this objective.
The Commission made it clear that, in the first place, emphasis shall be placed on cleaning the Fish Harbors and thereafter (or simultaneously) the issues relating to dumping of solid waste into the sea waters, untreated industrial effluent and municipal sewerage out-falling into the sea would be checked and stopped after getting the proper treatment facilities in place.
The Commission observed that some steps have already been taken in this direction and some of the required facilities are in the execution phase. Commission emphasised that all the concerned departments /ministries will be participating in this task of eliminating sea contamination and cleaning of the aforesaid areas. Commission will supervise the whole exercise.
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