200 open plots being used for dumping effluent in SITE Karachi

KARACHI: There are around two hundred open space plots without having boundary walls in SITE in Karachi which are being used by factory owners for dumping their toxic waste posing great threat for the inhabitants of the nearby area and for the environment.

The dumping of extremely toxic industrial waste has become order of the day in SITE area which in particular endangering lives of the children. Last year three children were burnt alive in the industrial effluent dumped in an open plot while over dozen children sustained critical burn injuries in the incident.

Following the incident a committee was set up comprising high officials of police to probe into the incident. According to sum up of the official report obtained by Online, it was said that the real owners of the plot did not construct the boundary wall around the plot since taking its possession on May 22 2002 while the dumping of industrial effluent was still being made.

The report confirmed the fact that 200 plots in SITE were still vacant and dumping was being made in them. It said that SITE Limited is also showing indifference from the situation while it was its responsibility to look after dumping affairs according to bylaws of Section-8 as it collects funds in this regard from factory owners.

It may be pointed out that the concerned official of Sindh Environment Protection Agency who got registered the case of burning of three children was later transferred from the SEPA and explanation was sought from him on getting FIR registered.

The report however, said that SEPA remained quite on the case after transfer of the concerned official and did not pursue the case. The report recommended to the competent court of jurisdiction to take notice of what it said criminal negligence of SEPA officials and SITE Limited.

According to environmentalists, open dumping plots exits not only in SITE but also in other industrial area like Korangi, New Karachi and others. Despite the repeated pleas to the SEPA no appropriate action has taken yet against the violators of the environmental laws.