KARACHI: Central, Korangi and East District Municipal Corporations (DMCs) have started dumping garbage and debris into Malir Riverbed and on different sites in Lyari Riverbed.
During the ongoing cleanliness drive on the directives of Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar, the three district administrations are using these these areas for disposal.
A complaint has been filled in this regard to Commissioner Karachi and respective deputy commissioners of these districts, the members of civil society and residents of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulberg, Korangi and Shah Faisal Colony which have expressed their concerns that this would further pollute the environment.
It is worth mentioning that Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) has taken over the charge of land filling sites of Jam Chakro Surjani and Gunpass near Hub River Road from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
SSWMB is currently building boundary walls around these two landfill sites, therefore it is hard for these DMCs to use sites for garbage dumping, officials of three DMCs said.
Some spots of Malir Riverbed are being used for growing of vegetables by allottees and other people around. The dumping of filth and debris alongside the Malir Riverbed would contaminate vegetables, being grown there said complainants.
The members of civil society are also concerned due to this practice, the dumping would raise ground level of the beds and thus create hurdle in the smooth flow of rainwater during monsoon.
A city super store has already raised ground level of one side of Lyari River bed for its parking purpose while the DMC’s were using opposite side of the bed for dumping of garbage.
This will also stop the natural flow of rainwater of Lyari River bed besides polluting the environment of the area, they added.
SSWMB official has told daily Times that the working and the functioning of garbage collection and its disposal is all being done by the DMC’s . We would certainly keep a check on them if they are involved in its illegal dumping.