Latest news with #MarinePollutionControlBoard
Business Recorder
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Marine pollution board holds first meeting in 15 years
KARACHI: Federal Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has issued a stark warning over the growing threat of marine pollution, stressing its far-reaching impacts on Pakistan's blue economy, climate, biodiversity, and public health. Chairing the fifth meeting of the Marine Pollution Control Board here, the first in 15 years, the minister emphasized that unchecked pollution is not only degrading marine life and coastal ecosystems but also undermining fisheries, tourism, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Marine Pollution Control Board works under the Maritime Ministry. The high-level meeting was attended by representatives from all relevant ministries, departments, and organizations. Minister Chaudhry took strong notice of the board's prolonged inactivity and directed that its meetings now be held on a regular basis. 'Land-based pollution, particularly the discharge of untreated sewage and solid waste, accounts for nearly 90 percent of marine pollution. If targeted effectively, this can be reduced significantly,' the minister stated. He highlighted the cascading effects of marine degradation, including contaminated seafood, economic losses, increased coastal erosion, and damage to harbor infrastructure, and the potential extinction or migration of marine species. In response to the worsening crisis, the minister formed two committees to accelerate progress on key wastewater treatment initiatives. The first will focus on the long-delayed Sewage Treatment Plant-III (STP-III), and the second will address issues with the Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), designed to handle industrial wastewater. Both committees are expected to submit comprehensive reports to the board within 20 days. During the session, officials revealed that Karachi generates over 472 million gallons of sewage daily, including nearly 100 million gallons of industrial effluent, which is largely discharged untreated into the Lyari and Malir rivers and eventually into the Arabian Sea. The city's stormwater drains also carry significant quantities of solid waste, including plastics, directly into coastal waters. To counter this, the board discussed various mitigation strategies such as installing nets on stormwater drains, fencing riverbanks, deploying trash removal systems in harbors, and expediting the completion of treatment facilities in critical areas like Manora, Baba Bhit, and Kalri and Phitti nullah catchment zones. The minister also called for stronger enforcement of environmental laws. He proposed invoking strict penalties under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance against polluting vessels and industries. He further urged for empowering the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) with enhanced operational authority to implement environmental safeguards more effectively. The meeting additionally addressed sea-based sources of pollution — estimated to contribute 10 percent — including ballast water discharge, ship breaking activities, fishing operations, and offshore drilling. The Karachi Port Trust and other maritime authorities were urged to enforce regulations stringently to curb these practices. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Marine pollution threatens blue economy
Listen to article Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has warned that marine pollution poses a severe threat to Pakistan's blue economy. It harms biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism while also contributing to climate change, economic loss, and public health risks. According to an official statement, the minister issued this warning while chairing a meeting of the Marine Pollution Control Board. Representatives from all relevant ministries and departments were present. To address the crisis, two committees were formed to identify key issues and submit reports within 20 days. These will focus on the Sewage Treatment Plant-III (STP-III) and the Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), both aimed at treating industrial and municipal wastewater. The minister expressed displeasure over a 15-year gap in board meetings and directed that regular sessions now be held. He also called for a comprehensive public awareness campaign and urged stakeholders to engage the public in tackling marine pollution. He stressed the need for strict enforcement of environmental laws under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, with heavy penalties for violators. Chaudhry advocated expanding SEPA's powers to ensure effective regulation. He stated that up to 90% of land-based marine pollutionmainly untreated sewage and solid wastecould be prevented with targeted measures. He highlighted the far-reaching impacts of pollution, including contaminated seafood, declining fish stocks, lost tourism revenue, and erosion of coastal infrastructure. He also warned of marine habitat destruction and possible species extinction. Sea-based pollution, such as ship waste, ballast water discharge, offshore drilling, fishing operations, and shipbreaking, contributes about 10% to overall marine pollution. The minister urged the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and maritime authorities to enforce stricter controls. Officials briefed the minister on Karachi's alarming pollution levels. The city releases over 472 million gallons of sewage daily, including nearly 100 million gallons of industrial waste. This flows into the Lyari and Malir rivers, eventually reaching the Arabian Sea. Solid wasteincluding plastics, recyclables, and biodegradable materialsis dumped near coastal zones, worsening marine degradation. Proposed solutions include installing nets on stormwater drains, fencing rivers, and removing floating trash from harbours. The statement also urged expediting the completion of the Sewerage Treatment Project and building new plants in critical areas like Manora, Baba Bhit, Kalri, and Phitti nullahs.
