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PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
TUESDAY THE 16TH FEBRUARY, 2016.
*735. MS. NAHEED BEGUM: Will the Minister for Environment be pleased to state:-
(a) Steps taken by the department to protect sea from environmental pollution;
(b) Is it a fact that efforts are being made for co-ordination of NGOs in this regard;
(c) If answer to (b) above be in the affirmative, the details thereof?
ANSWER
DR. SIKANDAR ALI MANDHRO, Minister for Environment:
(a) It is to state that due to improper handling of waste and insufficient/negligible treatment facilities available with respective organization marine/sea pollution is continuously increasing.
The major sources of sea pollution are as follows;
1. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from industrial areas located in Karachi.
2. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from Fertilizers discharging into river and canals
3. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from different districts adjacent to River Indus
4. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from KWSB
5. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from Defense Housing Authority Karachi.
6. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from Karachi Port Trust.
7. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from Cantonment Boards.
8. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from RBOD I & II
9. Disposal of untreated waste water generated from Sugar mills in Sindh
EPA Sindh has taken steps to conduct monitoring activities to examine the status and causes of environmental degradation. EPA Sindh approached the relevant authorities of KMC, DHA, Cantonment Boards, KW&SB and KPT for taking corrective measures in order to address the environmental pollution/problems of coastal areas.
EPA Sindh has been taken following steps to address the environmental issues of sea pollution;
1. Developed data base of industry in Sindh
2. Issued direction to about 200 various organizations for installation of wastewater treatment plant.
3. Issued about 2500 notices for environmental compliance
4. Conducted various meetings with respective authorities (Industrial Associations, District administration etc).
Resultantly, concerned authorities i.e. KW&SB along with relevant stakeholders took initiative in consultation with the Environment Department and prepared Greater Karachi Sewerage S-III project. This project addresses rehabilitation and up-gradation of existing wastewater treatment plants in order to address domestic wastewater treatment.
The execution of S-III project leads towards the improvement in coastal areas of Karachi.
KW&SB has also prepared PC-I for construction of four Combined Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). These plants are proposed for industrial areas of Karachi;
· SITE
· Korangi & Landhi Industrial Area
· North Karachi & F.B. Industrial Area
· Super Highway
About 25 waste water treatment plants were installed by private industries.
EPA Sindh is also responding accordingly in Human Rights cases (HRC Cases No-14/1992, No. 11/1994, No.30/1994 and No.3747/2006) in the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan pertaining to the issue raised by learned Haji Muhammad Shafi Jamot, MPA.
Awareness Activities;
Likewise, beach cleaning activities, seminars are also undertaken on the regular basis to create awareness among the general masses besides approaching concerned civic agencies for proper disposal of solid waste.
(b) Yes, this department coordinates with various NGOs in celebrating environmental activities on specific events of world Environment Day, Earth day; water Day, etc on regular basis. The local NGOs including international NGOs like IUCN, WWF, Fisher Folk Forum and other stakeholders will participate in these activities.
*1101. HAJI SHAFI MUHAMMAD JAMOT: Will the Minister for Environment be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that toxic, chemicals, garbage and waste sewerage water and plastic bags are being dumped into the sea destroying marine life, fish and our beaches;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, the reasons thereof alongwith the steps being taken by the government to eliminate the same to protect marine life, ensure healthy fishing human sports and recreation?
ANSWER
DR. SIKANDAR ALI MANDHRO, Minister for Environment:
It is fact that various types of garbage and waste is being dumped into the sea destroying marine life and natural beauty of our beaches/coastal sites due to improper handling of waste and non-availability of treatment facilities with respective organizations.
EPA Sindh took punitive measures conducting. monitoring activities to examine the status and causes of environmental degradation. On the basis of findings/reports EPA Sindh approached the relevant authorities of DHA, KMC, Cantonment Board, KW&SB and KPT for taking corrective measures in this regard. They were advised through letters and in meetings held from time to time for taking appropriate measures to improve the existing conditions in their respective areas.
Resultantly, these authorities took initiatives and extended their cooperation with respect to increase in their capacity of treatment of wastewater and solid waste management.
For this purpose, DHA has planned to enhance the existing facilities in their jurisdiction. Similarly, the KW&SB has also initiated the S-III project to address the environmental issues including coastal areas. However, the S-III project did not initiate due to lack of funds. Prior to 18th Amendment the S-III was the Federal Subject including Sindh Government and KPT but after the 18th Amendment the project got stuck due unavailability of funds.
Likewise, beach cleaning activities, seminars are also undertaken on the regular basis to create awareness among the general masses.
*1522. MS. NUSRAT SEHER ABBASI: Will the Minister for Environment be pleased to state:-
Number of environmental monitoring stations working in industrial areas, Korangi, SITE, Federal B area and New Karachi along with the name of dangerous gases being controlled by the same?
ANSWER
DR. SIKANDAR ALI MANDHRO, Minister for Environment:
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) prepared a P.C-I of Environment Monitoring System (EMS) in Pakistan with the cost of Rs.1233 million. The Foreign Exchange share of JICA was 79% (Rs. 973 million) while local component (GOP) was 21% (Rs.260 million). This project allocated about 17% of the cost to Sindh province in shape of Technical Assistance and Environmental Monitoring Equipment. Two (Fixed) Environmental Monitoring Stations and one mobile monitoring station were provided under this project to Sindh Environmental Protection Agency. The installation of these stations were completed at following locations in Karachi and monitoring activities initiated in the year 2007;
1. In the premises of EPA Sindh located at Korangi Industrial Area. This covers air quality monitoring in Korangi Industrial area.
2. In the premises of Deputy Commissioner's office, District Central North Nazimabad. This covers air monitoring of Site Industrial area
The basic purpose of these stations was to measure the presence of harmful gases/ pollutants mentioned as follows;
1. Suspended Particulate Matter
2. Total Nitrogen oxides
3. Nitrogen Oxides
4. Nitrogen dioxides
5. Sulfur dioxides
6. Carbon monoxide
7. Ozone
8. Total hydrocarbons
9. Methane
10. Non Methane
11. Wind speed
12. Wind Direction
13. Humidity
14. Temperature
15. UV rays
Air quality was monitored round the clock for the pollutants that could lead towards adverse effects on human health.
Dust and water testing equipment were also provided to strengthen Sindh EPA Lab along with necessary chemicals, reagents and glass wares.
During project implementation necessary trainings were provided to Sindh EPA technical/ scientific people regarding achieving the tasks of monitoring. Further a series of activities were carried out for the following under guidance of Japanese Experts at various locations in Pakistan and Japan as well.
1. Repair & Maintenance of Equipment Manual
2. Development of Sampling procedures Manual
3. Development of Lab testing procedures
4. Preparation of Model projects (Air & Water) monitoring.
5. Training on Calibration & Standardization of Equipment
After 18th Constitutional Amendment the liabilities of the project shifted to the province without financial assistance from the Federal Government or Pak-EPA or donar agency (JICA).
At present these stations are un-operational since 2012 due to non-availability of funds for operation & maintenance. It is estimated that an amount of Rs. 6 million would be required for operation and maintenance of these air quality monitoring stations. Therefore, EPA Sindh took the initiatives for making these stations functional and prepared PC-I with the cost of Rs.146 million to address the environmental issues of the province including air and water sectors and proper functioning of these stations. This P.C-I has been approved during last financial year (2013-14) by the P&D Department, Government of Sindh and funds of Rs. 55 million are released for this financial year (2015-16). The process of procurement has been initiated in observance with SPPRA Rules.
*1523. MS. NUSRAT SEHER ABBASI: Will the Minister for Environment be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that any comprehensive study has been conducted about sea intrusion of coastal area;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, the details thereof along with the steps taken in the light of study carried out by city government during 1996?
ANSWER
DR. SIKANDAR ALI MANDHRO, Minister for Environment:
(a) The matter, more or less, pertains to Irrigation Dept, SEDA or CDA. Since the matter does not pertains to SEPA therefore no specific study has been carried out on sea intrusion. However, a study was carried out under National Drainage Program (NDP) to assess the surface water quality of water bodies, in general, and River Indus, in particular, in Sindh. According to the study conducted by IUCN in 2001 shows that 25 feet of Arabian Sea was flowing in the main channel and 33 dehs of 3 tehsils of Thatta district and these villages were directly affected by sea water. The report indicated that during the last few years, the River Indus did not have a perennial flow, so sea water began intruding and flowing in the main course. It had also been observed that sea water was flowing up to 54 Km up-stream. The values of chemical parameters especially Na & Chlorides were higher at Sujawal Bridge which clearly indicated that the effect of sea water was very much prominent.
(b) The City Government has not shared this study with EPA. However, the efforts are being made to collect this report for taking necessary steps accordingly.
*2473. MR. KHURRAM SHER ZAMAN: Will the Minister for Environment be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that government is unable to implement environment laws in the province as most of the factories and vehicles are violating;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, the effective measures taken in this regard?
ANSWER
DR. SIKANDAR ALI MANDHRO, Minister for Environment:
It is to state that Sindh EPA, Government of Sindh is determined to implement the environmental laws across the province with due diligence. The Sindh Environmental Protection Act, 2014 was enacted in March 2014 whereas Rules & Regulation were finalized in December 2014. EPA Sindh continued its activities in the larger interest of the public on large scale after development of Rules & Regulations made under SEP Act, 2014. The monitoring teams of EPA, head office, Karachi and regional offices located at Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Larkana remained vigilant and carried out field tasks regularly to address issues of pollution.
There are three types of pollution:
1. Water Pollution
· Untreated industrial Effluent
· Domestic Sewerage
· Release from Agriculture drains
2. Land Pollution
· Industrial Solid waste
· Domestic Solid waste
· Imperfect Solid waste Management System and shortage of landfill sites
3. Air Pollution
· Vehicular Emission
· Industrial Emission
· Industrial Radiations
· Burning of Solid waste
To address the issues of environmental pollutions, this office has carried out a number of meetings with relevant organizations, hospitals associations and discussed the above mentioned issues to make better environment. Further it pertinent to say that over 200 notices under Sindh Environmental Protection Act-2014 have been served to industries, organizations, hospitals and institutions for improving environmental conditions making treatment facilities with them.
· Action against Industrial Violators
EPA Sindh monitoring teams are continuously conducting field activities in towards industrial sites in Sindh. Several hundred of industries have been monitored in Sindh. Those industrial units found violating the laws are brought to book as per provision of Environmental laws. Hundreds of notices have been issued for non compliance to environmental laws. A number of cases are also registered with EPT in this regard.
It is because of the working of the EPA Sindh that number of cases against polluters & Violators are either in EPT, Sindh High Court and Supreme Court of Pakistan as well as in the office of the Honorable Ombudsman Sindh. Therefore, EPA Sindh is pleading a number of cases in apex courts as given below;
Ø Honorable Supreme Court-9
Ø Honorable Sindh High Court-81
Ø Sindh Environmental Tribunal-32
Ø Ombudsman Sindh -15
The recent activities included as under:
Action against Crushing Units in Sindh:
The monitoring of one hundred and twenty one (121) crushing units was carried out in Sindh. They were found generating pollution in the environment. On the basis of sufficient evidence, this office took stern action against the management of each unit. Those units violating the laws were closed with the support of law enforcement agencies. Guidelines were also proposed in this regard for compliance by the management.
Action against vehicular emission on road, Transportation:
A separate section deals for vehicular emission activities. Over 21000 vehicles have been checked on roads at various locations in Sindh. Over 3000 challan have been done in order to non compliance of Sindh Environmental Quality Standards.
Action against Sugar Mills in Sindh
This agency has been carrying out Sugar mills monitoring since last several years in Sindh. During previous crushing season 33 sugar mills were monitored and on the basis of violation of SEQS necessary legal actions were initiated against the violators. Environmental Protection Orders were issued. The management of sugar mills are directed to prepare comprehensive plan to address the environmental issues pertain to respective sugar mills. Some of the mills have submitted their Environmental management plans.
EPA Sindh is also examining the EIA & IEE for the new projects to watch its impacts on provincial environment as well.
EPA Sindh however, as the Environmental law enforcing agency has been passed Environmental Protection Orders. The Sindh EPA is now stretching its muscles more feasibly to bring more culprits under law and making this province a better place to live.
*2932. MR. SHIRAZ WAHEED: Will the Minister for Environment be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that no Environmental Impact Study has ever been carried out on the effects of toxicity of the water in Manchar Lake;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, the reasons thereof?
ANSWER
DR. SIKANDAR ALI MANDHRO, Minister for Environment:
A detailed study was conducted, under National Drainage Program (NDP), a few years ago on surface water quality in Sindh. The major sources of surface water were examined for various parameters related to human health. The Manchar Lake was one of the lakes which were examined in detail. According to the report, the BOD, COD, DO, TDS and some other parameter’s values found high and even greater than acceptable limits as prescribed in NEQS/WHO but the presence of microbiological contamination rendered water unfit for human consumption. However, the irrigation dept. Sindh in association with WAPDA has installed many water treatment plants which are producing drinking water to local residents. The monitoring of Manchar Lake water is being carried out by EPA, Regional Office Hyderabad (ROH) for harmful parameters since last several months.
*3138. MR. KAMRAN AKHTAR: Will the Minister for Environment be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that cement factories in the vicinity of Karachi are burning solid waste as a fuel without the approval of SEPA or any environmental impact report;
(b) If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, the details thereof?
ANSWER
DR. SIKANDAR ALI MANDHRO, Minister for Environment:
In the vicinity of Karachi no cement factory is burning solid waste as fuel.
Karachi:- G. M. Umar Farooq
the 15th February, 2016. Secretary
Provincial Assembly of Sindh.
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