Sidra Shehzadi, Green Blogger
Waste
is one of the side effects caused by human activities. Over the years people
have not being dealing with litter effectively that leads to the pollution on
air, land and sea. Consequently, all the species of this planet have been
suffered through the contamination comes from waste. Hence Solid Waste Management
became a challenge for all the developed and developing countries.
In Pakistan waste disposal is the matter of grave environmental
concern as above 5 million people die yearly because of waste related diseases.
About 48.5 million tons of solid waste is produced annually with 2% annual
growth rate. Pakistan, being the 8th most polluted country in the world, deals
with the high consumption rate and resulting waste production that leads
towards the challenge of waste disposal.
Government of Pakistan
estimated that 87,000 tons of solid waste is generated daily, highly from major
metropolitan areas. Being a developing nation, Pakistan lacks waste management
infrastructure causing serious environmental problems. Waste management sector
of Pakistan is troubled by a variety of social, cultural, legislative and
economic issues, resulting in waste accumulation in common areas, open dumping
and burning of waste exposing hazardous toxins in the environment.
In Pakistan, solid waste management
capabilities and system varies by provinces. Karachi, being a largest city of
Pakistan utilitizes 3 landfill sites for waste disposal, while Lahore, the 2nd
largest city have only 2 landfills. Other major cities are planning to build
proper landfill sites. Whereas Balochistan with 6.9 million population has no
significant infrastructure for waste management.
In developed countries
incineration, landfill sites and recycling centers are used to manage the waste,
while in Pakistan much of the generated waste is recovered for recycling by
scavengers. But the remaining waste doesn't reached to the final disposal
sites. According to a study carried out by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Karachi
is in the midst of “garbage crisis” making it one of the least livable city.
According to the UN Environmental Programme, 6 current activities and plans are
taking place for efficient management of the solid waste.
Unfortunately as the
Government and Agencies fails to deliver, citizens are themselves started to
clean up the city of Karachi. Ahmed Shabbar, a social entrepreneur and founder
of the “Garbage CAN” take initiative in 2016 and raised the awareness on the
need to manage, recycle and dispose off waste through sustainable practices.
This initiative is now running in a chain process.
For improvement in SWM,
it is necessary to involve and assist the experts in environmental governance
as SWM sector of Pakistan is under politicians and public workers who are not
necessarily informed on waste management. The responsibility of the future is
in the hands of government and citizens. So, it is imperative for the public to
become environmentally educated, have a change in attitude and take action.
About the Author: Sidra Shehzadi
is a fresh undergraduate in Environmental Sciences from GCWUs. She is currently
providing her services as a teacher in a well reputed educational system.
0 Comments