Minister environment takes note of cultivation of vegetables through hazardous effluent, waste water

Karachi : On the directive of Minister for Environment, Shaikh Muhammad Afzal (Khalid Umer) the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA), Sindh has taken a serious view of reports appeared in print and electronic media about the cultivation of vegetables in Malir which are being cultivated through hazardous effluent and waste water due to which serious concerns have arisen because of vulnerability of general public as a large number of such hazardous vegetables are being consumed by citizens.

These vegetables contain an abnormally high amount of cacogenic metals such as arsenic, cadmium and lead which are considered harmful if cross the level of 0.03 ng/g and 0.5 ng/g respectively and could cause serious health implications both physically and mentally.

Director General Environment Protection Agency, Sindh Mohammad Nawaz Naseeem along with concerned team which comprised Project Director VECOP Shahid Faraz, Deputy Director Lab Dr. Ashique Langha and other members visited the place where this practice is underway at Malir and collected the sample of soil, vegetables and the waste under for laboratory test purpose from the cultivated area and those samples have been sent to PCSIR laboratory for the analysis.

DG EPA Mohammad Nawaz Naseem said that growers of these vegetables are playing with lives of citizens for earning an extra buck. He further said that approximately 20% of total supply of vegetables for consumption of the city comes to market from Malir. Director General SEPA has reiterated his stance that Environment Department will definitely take immediate and preventive measures according to Environmental Protection Act 1997.

The Agency has further issued notice to tanneries found guilty of releasing untreated wastewater into the Malir river.