essay pollution in karachi

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Karachi world’s fourth largest polluted city: report

City’s toxic air works as a slow poison, contributing to asthma, nose elegy, sore throat, and heart diseases

Karachi has turned out to be the world's fourth largest polluted city as its air quality index has surged to an unhealthy level of 193, showing utter negligence of the federal and Sindh governments towards environmental reforms, according to a new investigative report released on Sunday.

PM2.5 concentration, as per IQAir organisation report, in Karachi has been recorded 11.8 times higher this month which is above the WHO annual air quality guideline value.

This clearly proves that the federal and Sindh governments’ claims of making huge investments for improving the environment and public health in the city are nothing but disinformation and misinformation, says the investigation report.

The investigation finds that air pollution in Karachi contains solid and liquid particles, and certain gases in the air. The major polluters are transport and industrial emissions followed by burning of garbage, emissions from refrigerators, generators, flying of dust, and stoves used in houses and hotels.

The investigation says that all types of forests, including mangroves along Sindh’s coastline, which used to help absorb carbon dioxide and clean air in Karachi, have been hacked to an alarming level.

Karachi’s present mangroves forest cover is 50,000 hectares. In the last 50 years, Karachi has lost 10,000 hectares of mangrove forest due to encroachments, commercialisation and infrastructure development.

A Sindh Environmental Protection Agency report says that the important ecosystems in Sindh, such as mangroves, have come under extreme pressure due to seawater encroachment and deforestation. There has been mass depletion of mangrove forests in the area due to illegal logging, irrigation and untreated industrial waste.

The report says that only 130,000 hectares of mangroves of the 600,000 hectares that existed at the start of the 20th century are now left. The total land area of Sindh is 34.84 million out of which 8 per cent is forest cover.

According to international standard, a country should have at least 25 per cent of its total land under forest cover to tackle environmental degradation including air pollution.

The new annual economic survey of Pakistan released in June 2021 says that Pakistan is a forest deficient country as it has 5.01 per cent area under its forest cover.

According to WHO, air pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to human health, alongside climate change. From smog hanging over cities to smoke inside the home, air pollution poses a major threat to health. It causes diseases including heart ailments, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, cancer and pneumonia. Seven million people die globally each year due to exposure to ambient and household air pollution.

Read:  Untenable toll of air pollution

Air pollution is a complex mixture of solid particles, liquid droplets, as well as gases. It can come from many sources such as household fuel burning, industrial chimneys, traffic exhausts, power generation, open burning of waste, agricultural practices, desert dust and many other sources.

Air pollutants measured include PM2.5 and PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of equal or less than 2.5, also called fine, and 10 micrometre respectively), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate through the lungs and further enter the body through the bloodstream, affecting all major organs.

Exposure to PM2.5 can cause diseases both to the cardiovascular and respiratory system, provoking stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

New research has also shown an association between prenatal exposure to high levels of air pollution and developmental delay at the age of three, as well as psychological and behavioural problems later on, including symptoms of attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression.

Read:  SEPA seals factory over failure to control pollution

Air pollution is a threat to health in all countries, but it hits people in low-and middle-income countries the hardest,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

In an interview, National Forum for Environment and Health President Naeem Qureshi said that air pollution was continuously rising in Karachi, mainly due to emissions from transport, followed by industrial emissions and burning of garbage. Transport is creating 70% air pollution in the city.

“The federal and provincial governments have formulated environment policies but they are not being implemented in true spirit, as a result, there is no control on pollution in Karachi,” he said.

Qureshi maintained that certification system of vehicles in the city was bogus which needed to be improved. There should be effective checking of smoke-emitting vehicles to reduce harmful emissions, he said, adding that mass transit be launched in Karachi at the earliest besides launching electrical vehicles.

Separately, Pakistan Medical Association Secretary General SM Qaisar Sajjad noted that Karachi had turned out to be the world’s fourth largest air polluting city.

“Air pollution is a slow poison and can even take life in severe conditions,” he said, observing that air pollution contributes to asthma, nose elegy, sore throat, and heart diseases.

The PMA president stressed the need to regulate transport and industrial systems, and cease all smoke-emitting and dilapidated vehicles which cause air pollution.

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State of gaseous air pollutants and resulting health effects in Karachi, Pakistan

Affiliations.

• 1 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12201-0509, USA.
• 2 Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA.
• 3 Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
• 4 Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, 34110, Qatar.
• 5 Chemistry Department, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
• 6 Department of Environmental and Health Research, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
• 7 Institute for the Health and the Environment, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA.
• 8 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, Albany, NY, 12201-0509, USA. [email protected].
• 9 Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA. [email protected].
• PMID: 36602617
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10787-1

Karachi, Pakistan, is a priority site for air pollution research due to high emissions of air pollutants from vehicular traffic, industrial activities, and biomass burning, as well as rapid growth in population. The objectives of this study were to investigate the levels of gaseous pollutants (NO, NO 2 , O 3 , HNO 3 , and SO 2 ) in Karachi, to determine temporal and seasonal variations, to compare Karachi's air quality with other urban centers, to identify relationships with meteorological conditions, to identify source characterization, and to perform a backward-in-time trajectory analysis and a health impact assessment. Daily samples of gaseous pollutants were collected for six consecutive weeks in each of the four seasons for a year. Daily maximum concentrations of NO (90 parts per billion by volume (ppbv)), NO 2 (28.1 ppbv), O 3 (57.8 ppbv), and SO 2 (331 ppbv) were recorded in fall, while HNO 3 (9129 parts per trillion by volume (pptv)) was recorded in spring. Seasonal average concentrations were high in winter for NO (9.47 ± 7.82 ppbv), NO 2 (4.84 ± 3.35 ppbv), and O 3 (8.92 ± 7.65 ppbv), while HNO 3 (629 ± 1316 pptv) and SO 2 (20.2 ± 39.4 ppbv) were high in spring and fall, respectively. The observed SO 2 seasonal average concentration in fall (20.2 ± 39.4) was 5 times higher than that in summer (3.97 ± 2.77) with the fall 24-h average (120 ppbv) exceeding the WHO daily guideline (7.64 ppbv) by a factor of about 15.7. A health impact assessment estimated an increase of 1200 and 569 deaths due to short-term exposure to SO 2 in fall and spring, respectively. Chronic daily intake estimated risk per 1000 was 0.99, 0.47, 0.45, and 0.26 for SO 2 in fall, NO in winter, O 3 in winter, and NO 2 in spring, respectively. This study confirms the effect of poor urban air quality on public health and demonstrated the influence of photochemical reactions as well as unfavorable meteorological conditions on the formation of secondary pollutants.

Keywords: Gaseous pollutants; Karachi; Nitric acid; Seasonal variation; Urban pollution.

© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Pollution in Karachi

A prevailing problem in Karachi is pollution. Being an industrial city, it produces thousands of tonnes of solid waste. Some of Karachi’s fertile land is used to dump waste products. Due to the accumulation of waste, many diseases are spreading in Karachi. People from lower socio-economic class search these heaps of garbage for material that can be recycled. This practice has adverse effects on their health. The streets of the city are very poorly kept. Gutters and water pipelines leak in many areas mixing clean water with polluted water. Water borne diseases are spreading at a rapid pace. The hygienic conditions of the city are poor. Garbage is sold and burnt as a fuel. This produces air pollution. Moreover, it also gives way to many diseases such as lung diseases etc. The environment is put under harm and thus nature suffers greatly. According to a research 80 percent of the garbage can be recycled if the collectors collect it separately as in, put similar materials into the same place. I urge the Government of Sindh to take necessary reforms to improve the state of environmental affairs in Karachi. If prevailing practices continue, life in the city will face even more challenges as it does today. Burning of garbage should be banned. Those who illegally sell garbage should be put to punishment.

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Air quality in Karachi

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AIR QUALITY ANALYSIS AND STATISTICS FOR Karachi

Does karachi have bad air quality.

Karachi is a city located in Pakistan, being one of the largest in the country as well as the 12 th largest city worldwide, with nearly 15 million inhabitants living within the city’s limits. A large amount of Pakistan's economy relies on Karachi, and with a high level of industry as well as people living there, Karachi will subsequently suffer from the pollution related issues, as all densely populated and rapidly developing cities often do.

In 2019 Karachi came in with a PM2.5 reading of 40.2 μg/m³, putting it into the ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups bracket’, which requires a PM2.5 reading of anywhere between 35.5 to 55.4 μg/m³ to be classed as such. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, making it 3% the size of a human hair, and as such extremely damaging to human health when respired, hence why it is used as a major component of calculating the air quality as well as pollution levels.

Karachi's 2019 reading of 40.2 μg/m³ put it in 231 st place out of all the most polluted cities worldwide, as well as being the 9 th most polluted city in Pakistan. Despite being so densely populated, and with a whole host of pollution problems, with some months coming in with dangerous levels of PM2.5 readings, there are cities in Pakistan with considerably more severe pollution levels. However, as it stands, Karachi does indeed have pollution issues with its air that should not be overlooked

What are the main causes of pollution in Karachi?

With such a densely populated city, there is always the accompanying high level of vehicles of all types to come along with the citizens. Many bikes, cars and trucks populate the roads, with a large amount of them being far under what would constitute a safe level of pollution output (due to factors such as vehicle age, as well as the fuel they run on). Many of these vehicles would still run on diesel fuel, which can cause far more elevated levels of pollution in the exhaust fumes than their cleaner counterparts often would.

Besides cars and motorbikes, rickshaws running on two stroke engines (a type of engine that has a high-power output to weight ratio, however due to the design nature they often have mixtures of oil as well as fuel in them, thus creating far more pollution that a four-stroke engine) contribute massively to pollution levels. Other sources include the open burning of refuse and garbage, much of which can contain dangerous materials such as plastic and other synthetic man-made products, as well as organic materials that also releases its own plethora of smoke filled with pollutants. Further contributions come from factory emissions as well as dust from poorly maintained roads and construction sites, which can add heavily to the PM2.5 and PM10 count.

What type of pollutants would you find in the air in Karachi?

With pollutive sources such as vehicles being large offenders for air pollution levels, particularly the ambient ones that are seen year-round due to personal vehicle use being a constant, high levels of compounds such as nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) would be found in the air. Nitrogen dioxide is of particular pertinence due to the large amount of it given off primarily by vehicles (as well as it being found in open burn sources and industrial emissions), so much so to the point that high levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air will often directly correlate with a large amount of traffic.

Other materials and compounds would include ozone (O 3 ) and carbon monoxide (CO), as well as particulate matter such as black carbon, which can be created through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels as well as the burning of organic matter.

It is often found as a major component in soot and thus will be seen coating large amounts of roadside areas that witness high volumes of traffic. Others would include finely ground silica dust from construction sites, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and benzene, formaldehyde as well as furans, dioxins, mercury, cadmium and lead, the latter of which are released through the burning of plastic materials, as well as any industrial process that uses plastic in its production line (plastic recycling plants or factories that produce plastic containers, casings or goods).

When is pollution at its worst in Karachi?

Observing the data taken over 2019, pollution seems to find itself highest at the beginning and end of the year, a trait which is mirrored in all cities in Pakistan. The cleanest months are April through to June, with numbers of PM2.5 coming in at 18.2 μg/m³ in April, 16.1 μg/m³ in May (making it the cleanest month of the year) and 18.1 μg/m³ in June.

After this, levels of PM2.5 went up gradually, indicating that the amount of smog, haze and smoke would be far more prominent in the atmosphere. October saw a leap up to 44.9 μg/m³, followed by 67.1 μg/m³ in November and 75.9 μg/m³ in December. The month that came in with the absolute worst levels of pollution was January, with a reading of 86.7 μg/m³, putting it into the ‘unhealthy’ ratings bracket. This means that air at this time of the year would be extremely dangerous for all sections of the population to breathe.

Is air quality improving in Karachi?

Observing the date from years past, it appears that pollution levels in Karachi are actually getting worse rather than improving. In 2017, Karachi came in with a PM2.5 reading of 38.5 μg/m³, and then followed with a slight improvement of 33.7 μg/m³ in 2018. This of course was followed by the more recent reading of 40.2 μg/m³ in 2019, which shows that overall levels of year-round pollution have indeed gotten worse.

This would be due to the lack of any significant changes to polluting sources, and if Karachi is to see improvements in its level of pollution, initiatives such as the fining of over polluting factories, home businesses or open burning offenders would go a long way to reducing pollution levels and getting large amounts of dangerous chemicals out of the air. Other initiatives would include the eventual removal of ancient vehicles off the road and a move over to cleaner fuel sources.

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The state of pollution levels of Karachi harbour and adjoining coastal water

1997, Water, Air, and Soil Pollution

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Essay on Pollution in Pakistan and Its Causes

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. Essay on Pollution in Pakistan and Its Causes Solution.

In 2015, pollution killed 9 million people in the world. Major forms of pollution include: Short essay on pollution in Pakistan, Environmental Pollution in Pakistan English Essay Air pollution, light pollution, littering, noise pollution, plastic pollution, soil contamination, radioactive contamination, thermal pollution, visual pollution, water pollution. Pakistan is one of the developing countries which are sustaining the pollution problem. Traffic congestion is one of the main causes of air pollution. The usage of old transports is ruining the situation. No prevailing laws are strictly implemented as a result factory exudes their smoke into the air. Simultaneously wasted poisonous substances are excreted in the water of rivers and lakes which is causing water pollution.

The conditions exacerbate in the urban areas. In some predominant areas main roads are windened but the status is worst inside the streets where with all the air and water pollution, people throw the garbage on the streets. Pollution in Pakistan is persistently increasing and on the other hand healthy environmental policies are not on the priority list, resulting the spread of the diseases for instance asthema and lungs cancer etc.

Water Pollution: this is a major problem in Pakistan. There are many sources of water pollution in Pakistan. Most of them are found in Karachi as it is an area of industries. Although it is a government policy to filter the industrial water and then release it into the sea many industries here are dumping contaminated water in seas thereby increasing the threat of extinction of marine life as well as polluting the water. Almost the whole of city’s sewerage is dumped into rivers and the sea. As a result of this Karachi is facing many problems in the access of clean water and most parts of the city are still without water.

Land Pollution: As Pakistan is not a rich country, it doesn’t have enough money to spend on waste disposal systems. As a result most of the home waste and other kinds of wastage is usually thrown away on empty plots next to the houses and is then burned which may be harmful to the people living in the area. Only less than 5% of the waste is recycled and most of it is disposed directly on the ground. There are only a few garbage cans along the roads so people living far away have to dispose off their waste somewhere else.

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This is to draw the attention of the higher authorities to take serious action towards the air pollution problems in Karachi. The air of Karachi is highly polluted due to automobiles, smokes emitted by rickshaws, car, bikes and other vehicles. Burning of garbage, fossil fuel based power plants exhaust from industrial factories and plants and construction activities. Pakistan’s largest city Karachi is under the grip of multifarious pollutions due to lack of government’s environment friendly policies. Pollution is rising with each passing day as there is no proper check and balance system. Air Pollution affecting people’s health causes disease like asthma, bronchitis, lung and skin ailments. Air is required to breathe and if air is polluted, then how could a person live a long and healthy life?? The higher authorities should take some serious action towards this matter.

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Problems of Karachi Essay | 200 & 500 Words

by Pakiology | Apr 23, 2024 | Essay | 0 comments

Explore the multifaceted challenges faced by Karachi in this comprehensive essay. From overpopulation to traffic congestion, and water scarcity to political instability, discover the key issues affecting this bustling metropolis in our “Problems of Karachi Essay | 200 & 500 Words.”

Problems of Karachi Essay 200 Words

Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, grapples with a myriad of complex issues that impact its diverse population, including students. Overpopulation, a pressing concern, strains resources, and infrastructure, leading to housing shortages and traffic congestion. The latter not only wastes valuable time but also contributes to air pollution and economic disruptions.

The city’s infrastructure is in decay, with potholed roads and inadequate public transport hindering students’ daily commute. Moreover, a severe water crisis, unequal water distribution, and contamination pose health risks, particularly for children. Energy shortages disrupt students’ study routines and hamper economic growth.

Political instability, ethnic tensions, and corruption further compound Karachi’s problems. Crime and security concerns, from street crimes to extortion threats, disrupt daily life and education. Environmental degradation, including air pollution and coastal erosion, jeopardizes the city’s future.

Educational challenges, such as limited access and varying educational quality, add to the city’s woes. The digital divide, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, has exacerbated educational disparities.

In conclusion, Karachi faces a complex web of problems that affect students and residents alike, ranging from overpopulation and traffic congestion to water scarcity, political instability, and educational challenges. Addressing these issues requires collective efforts to ensure a better and more livable future for all in this vibrant metropolis.

Problems of Karachi Essay 500 Words

Introduction.

Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan and its economic hub, is a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and economic opportunities. However, beneath its surface lies a myriad of complex and pressing problems that impact the daily lives of its residents. This essay aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the problems faced by Karachi, catering to all types of students, ranging from school to college levels.

I. Overpopulation

One of the most glaring issues plaguing Karachi is overpopulation. With a population of over 14 million (as of my last knowledge update in September 2021), Karachi is Pakistan’s most populous city. This rapid population growth has resulted in various challenges:

A. Housing Shortage: The city lacks adequate housing facilities to accommodate its ever-growing population. This has led to the emergence of informal settlements, commonly known as katchi abadis, characterized by substandard living conditions and a lack of basic amenities.

B. Strain on Infrastructure: Overpopulation places immense stress on infrastructure, including roads, public transport, and utilities. Traffic congestion is a daily ordeal for residents, leading to time wastage and increased air pollution.

C. Resource Scarcity: Overpopulation exacerbates the scarcity of essential resources such as water and electricity, leading to frequent shortages and increased prices.

II. Traffic Congestion

Karachi’s traffic congestion is a problem that affects everyone, from schoolchildren to working professionals. The city’s road infrastructure is inadequate to support its population’s vehicular needs, resulting in numerous issues:

A. Time Wastage: Commuters in Karachi often spend hours stuck in traffic, leading to productivity losses and stressful daily routines.

B. Air Pollution: Prolonged traffic congestion contributes to air pollution, which poses serious health risks to residents, particularly children and the elderly.

C. Economic Impact: Traffic congestion has a negative impact on the city’s economy as it disrupts the movement of goods and services, increasing costs for businesses and consumers.

III. Infrastructure Decay

The deteriorating state of Karachi’s infrastructure is a critical issue that affects students and the general population alike:

A. Poor Road Conditions: Many of Karachi’s roads are in disrepair, riddled with potholes and cracks, which not only cause traffic congestion but also pose safety hazards for commuters.

B. Inadequate Public Transport: The city’s public transportation system is outdated and inefficient, making it challenging for students to commute to schools and colleges.

C. Sanitation Problems: Karachi faces sanitation issues due to inadequate waste management infrastructure. This leads to unhygienic conditions that can contribute to the spread of diseases.

IV. Water Crisis

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental right, but Karachi faces a severe water crisis:

A. Unequal Distribution: Water is distributed inequitably across the city, with some areas receiving a more consistent supply than others. This disparity affects students’ ability to study and maintain good hygiene.

B. Contamination: Contaminated water sources in some parts of Karachi pose health risks, especially for children, who are more susceptible to waterborne diseases.

C. Groundwater Depletion: The over-extraction of groundwater has led to a decline in the water table, further exacerbating the water crisis.

V. Energy Shortages

Karachi, like many parts of Pakistan, grapples with energy shortages:

A. Frequent Load Shedding: Unplanned load shedding disrupts students’ study routines, making it difficult to rely on consistent electricity for lighting and electronic devices.

B. Economic Impact: Energy shortages also have a significant economic impact, affecting businesses and industries in Karachi, which, in turn, affects job opportunities for college graduates.

VI. Political Instability

Political instability has a far-reaching impact on Karachi’s problems:

A. Governance Challenges: Frequent changes in local and provincial governments have hindered long-term planning and the implementation of sustainable solutions to the city’s problems.

B. Ethnic Tensions: Karachi is known for its ethnic diversity, but political instability has sometimes fueled ethnic tensions, leading to violence and disruptions in daily life.

C. Corruption: Corruption within the bureaucracy can hinder development projects and the equitable distribution of resources.

VII. Crime and Security

Crime and security issues in Karachi are a concern for students and residents alike:

A. Street Crimes: Incidents of street crimes, such as theft and muggings, can make students and their families anxious about their safety.

B. Extortion: Some businesses and individuals face extortion threats, impacting their ability to operate freely.

C. Impact on Education: Security concerns can disrupt education, making it difficult for students to attend school or college regularly.

VIII. Environmental Degradation

Karachi’s environment is deteriorating rapidly, which can have long-term consequences for students:

A. Air Pollution: High levels of air pollution can lead to respiratory problems, affecting students’ health and concentration in school.

B. Coastal Degradation: Karachi’s coastline is under threat due to industrial pollution and unplanned development, impacting its natural beauty and ecosystem.

C. Climate Change: Karachi is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and sea-level rise, which can have far-reaching consequences for students’ lives.

IX. Educational Challenges

Finally, Karachi faces unique educational challenges:

A. Limited Access: Many children in the city, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, struggle to access quality education due to a lack of schools and resources.

B. Quality of Education: Even when schools are available, the quality of education varies widely, affecting students’ academic development.

C. Digital Divide: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the digital divide in Karachi, where many students lacked access to online learning resources.

In conclusion, Karachi, Pakistan’s largest and most populous city, faces a multitude of interconnected problems that affect students and residents of all ages. These problems include overpopulation, traffic congestion, infrastructure decay, water and energy shortages, political instability, crime and security issues, environmental degradation, and educational challenges. Solving these issues requires concerted efforts from government authorities, civil society, and citizens. It is crucial for students to be aware of these problems and actively engage in finding solutions, as they represent the city’s future. Karachi’s challenges are immense, but with the right approach and commitment, they can be overcome to create a better and more livable city for all its residents.

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The ecology of Karachi Essay

Introduction, ecology of the city, works cited.

Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan. It is the main financial center and also the largest seaport in the country. The city has an estimated population of about 15 million people which makes it one of the world’s major cities in the world in terms of population.

Karachi harbors numerous industrial and economic activities. Thus, it forms the center for banking and industry in Pakistan. The major corporations present in this city are automobile industry, textile, shipping and medical research. This paper discusses how the emergence and development of this city has impacted the environment and the ecosystem throughout the years.

Karachi is a city built at the cost of the Indian Ocean. This means that the city has major interactions between the human population, the fauna and flora, and the environment of the city. The Karachi coast has a diversity of flora such as green sea weed that grows at the rocky shores (Ghani para. 4). These weeds are a source of food and shelter for the epifauna of the coast.

Karachi’s industries cause a great impact on the environment. The industries discharge their industrial effluents to the coastal areas. These cause the coastal area of Karachi to be badly affected by the industrial and untreated sewage at the harbor. A survey done on the sea water of Karachi harbor reveals that the industrial effluent and untreated sewerage causes eutrophication of the sea water. This means that the eutrophication that causes growth of microorganisms such as bacterial has a detrimental effect on other sea dwelling organisms.

The effluent is usually carried along to the Karachi harbor through the Lyari River. Since the tides of the Karachi harbor are semi diurnal type, the effluent is not completely flushed out. This means that there is a poor circulation condition that causes hydrogen sulfide to be produced. The hydrogen sulfide is known to cause stress on the marine organisms (Saleem 1).

In addition, poor development of infrastructure is believed to increase the impervious surface area of the city. This causes flash floods and run-off that may increase erosion and non-point pollutants if the water is not channeled properly. It is also important to note that impervious ground reduces the rate of groundwater recharge (URC 3).

Other pollution sources include the release of green house gases by the Karachi industries. Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are produced by these industries thereby contributing to global warming. The increased number of motor vehicle usage causes excessive release of carbon monoxide which is harmful if inhaled by humans (Kumar and Chaturvedi 172).

The effects of the growth of this city are more disadvantageous especially if not checked. Thus, the increased in the demand for housing in Karachi also creates a poor environment that the people are exposed to live in.

It is worth noting that the city is trying to tackle these environmental problems through various programs that involve industrial and solid waste management. Solid wastes generated by the city are managed by way of recycling. The informal sector is involved in performing the functions of waste management. The waste management program has helped reduce the negative impacts of waste on the environment such as diseases and eutrophication.

Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan. It is the main financial center and also the largest seaport in Pakistan. Karachi harbors numerous industrial and economic activities. Karachi’s industries cause a great impact on the environment.

The industries discharge their industrial effluents to the coastal areas causing eutrophication. Other pollution sources include the release of green house gases by the Karachi industries. Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are produced by these industries thereby contributing to global warming. Karachi city is trying to deal with ecological and environmental problems mainly by way of waste management.

Ghani, Naseem. Diversity of Green Sea Weed Fauna of Karachi Coast . N.d. Web.

Kumar, Nagesh & Chaturvedi, Sachin. Environmental Requirements and Market Access: Reflection from South Asia. Academic Foundations, New Delhi. 2007. Print.

Saleem, Monawwar. Study of Heavy Metal Pollution Level and Impact on the Fauna and Flora of the Karachi and Gwadar Coast. National institute of oceanography. Project number 50022801. (2002).

URC. Land Use Trends from Karachi Strategic Development 2020. N. d. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2024, January 26). The ecology of Karachi. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-ecology-of-karachi/

"The ecology of Karachi." IvyPanda , 26 Jan. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/the-ecology-of-karachi/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'The ecology of Karachi'. 26 January.

IvyPanda . 2024. "The ecology of Karachi." January 26, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-ecology-of-karachi/.

1. IvyPanda . "The ecology of Karachi." January 26, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-ecology-of-karachi/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The ecology of Karachi." January 26, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-ecology-of-karachi/.

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Water sanitation in Karachi and its impact on health

Prince kumar.

a Faculty of Medicine, Dow University of Health and Sciences, Pakistan

Fatima Arshad

Sean kaisser shaheen, arsalan nadeem.

b Faculty of Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan

Zarmina Islam

Mohammad yasir essar.

c Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul, Afghanistan

Karachi is the largest city and premiere industrial and financial center of Pakistan yet is subjected to major infrastructure deficits. Of primary concern is poor water sanitation which has predisposed a weak healthcare system and its citizens to increased infectious diseases. In Karachi, causes of this include a mismanaged sewage system, poor urban planning, and overcrowding. Several reasons such as lack of funding, corruption, and mismanagement have exacerbated circumstances placing extra strain on Karachi's already scarce water supply. In addition, lack of maintenance and regulation of the existing system has led to increased contaminated water delivery to citizens. Consequently, outbreaks of various water borne diseases such as typhoid, helicobacter pylori , malaria, diarrhea etc have severely impacted healthcare of citizens, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is worsened by Karachi's rapidly growing population and lack of awareness among citizens regarding safe drinking water. Prior socioeconomic disparities, and illiteracy complicate access to medications and appropriate healthcare services. However, despite weak efforts from the government, several national and international organizations continue to strive to improve access to clean, drinkable water.

1. Introduction

Water sanitation is the process of cleaning and filtering water for the purposes of making it safe for drinking, bathing, cooking etc [ 1 ]. According to the World Health organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), globally, as of 2020, around 1 in 4 people were determined to be lacking access to potable water in their place of residence [ 2 ]. Particularly, in Pakistan, an estimated 70% of households drink water contaminated with bacteria [ 3 ]. However even in Pakistan, there are differences between rural and urban environments in general and even differences between urban environments themselves. In Karachi for example, data gathered by research officers of the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) estimates that up to 91% of drinking water is unsafe to drink [ 4 ]. This is in stark contrast to the data collected by the same council in which they found that only 62% of drinking water out of the 29 major cities tested across Pakistan to be unfit for consumption [ 5 ]. Furthermore, there are differences in respect to time and in this case an unfortunate one, as a current primary concern is the increased contamination of water through the years. This is evidenced by PCRWR reports conducted in 2015–2016 which find that only 57% of water samples in major cities were contaminated [ 5 ].

Poor water sanitation is a cause of concern for a multitude of reasons. For example, in Pakistan, about 50% of all diseases and 40% of deaths occur due to poor quality of drinking water [ 6 ]. Secondly, the leading cause of death in infants and children is diarrhea, a waterborne disease. The root cause of waterborne diseases is water with the addition of municipal sewage and industrial waste at various sections of the water distribution network. This coupled with the inefficient and sometimes nonexistent water disinfection and water quality checks at treatment plants [ 6 ] are major contributing factors to the high rates of water contamination. Given the circumstances of the pandemic, prior sanitation issues, and the lack of adequate research, it is imperative to address the health impacts of the deteriorating environmental conditions. This is especially so within the context of Karachi where the growing population needs and governmental dysfunction at the municipal level is expected to worsen the already pre-existing health burdens. Therefore, this article's aim is to bring awareness to the present issues regarding the poor sanitation standard and practices in Karachi, Pakistan, as well as the current efforts surrounding water sanitation and lastly identify challenges with corresponding recommendations to tackle the issues.

2. Challenges

Multiple factors, ranging from poor infrastructural management to incompetent local authorities, have led to inadequate water sanitation in Karachi.

Lack of appropriate infrastructure along with the increasing population and corruption amongst officials appear to be the most significant factors contributing to Karachi's water problems. Karachi Water and Sewage Board (KWSB) supplies 665 MGD (Millions of Gallons per Day) of water while the estimated demand is 820–1200 MGD [ 7 ]. Moreover, this gap is expected to grow along with the city's growing population, and to meet the increasing demand many illegal water hydrants have been installed across the city. KWSB officials report these illegal hydrants have led to theft of 30 million gallons of water along with revenue losses of around Rs 1.3 billion annually [ 8 ]. To make matters worse, some KWSB officials have been criticized for taking bribes and underreporting many of the illegal hydrants which has masked the true economic impacts of such theft [ 9 ].

Leakages, ineffective management, and lack of future planning are all serious obstacles faced by water sanitation services in Karachi. Numerous household and drinking water pipelines run parallel to sewage discharge pipelines and occasional leakages are caused by lack of regular cleaning, especially post monsoon season [ 10 ]. This has led to the bacterial contamination of an already scarce water supply, indicating poor management and incompetency of local authorities [ 10 ].

Microbial and chemical contamination have made the situation worse, and chemical waste from factories along with agricultural run-off such as pesticides and fertilizers further pollute the city's water. Reports indicate that 31 out of 107 samples of ground water had a pesticide count beyond the permissible limits set by World Health Organization (WHO) [ 11 ]. In addition to chemical contaminants, high levels of Escherichia coli (E.coli) were found in Karachi's water sources and the city's water was labelled as the most contaminated water in all of Sindh by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources' (PCRWR) research teams [ 12 ]. This excessive contamination of groundwater means it requires treatment before it is safe for consumption and yet only 62% households receive water with any prior treatment while 1.91 of the 2.16 million cubic meters (mcm) of wastewater remains untreated on a daily basis [ 10 ]. Furthermore, many residents have complained that the water tastes salty or looks cloudy and have often found insects crawling in it. This has led many to purchase bottled water from private organizations [ 12 ].

Socio-economic disparities make affordability of bottled water a challenge, especially for 8.9% of Karachi's population which lives below the poverty line [ 13 ]. The situation is worse in overcrowded and unplanned settlements like Orangi, which accommodates most of the city's poor population [ 12 ]. The dire situation is indicated in reports which show that some neighborhoods in Orangi did not receive water from the main pipelines for 33 days [ 12 ].

The inadequate sanitation along with a growing population has led to many adverse health impacts for Karachi's citizens, such as the increased spread of many diseases like typhoid fever, the causative organism of which is found mainly in contaminated water and undercooked food [ 14 ]. There has been a recent surge in extensive drug-resistant typhoid cases and overcrowded slums with poor sanitation infrastructure prove to be ideal breeding grounds for these microorganisms [ 14 ]. The situation is further complicated by the spread of COVID-19, which presents with symptoms similar to typhoid fever, making differential diagnosis difficult [ 15 ]. As previously stated, Karachi's water is highly contaminated with E. coli which increases the prevalence of diarrhea. This along with high figures of open defecation (25 million) in Pakistan further contaminate the water [ 16 ]. Open defecation could further accelerate the spread of diseases like rotavirus and Helicobacter pylori , both of which are transmitted by direct or indirect contact with an infected person's feces [ 17 , 18 ]. Lastly, diseases like malaria and dengue can also spread through contaminated water as the vectors for these diseases, Anopheles and the Aedes mosquitos respectively, breed in pools of stagnant water [ 19 , 20 ]. Overall these water-borne diseases exert a significant burden on the city's healthcare system and urgent efforts must be made to improve the sanitation services in Karachi.

3. Efforts and recommendations

In accordance with the SDGs, Pakistan's vision 2025 addresses the plights of water security and aims at increasing water storage capacity, with improved agricultural efficiency and availability of clean drinking water [ 21 ]. Goal six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calls for ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, water use efficiency, and integrated water resources management. Nevertheless, inadequate efforts have been made to prevent the consequences of Karachi's water crisis [ 22 ].

Of note, a campaign titled “#Fixit” founded by a social worker, Alamgir Khan was started in January 2016 in Karachi and developed into one of the fastest developing NGOs [ 23 ]. It highlights and advocates for solutions for social, civil and political issues faced by the community. The campaign has highlighted water and sewerage issues in distinctively creative ways involving the government officials to raise awareness amongst the masses [ 24 ]. Another NGO titled “Hisaar Foundation” has been operating since the past 14 years with extensive work done on building the cooperation to shift the water paradigm through a “think tank” on rational use of water, universities for water network, and several programs on low-cost solutions with relevance to the water-food-livelihood nexus [ 25 ]. WaterAid is an international NGO that established its first office in Pakistan in 2006 and provides technical assistance to the government for clean water, proper sanitation and good hygiene [ 26 ].

According to a citizen report card, residents of most towns of Karachi suggested that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) should first prioritize water availability and then address water cleanliness [ 27 ]. The chronic problems of supply and distribution must be addressed to avoid further pressures on a worsening system. Major reforms in leadership and recruitment policies must be adopted to ensure modern water utility are run by trained personnel [ 28 ].

Residents heavily contribute to the problems of distribution and contamination of water supply by “stealing” water with barely any identifiable trace of theft due to punctures in the mainlines which run under the ground [ 22 ]. Sewerage gets mixed into the water through these punctured points ultimately contaminating the supply at a large scale. Residents must ensure periodical cleaning of water tanks to avoid the risks of such contamination. Some areas lack supply of water for many days or weeks at stretch [ 22 ]. Such damaged pipes must be replaced swiftly by the water board as the insides of these pipes develop biofilms which are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria that multiply exponentially in a short period of time [ 22 ].

Water filtration and desalination plants in coastal areas should be installed to compensate for the exponentially increasing water shortage. A good example would be the solar-powered plant established near Mubarak Village, some 42 km from the heart of Karachi, which started producing clean drinking water at a capacity of 5000 L per day [ 29 ]. UNICEF proposes water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to ensure a safe and clean community with adequate water and sanitation for every child [ 30 ]. Solutions under WASH include ending open defecation through communities accepting toilet usage as a regular habit in their lives, improving quality of water through providing support to the government to build frameworks, and promoting WASH in schools as well as health facilities to ensure healthy habits such has hand washing among students [ 30 ].

4. Conclusion

Karachi's water supply and sewage system needs immediate attention from the government and adequate planning to accommodate the rapidly increasing population and urbanization of the city to avoid a severe crisis in the future.

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All authors equally contributed.

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Conflicts of interest

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Short essay on pollution in Pakistan

The amount of air pollution in Pakistan’s major cities like Lahore and Karachi is 20 times higher than the World Health Organization standards. There are layers of smog, dust and smoke that exist over Karachi. There is also a prominent smell of gasoline that infiltrates air. Islamabad which is the capital city of Pakistan is known to be covered with thick layer smog that actually keeps hidden the view of Margalla hills.

So pollution is very prominent and exists to a threatening level in Pakistan. It comes from cars, factories and other such sources and Pakistanis are daily breathing polluted air. It is unfortunate that only a couple of people actually are aware of the depth of its effects on their and their children’s health. Pollution is known to cause coughing, sore throats and nasal discharge. In extreme cases it can also lead to asthma, tumors, lung damage and death. The first step to avoid pollution is to educate Pakistanis about pollution, its description, its causes, its effects and ways to control it.

Now ways to control pollution is to firstly read up all you can about pollution, the internet is a great source of information. There are many environmental organizations as well that have informative websites on ecology and pollution. Try and find as much as you can online and search for articles that explain pollution in a straightforward manner. Those organizations that are not on the web try and find out if they have pamphlets about pollution and its effects and what citizens can do about it. After gathering all the information and compiling it, try and get it translated in Urdu, make sure there are no copyright issues. Try and get a professional translator if you can. The next step is printing; this would require some funding, if funding is too expensive then try and get donations.

Afterwards distribute the work amongst family and friends, give it to a couple of newspapers, so it can be published and could benefit the masses. Also in order to help schools teach about pollution, you could visit these schools see how children are taught and provide teachers with your work to help them have better material. Another way to help is by writing or developing articles to give to the visitors coming into Pakistan, the topic of these articles would be how a visitor to the country can keep him or herself healthy from the effects of pollution when he visits.

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Creating a website about pollution is also another magnificent way to educate others about the topic. It will be of use to Pakistanis all around the globe, it even may encourage others to do something about pollution and fight it. The website could also comprise of translated pamphlets, information about what people can do about pollution in Pakistan and other such information. You can also include links to other sites that talk about that topic.

Then last step is trying to reach those organizations in Pakistan that are known to be number one polluters. Start a campaign in newspapers and on your websites which tries and makes them accountable for their acts. By exposing them you could motivate them to take up certain measures. But make sure you also take steps to appreciate the industries that are making an effort to keep the environment clean.

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Earth Day: How a senator’s idea more than 50 years ago got people fighting for their planet

FILE - Climate activists hold a rally to protest the use of fossil fuels on Earth Day at Freedom Plaza, April 22, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE - Activists display prints replicating solar panels during a rally to mark Earth Day at Lafayette Square, Washington, April 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File)

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Millions of people around the world will pause on Monday, at least for a moment, to mark Earth Day. It’s an annual event founded by people who hoped to stir activism to clean up and preserve a planet that is now home to some 8 billion humans and assorted trillions of other organisms.

Here are answers to some common questions about Earth Day and how it came to be:

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY?

Earth Day has its roots in growing concern over pollution in the 1960s, when author Rachel Carson’s 1962 book “Silent Spring,” about the pesticide DDT and its damaging effects on the food chain, hit bestseller lists and raised awareness about nature’s delicate balance.

But it was a senator from Wisconsin, Democrat Gaylord Nelson, who had the idea that would become Earth Day. Nelson had long been concerned about the environment when a massive offshore oil spill sent millions of gallons onto the southern California coast in 1969. Nelson, after touring the spill site, had the idea of doing a national “teach-in” on the environment, similar to teach-ins being held on some college campuses at the time to oppose the war in Vietnam.

Nelson and others, including activist Denis Hayes, worked to expand the idea beyond college campuses, with events all around the country, and came up with the Earth Day name.

WHY WAS APRIL 22 CHOSEN FOR EARTH DAY?

A history of the movement by EarthDay.org, where Hayes remains board chair emeritus, says the date of the first Earth Day — April 22, 1970 — was chosen because it fell on a weekday between spring break and final exams and the aim was to attract as many students as possible.

IS EARTH DAY A REAL HOLIDAY?

It’s not a federal holiday. But many groups use the day to put together volunteer events with the environment in mind, such as cleanups of natural areas. You can see a list of events worldwide , or register your own event, at EarthDay.org.

HAS IT HAD AN IMPACT?

It has. The overwhelming public response to the first Earth Day is credited with adding pressure for the U.S. Congress to do more to address pollution, and it did, passing landmark legislation including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. More broadly, it’s seen as the birth of the modern environmental movement. In later years, Earth Day expanded to become a truly global event. It now claims to have motivated action in more than 192 countries.

In 2000, Earth Day began taking aim at climate change, a problem that has grown rapidly more urgent in recent years.

WHAT’S THE THEME THIS YEAR?

This year’s Earth Day is focusing on the threat that plastics pose to our environment, with a call to end all single-use plastic and find replacements for their use so they can quickly be phased down.

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