09/01/2021
Pakistan is party to a number of international conventions and treaties for protection of the environment and biodiversity. Under the obligations of these treaties and agreements, Pakistan has vowed to protect its marine environment as well. Despite all this, one of the biggest issues Pakistan is facing right now is environmental degradation. This not only depletes Pakistan’s resources but is also affecting human life adversely.
The environment of Pakistan is being degraded in several ways, one of which is oceanic pollution. Despite being part of the London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, Pakistan throws all sort of waste into the sea, including plastic bags, bottles, sewage, and potentially infectious hospital waste. The hazardous industrial waste eventually finds its way into the sea. The fish and other marine life swallows small particles of metals, plastic, and toxic substances. Completing the food chain, these fish are eaten by humans and the toxic substances can severely damage their immune systems. In other words, humans are bringing death to themselves.
Increasing dumping of hazardous waste, including cow dung, untreated water, and industrial waste, and a large quantity of plastic into the sea is severely affecting the fisheries resources, which in turn negatively impacts the economic conditions of fishing communities highly dependent on these resources. According to research conducted by WWF, 65 percent of the litter on the coastal areas consists of plastic bottles, wrappers, bags, disposable utensils, etc.
Pakistan must not allow untreated waste to be dumped into the sea.