KARACHI – Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad has directed that immediate measures be taken to keep the Keenjhar Lake safe from contamination and hazardous effluents.
He issued instructions to this effect to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Irrigation Department and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB). Dr Ishrat stressed that the provision of safe drinking water from the lake as well protection for marine life be ensured. A statement on Thursday said that the governor took stern notice of the reports regarding the mixing of hazardous effluent in the Keenjhar Lake water.
He had sought a report in this connection from the Managing Director of the KWSB within six hours.The Managing Director KWSB reported that the hazardous effluent was coming through two natural storm water drains. The effluent was reportedly coming into these drains from industrial area of Nooriabad, the report said.
The report warned that addition of more effluent would result in increasing toxic level rendering it unsafe for human consumption.
He maintained that the Keenjhar Lake was under the administrative control of the irrigation Department.
The Governor directed the concerned officials that prompt and effective measures be taken to prevent the effluent from creeping in. He instructed that the factors for the prevailing situation should be determined.
He stressed that concrete steps be taken to stop possible mixing of effluent in the coming rains.
He directed the Irrigation Department to undertake every step to keep the lake water safe, ensure provision of clean drinking water and protect the marine life.