Caretaker Sindh Information Technology and Environment Minister Jam Karam Ali has stressed the need for the protection of water reservoirs from pollution.
Speaking at the seminar on "Water Quality Monitoring Programme in Sindh," organised by Sindh Environment and Alternative Energy Department (E&AE) at a local hotel on Saturday, he said that E&AE to play its role for the development of water resources.
The minister was of the view that pollution of the other provinces was severely damaging the River Indus, which should also be checked and called for proper steps to make it a pollution-free river. During the last one year, industrial and agriculture wastage has badly hit the water reservoirs in Sindh due to which the scale of biological and chemical pollution has increased phenomenally, he noted.
Jam Karam Ali said at present, lake water was not appropriate for domestic and agricultural consumption because of contamination. The pollution menace is very serious, he said, and added that it could put negative impact on human life.
He said that increasing industrial activities were also responsible for pollution in the province giving rise to agricultural problems. The minister said that Sindh had also already limited water resources, which should be protected on priority basis. Calling upon growers, he said that drainage water should not be used for irrigation purposes for its contamination, which could put adverse effects on crop production. He warned of severe consequences of water pollution on life in the province.
Environment & Alternative Energy Secretary Mir Hussain Ali, Sindh Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) Director S.M. Yahya, Environment DG Abdul Malik and Irrigation Secretary Shujah Ahmed Junejo expressed their views during the seminar. According to the final draft of Water Quality Monitoring Programme in Sindh, the country's population stands at 141 million while it is expected to reach 221 million by 2025.