Karachi: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on Monday revealed its dispatch of a second reminder to four civic agencies on reports of waste-dumping in the sea (along the Clifton beach), according to a news source. As per the publication, SEPA had earlier issued a notice to the aforementioned government authorities in December 2019, which was followed by the first reminder in January 2020 — but they failed to respond to the regulator.
The government departments in question that were issued a reminder included the Cantonment Board Clifton, Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, District Municipal Committee of District South, and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board. They were all urged to do away with the practice of dumping solid waste into the sea, due to the great harm it posed to marine life and the surrounding habitat.
In
case of failure to comply with SEPA’s order, legal action will be undertaken against
the accused authorities under the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014 (SEP
Act 2014). It should be underscored that under the SEP Act 2014, the director
general of SEPA is authorised to take legal action against all agencies
responsible for the safe disposal of solid and hazardous waste if they fail to adhere
to the agency’s regulations.
