Sindh Govt to Register FIRs Against Garbage Burning
The Sindh government is set to take stringent action against individuals involved in burning garbage on roads, announcing that First Information Reports (FIRs) will be officially registered against offenders. This decisive step aims to combat the persistent environmental hazard and public health threat posed by the practice.
Authorities often cite an increasing number of private waste collectors as contributing to the problem, with accusations of them setting accumulated garbage ablaze. However, it is an open secret that certain elements may see financial benefits in this method, saving on transportation costs to official disposal sites.
New Regulations Aim to Curb Illegal Garbage Disposal
A pivotal meeting of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), chaired by Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah and attended by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, led to this significant decision. The aim is to hold individuals, regardless of their affiliations, accountable for environmental damage.
SindhNews.com has learned that the SSWMB Managing Director, Tariq Ali Nizamani, briefed the attendees on the current situation. The consensus was reached for the immediate registration of FIRs against anyone found burning garbage.
Mayor Wahab, who also serves as the SSWMB chairman, emphasized the need for financial penalties alongside legal action. “I think we should also impose financial penalties on those who carry out such illegal practice which causes environmental damage and badly affects our drainage system,” he stated.
Addressing the Scale of Waste Management Challenges
Data presented by an SSWMB spokesperson revealed that a substantial portion of the city’s daily waste does not reach designated landfill sites. Karachi reportedly generates over 14,800 tonnes of solid and municipal waste daily, making it a significant waste-generating hub in the region.
However, only an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 tonnes are successfully transported to landfills each day. This shortfall contributes to the improper disposal methods, including burning and dumping into drainage systems. SindhNews.com notes that private collectors often sort recyclables before disposing of the remainder.
The Local Government Minister directed that contracted companies must possess adequate resources and operate around the clock with tracked vehicles. Enhancing coordination between the SSWMB and local union councils (UCs) and towns was also highlighted as a critical step.
While the decision to register FIRs has been welcomed by some local officials, concerns remain regarding its practical implementation. A town chairman in the East district pointed to a “serious disconnect” between the SSWMB and town administrations, questioning the coordination required for effective enforcement involving police, town bodies, and the SSWMB itself.
The new policy signals a firm stance by the Sindh government to tackle waste burning, aiming to improve environmental conditions and public health in Karachi.