Dumping of Waste- A Threat to The Environment

Dumping of garbage and waste by restaurants is one of the biggest threats to wildlife and animals. Proper disposal of waste is crucial or else it leads to multiple problems such as diseases and land pollution. In cities like Karachi and Islamabad we are see this as a problem growing by each passing day.

In Islamabad, Marghalla Hills is home a lot of wildlife, however due to the increasing number of restaurants in the area, we see a lot of adverse effects on the wildlife. The increased dumping of waste causes a lot of diseases not only in the human beings but animals as well which may result in them eventually dying. Another issue is that in order to build these restaurants, at times there is a need to cut down trees to make the place more accessible, this leaves the animals displaced from their homes.

In Karachi we are witnessing a lot of restaurants being built near the water. Sea View and Do Darya have a belt of cafes and restaurants on it. Though these eateries give a fantastic view and ambiance to its visitors, we see that these restaurants lack a proper waste disposal system and they dump their all the waste in to the water. As per the stats available on the International Trade Administration website the Government of Pakistan (GOP) estimates that Karachi, being the biggest metropolitan city of Pakistan, generates more than 16,500 tons of municipal waste daily. Like the hills, the water bodies are also home to a lot of marine life. When the wastage in dumped in the water, we see a negative impact on the marine life with a lot of fishes dying in the water and many fishes consuming the waste material which makes them unusable for the fishermen. The dirty water also contributes to acid rains which causes multiple diseases and ruins plants and crops.

Having a proper disposal system in the urban cities is crucial to help preserve the environment and safe the animals. The government needs to take strict measures to control the situation. The restaurant owners and the visitors also need to play their part. Dispose the garbage properly in the dustbin instead of throwing it in the water or on the land. Avoid the usage of plastic as much as possible and adopt a habit of recycling materials such as bottles. A little effort from all parties can make a huge impact overall.