Karachi’s Coastal Waters Declared ‘Dead Zone’ for Marine Life

ARACHI: The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Technical Advisor, Moazzam Khan, has declared Karachi’s coastal waters as a ‘dead zone’ for marine life due to extensive human activities.
Speaking to Geo News on World Oceans Day, Moazzam Khan highlighted that approximately 500 million gallons of sewage are discharged into Karachi’s sea every day. This pollution has severely impacted marine life, spreading about 10 kilometers beyond Karachi Port.
Khan stated, “The Karachi Port and its surrounding areas have been declared dead zones for marine life due to the extensive pollution.” He explained that around 10 key marine species have become extinct in the Karachi Port area due to the contamination. Pollutants from the Lyari River, Malir River, and various other small and large drains flow into the sea, exacerbating the issue.
Moreover, the areas around Gulbai and Machar Colony are also highly polluted and devoid of marine life. “No marine life is found around Gulbai and Machar Colony due to the severe pollution,” Khan added.
The alarming state of Karachi’s coastal waters underscores the urgent need for addressing environmental pollution to protect marine ecosystems.