KARACHI: Environment experts have warned about the continued increase in the sea level with the passage of time adding that if proper measures were not taken, coastal areas, cities including Karachi, Dhaka etc would be at risk.
The experts expressed these views amid a seminar, organised by Sindh Madressatul Islam University’s Department of Environmental Sciences in collaboration with the Directorate of Students’ Affairs and Counselling on hazardous plastic and environmental challenges at the Senate Hall of SMIU on Wednesday.
Environmental expert Sheema Siddique said that soil erosion by sea causing a huge threat to our agricultural lands and human lives adding that the Indus Delta was dying due to the increase of the sea level. She further said that 3.3 million tons of plastic waste were going into seas, and feared that by 2050 there would be no fish in the oceans if such a moment of waste was not stopped.
Siddiqui stated that eating utensils were posing an alarming threat to human and marine lives, therefore, people should utilize steel and clay-made utensils for food instead of plastic. “Due to excessive use of plastic utensils for food might lead to cancer, tuberculosis (T.B),” she said.
Other experts were of the view that due to climate change particularly after COVID-19, all four seasons have been mixed, which also prolonged the cold weather till April with no or a short Spring season this year. They were also worried about the irregularities in the rain seasons including the recent unexpected snowfall in some northern parts in April.
Govt Urged to Take Measures for Clean Environment
The speakers also demanded the government and the public to spread awareness about the consequences of environmental changes and urged the government to come up with suitable arrangements that could at least lessen the damages caused by the heavy floods in the country.
Earlier, Dr. Hina Shehnaz, Incharge Chairperson of the Department of Environmental Sciences welcomed the guest. Khalid Hassan, Lecturer, Department of the Environmental Science of SMIU conducted the proceedings. A huge number of students and faculty members also attended the seminar.
