Experts urge action on Karachi's environmental decline

KU moot warns implementation gap is worsening pollution and climate-related threats

IV Report

KARACHI: Environmental experts, academics and civil society representatives have warned that Karachi's worsening environmental conditions reflect a widening gap between awareness and action, urging authorities and citizens alike to move beyond rhetoric and adopt practical measures to address climate change, pollution and unplanned urbanisation.

The concerns were raised at the Climate Matters Conference, organised by the Institute of Environmental Studies (IES) of the University of Karachi (KU) in connection with World Environment Day 2026. The conference was themed “Inspired by Nature, for Climate, for Our Future” and focused on the challenges posed by climate change and rapid urban growth.

Speakers noted that Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and economic hub, is facing mounting environmental pressures ranging from shrinking green spaces and deteriorating air quality to unmanaged solid waste and the discharge of untreated sewage into coastal waters. They observed that despite growing public awareness of environmental issues, implementation of policies and behavioural change remain inadequate.

Addressing the conference, KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi said climate change was no longer merely an environmental concern but a challenge affecting every aspect of human life. He stressed that teachers, students, policymakers and citizens all had a responsibility to contribute towards environmental protection.

Prof Iraqi said Pakistan possessed the knowledge and expertise required to tackle many environmental problems, but implementation remained the weakest link. Referring to measures such as restrictions on plastic bags, he noted that legislation and awareness campaigns could only succeed when backed by effective enforcement and public compliance.

Warning of future water shortages, he said society continued to show negligence towards water conservation and environmental stewardship. He also expressed concern over Karachi's transformation into a "concrete jungle," where unchecked construction and loss of vegetation were contributing to rising temperatures, more frequent heatwaves and a declining quality of life.

Dr Amir Alamgir, an IES faculty member, highlighted what he described as contradictions in public and institutional responses to climate change. While tree plantation campaigns were frequently promoted, he said extensive tree cutting continued in the name of development projects and housing schemes.

Citing research on Karachi's urban tree cover, he noted that cemeteries often contained the highest concentration of mature trees because they experienced relatively limited human disturbance. He stressed that environmental improvement would require sustained behavioural change at both individual and collective levels.

IES Director Dr Farrakh Nawaz described climate change and environmental degradation as major national challenges. He said Karachi's air quality had reached alarming levels, posing significant health risks to residents, while the city generated nearly 16,000 tonnes of solid waste daily. He further noted that hundreds of millions of gallons of untreated wastewater were discharged into the sea every day, underscoring the urgent need for improved waste management and environmental governance.

Representatives from the private sector also voiced concern over the city's shrinking green cover. Speakers noted that Karachi's green cover had declined dramatically over the years, while rapid urban expansion continued to place additional pressure on already fragile ecosystems.

Participants agreed that environmental protection could not be achieved through conferences and speeches alone. They called for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations, protection of urban forests, responsible waste management, sustainable urban planning and greater public participation.

The conference concluded with a collective pledge by participants to support practical and coordinated action involving government institutions, academia, the private sector and civil society to help secure a healthier and more sustainable future.

The conference was also addressed by Mahboob Alam Khan and Riaz Ahmed of Meezan Bank, Dr Hina Mudassir of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, and representatives of civil society organisations.

 

 

Photos courtesy: KU