Karachi out of breath!

Rising levels of chemicals in the air such as Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide are adding more to Karachi's pollution. Further rise in the toxicity levels of these chemicals will create a catastrophe in all busy hubs of the city that is virtually choking itself

By Hammad Bashir Siddiqi

Critical limits of sustenance with high levels of Nitric Oxides (Nox), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and particulate matter have reached in Karachi and any further addition of any polluting system that may increase their concentration is likely to break hell loose. This has been reported in a recently concluded report on the environmental assessment of Karachi titled 'Feasibility Study and Development of Transportation Control Plan of Karachi Metropolitan', prepared for City District Government Karachi (CDGK). The report conducted by a team of scientists led by Dr Arshad Ali Beg, ex DG Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) revealed that the worst pollution was witnessed along the central business district  extending from Liaquatabad No 10, Gurumandir, Old Numaish, Moulvi Musafirkhana, Shaheen Complex, Preedy Street, Empress Market, Metropole, Teen Talwar, Gizri Road, Baloch Colony, Mauripur Road, Gul Bai Intersection and Gulshan Chowrangi. According to the study, the major culprits behind this scenario are smoke belching commercial vehicles, inappropriately tuned engines and rickshaws causing din in a city trying hard to catch its breath.

With the ever-increasing number of vehicles on the roads, the total emission from gasoline, diesel oil, LPG and CNG during 2000-2001 was 2,503,791.52 tons/year. With the rise in the number of vehicles to 1.4 million in 2005, the emissions also rose to 4,741,350 tons.

According to the report, the major cause of pollution in Karachi is the smuggled fuel in use. Reportedly, as much as 40 percent fuel being used in vehicles plying on Karachi's roads are from smuggled sources. It is pretty 'unrefined' hence only multiplying its deleterious effects due to higher proportions of pollutants. Improperly tuned up engines are the second main cause of pollution of road environment, which are causing low levels of Oxygen (O2) leading to a reducing atmosphere and consequently higher levels of CO, Hydrocarbons (HC), Hydrogen (H2) and Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) in the exhaust emissions. Preliminary analysis of data on automobile engine performance indicates that conversion of gasoline driven engines to CNG is causing an increase in NOx emission well beyond the permissible limits suggested by World Bank (WB) as well as World Health Organisation.

Similarly, emission of particulate matter from rickshaws remains high despite their conversion to LPG and their use of cheap lubricants owing on their double stroke engines. It is now a common observation that while driving on Karachi roads even on a balmy evening one experiences nausea, heat and humidity in the immediate surroundings despite being far away from the sea. This coupled with the miasma and an average rise in temperature by 3-5 degree centigrades in the microclimate is a direct result of the pollution around us. The study has also found that the average pollution level of NOx concentration is higher by a factor of 1.14-1.21; CO by 0.67-1.11; particulate matters (PM10) by 1.06-2.06 when compared with that suggested by WB guidelines while the level of SO2 is lower by a factor of 0.38-0.51, and O3 0.16-0.28.

It was found that concentration of total suspended particles (TSP) exceeds 300-450 ug/m3 along the sampled area some of which are open to the flushing action of wind, whereas the WHO limit for suspended particulate matter is 120 ug/m3. Similar is the case with Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) in TSP whose concentration ranges in each case between 2.5 and 4.12 ug/m3 both show higher values than the limits set by WHO and United States Enviornmental Protection Agency (USEPA). On the other hand, the noise level deviates by a factor of 0.87-0.95 applied on the National Environment Quality Standards (NEQS), which are suggested to be 85 dB(A) exceeding the WB guidelines by a factor of 1.06-1.17. The concentration of CO, NOx, as well as PM10 are in excess of 5 µg/m3, which is the maximum limit suggested by WB guidelines for maintaining the status of air sheds in the unpolluted category. This, according to Dr. Beg "implies that the threshold limits for survival under hazardous environmental conditions have been reached and any further addition to the existing pollution level could be catastrophic." Against this backdrop that one should take note of the WHO reports, which suggest that three million people now die each year from the effects of air pollution.

A study published in The Lancet in 2000, concluded that air pollution in France, Austria, and Switzerland is responsible for more than 40,000 deaths annually. About half of these deaths can be traced to air pollution from vehicle emissions.

In early 80s, perpetual smog would hang over M.A. Jinnah Road during the rush hours. The condition has only worsened more as now the haze hangs virtually on most of the 26 spots sampled for quality of air during the survey provided they are not subject to the flushing action of the wind. The lethal cocktail of ozone, CO2, CO, SO2 and NO reduce oxygen of the surrounding environment and increase humidity. The amalgam proves damaging for the soft tissues of eye, skin, nose, throat and lungs. It has been found that pollutants interact with the blood haemoglobin reducing its oxygen carrying capacity. Out of 200 samples 134 showed significant alteration in the blood picture. Their haemoglobin level on an average was 15.09 g/dl, Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC) 5.36, MCH 28.01; MCHC 31.52; while the eosinophils count was 3.55. In the normal cases, the haemoglobin level is at an average of 16.73 g/dl. The RBC is 5.81, the MCH is 28.65; MCHC is 32.52; while the eosinophils count was 2.57 for subjects who remain at the intersections of the corridors for over six hours.

The report suggest that "since the alteration in blood picture is significant for the type of samples studied, it could be suggested that air pollution related to transportation has an important role in inducing ill-health among the sampled population at the impacted sites." It was also observed that the hearing of about 70 percent of the volunteers at the surveyed sites was also impaired and is mostly related to din and smoke causing rickshaws. The irony is that in 2002, the then DIG Traffic, Saud Ahmad had introduced environmentally sound 'silencers' for the rickshaws which not only contained the harmful particulate matter as well as the deafening pitch, but the project was scrapped following the DIGs transfer.

Back in 2002, a medical study involving nearly 1000 traffic cops was conducted to find out the impact of environmental pollution on their health. Saud Ahmad who also headed the Police Public Medical Care Project found horrifying scenario commissioned the study. According to Dr. Syed Safdar Hussain who examined the traffic police, as many as 80 percent cops reported chronic ENT problems, 40 percent showed signs of problems associated with lungs some of which developed into asthma and TB. Due to nearly 10-hour job on the road amidst smoke and blowing horns almost 90 per cent showed symptoms of irritability and tension; 45 per cent of the cases ranging in 35 to 50 years of age suffered from hypertension. Most of these traffic cops had 10 years of service and they manifested body pains as well. However, these figures were not absolute as they needed a much-detailed study and these disorders can't be taken in isolation as they are also related to nutrition levels.

However, the fact remains that pollution genie is out of the bottle horrifying both the oblivious and clueless citizens and an insensitive government.

The following table shows the overall mean values of the maximum, minimum and averages of the different pollutants and noise levels at the different observation points

                    SO2 ppb                             NOx ppb                             CO ppm                            CO2 ppm

          Max          Min          Avg          Max          Min          Avg          Max          Min          Avg          Max          Min          Avg

Maximum          40          18          25          241          35          154          17          4          10          616          254          413

Minimum          19          10          16          195          20          79          10          2          6          356          160          225

Average          34          15          22          226          28          115          14          3          8          520          215          334

                    PM10 µg/m3                     O3 ppb                             Toluene µg/m3                  Noise dB(A)

          Max          Min          Avg     Max    Min          Avg     Max    Min          Avg     Max    Min          Avg

Maximum          490          149          309          47          10          22          79          29          47          99          75          82

Minimum          315          40          159          30          5          13          25          9          14          80          58          74

Average          430          90          242          37          7          18          50          17          31          87          68          78

Education: The boat is sailing with the wind

By Filza Baig

The boat of the education system has never sailed smoothly in Pakistan and especially in Sindh. Thunderstorms and monsoon seasons have been a continuous threat - thus the boat often oscillates at one place. To analyse, the boat is sailing with the wind, with no fixed destination and route.

The education system rooted itself from the day of independence, and now almost 60 years later, remorsefully one has to conclude that the circumstances have been the same. The scenario has not changed and the education system is surviving consistently amid chaos and disorder. The whole situation has not even permitted the ever-changing education ministries to stick to certain specific policies. The new ministers enter erupting volcanoes in the ever-juggling education system. Each of them, tries to introduce something new and create a revolution overnight, which is obviously practically not possible thus making all these ministers come and go without accomplishing the desired task. The process has been going on for long and there is hardly any hope for improvement. The Urdu-Sindhi controversy for the intermediate students is still unsolved by the Sindh Education Department. Then, they have been unable to decide, whether to introduce composite exams at SSC-level or not. On the contrary, some schools, while declined by the others welcomed the rescheduling of the academic session.

The students and their parents are left wandering with queries and assumptions as what is actually happening? The system is in shambles, totally mismanaged from the primary to the secondary levels. Is there anyone to intervene and make our education sector flourish?

The students have also been made to stick to the mast, following the same pattern and not using their brains. In a recent intermediate examination, a question of previous year was repeated, the students were found bewildered, grumbling for the sudden variation in the paper. The introduction of formula education is the only reason why student don't want to make efforts and follow the whole syllabus. Coaching Centres are another mafia that has become the monarch over the span of years, with 90 per cent of students depending on coaching centres, where the same professors of their respective colleges who don't take the responsibility of teaching at the colleges are teaching the same students after charging high fees from them. The students remain helpless, since they are taught not to go by book but by certain tricks. On the other hand, the parents, spending lot of money, pressurise the students to secure high marks. With the increasing competition, they have to face the crisis of getting admission into professional institutions.

The height of wrong doings is that recently in an intermediate paper, a whole numerical was found wrong by the invigilators at one centre. It was informed to other centers as well. In some examination centres the question was corrected, whereas, at few others no one bothered. Was it deliberate or a mistake? Who is responsible? Were the seniors  sleeping while making the paper? And who rechecked it?

Education is the backbone for the progress of a country. A flourishing nation is the one who is literate and can serve its native land, with all the abilities and hard work. Education teaches a man, shows him the difference between right and wrong, broadens his mind and opens the world in front of him. To make a consensus, only those countries of the world are developed, who are educated.

We need to go a long way. Our education system will remain so, until and unless the whole infrastructure is not revamped. It comes out as a humble request and a twinge from the heart of thousands, to the ignorant educators to stop playing with the youth of today and leaders of tomorrow and provide them with quality education.

Ice, Ice Baby

By Ambreen Vahidy

Summer is here with the sizzling heat, sweating necklines and parched throats. On every lip, there is a thirst for a fresh cool glass of water, if nothing more. However, Karachi is one city where innovation is the bet. Thus, people come up with all kind of ideas to meet the challenges.

Considering 'gola ganda' as one of the most popular summer treats among children and adults alike, Mohammad Saleem and his younger brother Mohammad Qadir thought of bringing some 'ice cool' relief to Karachi.

"There was a time when crushed ice candy, or 'gola ganda' was the talk of the town. In the 1960s and 1970s, when the city's water supply was not as polluted as it is today, it was quite commonly available all over the city. Today its popularity is just as high as it was in the yesteryear, but they are seen at specific localities," said one lady while buying the ice ball.

Dhoraji Colony is one such place where people running the gola ganda business have concentrated.

One such hot spot for the ice lovers is the 'Saleem Qadir Uncle Gola Wala'.

Set up by their father Abdul Shakoor Sr, Mohammad Saleem and Mohammad Qadir have been carrying their father's work since last 25 years. They are one of the oldest gola sellers in the area. With a total of six brothers and two sisters, the Qadir walas have a big family to support. Mohammad Saleem is married with three daughters and a son.

In a candid conversation with Mohammad Saleem, Citypulse found out about his business, discovered how a gola ganda is made, and how it truly deserves to be called an 'ice' treat.

"It is a profitable business and we are surviving through. The prices have gone up from 25 paisas per gola from the days of my father to Rs 15 per gola today," said Saleem.

Having tried his hand at everything from taxi driving to driving a school van, Mohammad Saleem found success nowhere. He firmly believes that the gola ganda business is his most profitable one so far and he manages to earn between Rs. 1000 and 1500 in a day on an average. He also adds that he has not expanded his business because of his health and that he is quite content with the present locality of his pushcart.

"My clientele is mostly families in cars, driving up from as far as Defence, Clifton and Gulshan lured by the creamy caramel toppings of the icy golas," added Saleem.

He sets up his shop from 12 noon to 4:00 am every night and his cold product sells like hot commodities virtually everyday.

Now, one must be enticed to know how a yummy bowl of icy delight with delicious toppings is actually made. Saleem proudly showed us around his thela pointing out to his disposable utensils, copper platters and other ingredients as if he was the master chef of his own kitchen. Adding a pack of jelly with pineapple to a mixture of nuts (Cashew nut and Raisins) topped with condensed milk and sugarcoated syrups is all set to eat.

The gola gandas are made with crushed ice, the hygiene standards of which are questionable. However, Saleem assures that he uses ice made from clean water.

With the temperature rising to 45 degree Celsius, the gola ganda sellers have a field day nowadays, selling from morning till midnight at affordable prices of Rs. 15 and 20.

School and college going girls and boys can be seen quenching their thirst away and rightly so - it's a wild man's weather, to say the least. The weather is simply not excusing anyone, be it young, old or child. The ice sweet delicacy as it appears to young kids is a favourite for them, soon after they are seen loading off their vans from school.

Just the thought of it is mouth-watering, one must honestly confess! Though there has been a lot of awareness about the water borne diseases, but the safety standards for health must be excused just 'once' for the fun of enjoying it occasionally.

Saleem further informed "with the rising awareness for diabetes, we have kept even a diet gola for the health conscious customers. We utilise artificial sweetener instead of sugar."

Saleem is a happy man and his business is thriving. His customers are seated in their cars and are just as happy enjoying the icy treat. What more could a businessman ask for? Perhaps, Saleem has finally found his destiny and the days of 'gola ganda wala aya' are back in town to stay!

City LIMITS

By Farhat Anis

With June already on our heads, everyone's attention is focused on the tax fever which is getting higher and higher. June is not only hot for the fact that the scorching sun is giving the most hard time to the people of Karachi, but factually speaking, it is the tax phobia that catches on to people real fast. Moreover, with an acute shortage of water, the broken roads and power breakdowns nothing more can happen to make the citizens more miserable. The most desired thing at the moment is rain, though; it is something people are dreading to face with the whole city being dug up leaving gaping holes and craters all over. The city planner portrays a horrifying picture of the city bringing deaths, electrocution and drowning if the road repair work doesn't speed up. A city like Karachi, which has the most inefficient civic system, may create massive pollution for the citizens in case if it rains now.

June also brings the annual budget for the state while deciding the fate of people as how much more inflation they will have to face in future. Unfortunately, the prices of petrol have increased, and the transport fare has also gone up. The 'Pollution Free Campaign' initiated by the Traffic Police has further added to the miseries with the ongoing strikes and protests.

The businessmen are full of dismay with the whole situation, which again not only puts them in uncertainty but the whole economy is also at stake. Anyways, good or bad, news from Islamabad will continue to be the major market mover.

June is also important for the students and the teaching community as it brings the longest holidays of the year for them. Almost all of the schools in the city have been closed down from the following week. As summer vacations approaches, plans are made as to where the summer vacations should be spent. Parents as well as kids want to do everything in their vacations. They want to watch movies, go shopping, visit museums and other historical places, visit the zoo and of course check out all those alluring restaurants in the city.

If a outstation holiday trip is not possible, why not to try and explore Karachi - the 'City of Lights' as it still has got a lot in store to offer. There is so much to see for an onlooker going around the city on foot. Besides the ever-admired seashore, the Jet Fountain, Bagh-e Jinnah, Karachi museum and Zoo; what one shouldn't miss are the Wazir Mansion, Mohatta Palace and Quaid-e Azam House. Few amusement parks and a mini zoo have opened along the highway too. The lift chair at the Safari Park is the new attraction for Karachiites.

So, keep it up and have a nice time during the long vacations!