HYDERABAD: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa)imposed a fine of Rs100,000 each on two industrial units in Kotri SITE area due to violations of environmental laws and issued a notice to Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) to stop unauthorised dumping of solid waste and its burning within the city.

Speaking to Dawn on Saturday, Sepa Hyderabad regional head and deputy director Muneer Ahmed Abbasi said that after issuance of the notices to two industrial units and personal hearing of their representatives, Sepa had to impose the fine because of their serious violations of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act (Sepa) 2014, rules and regulations.

He said that Gul Paper Mill and Fibertex Mill located at Kotri SITE area were fined total Rs200,000 for want of functional treatment plants, personal protective equipment and discharge of waste water ultimately into the KB Feeder through local drains.

He said the units were asked to act upon instructions, submit undertaking and make their respective treatment plants functional within 15 days.

He said that Sepa also issued a notice to the HMC on Friday tostop the unauthorised dumping of municipal solid waste and its burning within the city area and on bank of Phulelli Canal within its jurisdiction.

He said that the HMC representative, Municipal Commissioner Shahid Ali, appeared in personal hearing held at the ofñce of Sepa director general Karachi on Oct 3 and explained his position regarding the violations.

He said that the municipal commissioner was directed to rectify the non-compliance with the environmental concerns about illegal dumping and burning of municipal solid waste on the bank of Phulleli Canalandits surroundings.

He said that as per directives of one-man judicial commission headed by Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro formed by the Supreme Court to monitor clean drinking water in Sindh, he (the municipal commissioner) should comply with laws and avoid practice of burning waste immediately.

He said that the HMC was given directions that it must evolve a comprehensive action plan for effective collection and disposal mechanism of waste, avoid disposal of waste into any freshwater body, avoid unauthorised dumping and burning of waste, ensure proper cleanliness and sanitation arrangements and produce the undertaking in this regard.