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Case for Internationalizing Pakistans first Research Centre on Waste managment

The following is a paper read and circulated by the CEO of Gul Bahao, Nargis Latif among the 400 participants of a South Asian Conference on Sanitation held in Kathmandu recently.

Case for Internationalizing Pakistan’s First Research Centre on Waste management

The port city of Karachi having 20 million souls is the 6th most populated metropolis of the world generating more than 12,000 tons of garbage in a single day. In addition its economic wealth at this point in time (which is seeing rapid industrialization) makes it an ideal case study in waste management. What is more an organization by the name of Gul Bahao, an environment based organization during a period of 20 years and a budget of more than $90,000 has succeeded in covering several aspects of waste management from small extremely simple but highly effective products like mobile toilets to a most sophisticated futuristic concept like the Garbage n Gold Bank, it has dwelt into multiple dimensions of waste management. A massive campaign called “You give us garbage, we give you Gold” was conducted for more than 2 years which inter alia invited people especially the vibrant cottage industry and the informal economy to separate garbage at source.

The philosophy of Gul Bahao (literally meaning Flow flowers) is that there is a close nexus between environment and the economy. That garbage is in fact raw material for both industry and agriculture. At Gul Bahao Centre, research on both macro and micro level is been conducted.

The world over waste material is being used creatively but more for decoration purposes. Plastic packing material forms a bulk of inorganic waste. Then furniture is being made from packing material. The world famous “Silver block” a modular block designed at the Centre and used alternately as swimming pool, a two storied house etc. The raw material used is plastic waste which is otherwise burnt in the streets of Karachi causing toxic fumes and severe air pollution. The usefulness of these recycled products ensures that their raw material will not be mixed up with other kinds of organic waste.

At the centre the researched products are commercially viable products like cattle feed, Instant Compost Fuel Packets (Look at the attached pamphlet). As a result of Gul Bahao’s persistence in advocating recycling of gutter water two important steps were taken by the government of the day. One of these was a ban on using fresh water in lawns and encouraging use of gutter water in horticulture so that fresh water is not polluted by sewage water. This lead to a healthy growth of nurseries using gutter water. Secondly during the time of sacrifices of animals the offal’s and other organic waste used to be lying around for days in the streets. But a proposal from the Research Centre to the local bodies to bury en-mass the entrails and other filth of the dead animals lead to a complete change in the situation.

Thousands of people consisting of University students, NGOs, government officials and school going children as well as the media have visited the Research Centre. Its website is very mush visited and even used for writing theses by research students. It is located in one of the most developed areas of the metropolis, right on the main road.

We are all conscious of the fact that environment degradation cannot be allowed to go unchecked. On the other hand to say that industrialization and development must be stopped because of environmental pollution they create is not a workable solution. The answer lies in conducting research with different kinds of materials being thrown up by industry and human life. Attempts in this direction have been extremely fruitful. Not only have they helped in controlling pollution and unsanitary conditions they have led to innovations of great use to people.

The time has now come for the world community to avail the fruits of this research facility located in the metropolis of Karachi. The Gul Bahao Research Centre has been there for the last twenty years and can be linked up with other organizations the world over through internet facilities as well as through visits. What is important is financial help to keep it sustainable. Waste management is a very challenging subject. At this point, I appeal to organizations all over the world to chip in and help sustain this facility, with the aim of helping to control environmental degradation.

Chandi Ghar technology discussed with Chief Secretary Sindh

Yesterday, Gul Bahao’s Nargis Latif met the Chief Secretary Sindh Mr.Ejaz Chaudry. She lamented the fact that the government has not been able to take advantage of Gul Bahao’s research work in disaster management and rehabilitation. Nargis said that Gul Bahao had set up Chandi Ghars in Mansehra division during the earthquake of 2005 and then again during the floods of 2010 in Muzzafargarh and Thatta. According to her the Chandi Ghar has taken more than 16 years to evolve and has now won international acclaim through CNN and Voice of America. What is more she said that the educated middle class of Karachi has contributed heavily in Gul Bahao’s research work. Thousands of people living in Karachi have been in involved with their physical labor while others have contributed their hard earned money in it.

Nargis Latif informed the chief secretary Sindh that the Chandi Ghar is ideal for earthquake prone areas. When a conventional house made of bricks is hit by an earthquake it is reduced to rubble and cannot be put up again. On the other hand the blocks of the Chandi Ghar are modular and can be put up again in a matter of hours to form any kind of structure with the minimum of skills even after a massive earthquake strikes it.

The Chief Secretary replied that he had already sent a summary about the Chandi Ghar to the PDMA to coordinate with other relief agencies. Later in the day the managing trustee of Gul Bahao met with the director operations Mr Akhlaque Qureishi director operations of PDMA who assured Nargis Latif that his department would support both the immediate and long term goals of Gul Bahao. i.e helping to put up Chandi Ghars in the earthquake hit areas of Baluchistan and more important to introduce the Chandi Ghar as a model for relief and rehabilitation.

Talking to the press Nargis revealed that Gul Bahao has succeeded in putting up the world’s first Chandi Ghar assembling plant in Karachi. It has access to tonnes of raw material of the Chandi Ghar blocks which are basically left over clean plastic from some big factories of Karachi.

Chandi Ghars for flood affectees

Dear Sir,

Gul Bahao has been putting up prefabricated structures called Chandi Ghar for the last several years. The Chandi Ghar made its debut in the earthquake of 2005 in the Mansehra region. With the passage of time thanks to continuous research and experimentation we have come up with a product which is quick to put up long lasting, clean, good looking and very cost effective (between Rs,15,000 – 25,000 ) So far in the last several years we have been able to put up more than 80 Chandi Ghars in Mansehra, Muzzafarghar and Thatta as well as the slum areas of Karachi.

Now we plan to put up 10 ‘x12’ sized Chandi Ghars in flood affected areas of the country with the help of other NGOs as well as through administrative help from the government of the relevant districts at the earliest possible.

The importance of this scheme lies not only in the immediate putting up of these houses but also as a model to be emulated all over the world.

I therefore appeal to you in all earnestness to support us by donating for as many houses as is possible. We on our part will make sure that your help is acknowledged and publicized.

Yours Sincerely,
Nargis Latif (Managing trustee Gul Bahao)

Zakaat for Gul Bahao

Aslama Alaikum.This is to request you to give your Zakaat to Gul Bahao. As you are aware Gul Bahao has been working tirelessly for the upliftment of the society since the last seventeen years.Thousands of people in Karachi have benefited from Gul Bahao’s scheme, “Kachra Do Sona Lo”. While Gul Bahao has discouraged scavenging from garbage dumps it has given the alternative of the Safai/Kamai Bank where wastage is bought and sold in a scientific and hygienic manner. Through this scheme Gul Bahao is fighting for its goal of employment unlimited. Poor people are being shown how to earn money honestly.

Eleven lacs worth of pre fabricated shelters were sent to earthquake areas. We have even provided very low cost shelters called “Chandi Ghar” to the poorest of the poor when their huts were burnt. During the last one year we provided houses to the flood affectees Muzzafargarh and Thatta.

Our research center which is also working as a disaster management center has developed many other products and concepts of tremendous use to the common man. These include:

1. Low cost subsidized housing.
2. Water purification techniques.
3. Cheap fodder for livestock
4. Alternative energy for lighting stoves etc

We have also conducted advocacy programs for the dissemination of authentic translations of the Holy Quran. This has been in the form of exhibitions producing cards, lectures, reading to the general public.

In order to achieve all this the Organization has had to give tremendous sacrifices in terms of money, time and peace of mind.

I shall be extremely grateful if you would deposit your zakat by western union. For information about making a donation please contact us or inform us on telephone numbers 32250452, 03012754469 and 03338869491 or by SMS.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Nargis Latif,
Managing Trustee, Gul Bahao

Pakistan’s first Environment Museum inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Karachi University

People of Karachi traveling on the NIPA bridge witnessed a rare spectacle on Environment Day. A 20′ x 40′ beautifully constructed prefabricated “Chandi Ghar” glittering and shimmering in the blazing sun. A twenty member group of the alumni of Karachi University called Unikarians headed by the Vice chancellor of Karachi University had come to inaugurate Pakistan’s first Environment Museum.

Nargis latif the chairperson of Gul Bahao showed the group around an impressive display of recycled products invented by the organization. “There are lots of people making handicrafts from waste material. But Gul Bahao’s mission is to recycle in order to make commercially viable products”, she revealed.

At the entrance to the museum was the Gardens in the Air. The visitors were amazed to know that spinach,onions, cattle feed etc was being grown 20 -30 ft. Above the air in small shoppers containing manure made from municipal waste. Another section of the museum showed the latest venture of the organization. Waterproof tarpaulins made from shoppers and wrappers (packing material). Nargis said a good deal of waste generated from factories is clean waste which may be considered virgin material and treated like any other raw material.

A huge water reservoir was the Centre of attraction. Again the guests were fascinated to learn that the chandi blocks were converted into swimming pools as well as household furniture . The inside of the chandi hall was full of sofas, a master bed and tables tastefully arranged.

In his inaugural speech Vice Chancellor lauded the services of Nargis Latif and said that he has been following Gul Bahao’s activities for quite some time.