Environmental research

Incremental Housing Development Scheme, KKB-3 for low-income people on 60 acres of land is a part of a Taiser Town housing scheme (No 45) of Malir Development Authority (MDA) which consist of 21,000 acres. The scheme KKB-3 is entirely self- financing as there is no subsidy in the cost of plot. Provision of service is linked with cost recovery in the shape of installments. A plot of 80 sq. yd. is offered to a family against Rs. 37,000/- of which Rs. 8000/- is to be paid as a down-payment and remaining Rs. 29,000/- in easy installments of Rs. 300/- to 600/- per month over a period of 8 years. Out of 1776 plot, 1200 plots have already been allocated. 1100 families have already been started living on their plots after construction on incremental basis with their own money, whereas 100 plots are under construction. The external development including provision of water supply is the responsibility of MDA. However in view of the paucity of funds, lack of technical capability of MDA and shortage of water in Karachi, water will not be available in near future. At present water is being supplied through tankers and residents of KKB have to spend Rs.1000 1200 per month per family on water which is quite expensive and an un-necessary burden on low income people. In view of the water supply problem being faced by the residents of KKB-3, and as an interim arrangement, water pumping through windmill was found most appropriate, cost-effective and environment-friendly. Hence it was decided to provide water supply through windmills and hand pumps. KKB-1 at Kotri is an old scheme which was taken up in 1987. In this scheme most of the development work has already been completed on self-financing basis. At present wastewater of the entire scheme is being used for tree plantation by using electric motor pumps. Since supply of sewerage water for tree plantation through electric motor was found expensive and inefficient due to frequent power break downs it was found appropriate to use windmill for pumping purpose this method is cost-effective and also environment-friendly. The main purpose of the project is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and thus reducing green house emissions and also develop alternative sources of energy which should not only be cost-effective, but also sustainable in the long run. The project aims at demonstrating that the use of windmills for water supply and disposal of sewerage will not only reduce pollution but will also prove to be a dependable and cheap source of power. If replicated, this will go a long way in addressing basic issues of water supply, sanitation and better environment for the low-income people both in urban and rural areas.

Pakistan