EIA of a theme park with a total cost of more than Rs.

75
millions near M-9 in an area between DHA phase 9 and
Bahria town Karachi

By:
Satesh Kumar
Ramsha Aijaz
Aamir Hussain
Introduction
Name of Project: Theme Park
Area of Project: Near M-9 in an area between DHA phase 9
and Bahria town Karachi
Name of Proponent: Theme Park developers Pvt. Ltd
Contact: XYZ Karachi
Name of Environmental consultant: USPCAS-W
Contact: Uzma Imran
Project Director
USPCAS-W, MUET
Tel: (XX-XXXXXX)
Email: (XXXXX.com)
 Introduction
Project description
The proposed project is roughly divided into 5 major types of
development areas. These areas consist of the Amphitheatre, the Water
Park Area, Dry Ride Area, the Natural area and the support services.
The main components of the facilities are as follows:
- Show area (amphitheater, shows, culture, music, costumes, events,
entertainment)
- Rides and Attractions (Adult and Children’s rides, wet and dry)
- Food and Beverages (Dining, night life, cuisine, formal restaurants
and fast food)
- Merchandise (retail opportunities, walk in stores, carts)
- Nature Preserve (Natural, botanical, animals etc)
- Educational (Cultural and Historical Pavilions)
Proposed Location
 The location of the proposed project is situated between Bahria town
and DHA phase 9 near M-9 road Karachi. The proposed area is 51
acres.
Proposed site
 Categorization
More than 75 million Theme Park project falls in Schedule II
requiring an EIA as the project is categorized as:
I. Urban development and tourism
(5) Large-scale tourism development projects
 EIA methodology adopted
Baseline
Scoping
Study

Assessment Impact
of Impacts Identification

Mitigation EMP &

Measures Monitoring

Review &
Documentation
Approval
& Submission
Process
EIA Study team
S. No. Name of Expert Position in EIA Team
1. Ms. Uzma Imran Project Director

2. Engr. Satesh Kumar Team Leader/Environmental Expert

3. Engr. Aamir Hussain Environmental Specialist

4. Ms. Ramsha Aijaz Environmental & Social Impact Mitigation Expert
5. Mr. Zohaib Ali Hydrologist
6. Engr. Javed Ali Environmental and Social Specialist
7. Mr.Ihsan Ali Social Surveyor
8. Ms. Maarij Memon Environmental Sampling and Monitoring Surveyor
9. Ms.Anjum Khand Technical Writer
10. Engr.Imran Saand Environmental Sampling and Monitoring Surveyor
11. Safia Shaikh Biodiversity Survey Expert
12. Mr.Mehran Ali Green and Sustainable Energy Expert
Description of Environment
Description of Environment
This section details the physical, biological and
socioeconomic environmental conditions of the
microenvironment and macro environment of the project
area. Discussion on the natural environment covers the
area's physical and meteorological features, geography,
topography, hydrology and climate and meteorology.
Overview of Flora and Fauna is included in the Biological
section. Description of socioeconomic environment include
history, demography, agriculture and livestock, education
and popular places.
 Projected area
- Location and Surroundings
 The proposed location is between Bahria town and DHA phase 9
near M-9 road.
 The park is located from 3.5 km away from bahria town and 5.2 km
away from DHA, district Karachi.
- Road Accessibility
 The proposed project is located near M-9 road approximately 0.6
km from M-9 road.
- Land Use
 There is no any vegetation at project site. The proposed project area
is 51 acres and there is no any other residential area near it except
Bahria town and DHA phase-9 which are bit away from it.
 Microenvironment and microenvironment of
projected area

 The microenvironment of the project area comprises the project site and
its immediate surroundings which includes Bahria town and DHA phase-
9.
 Microenvironment of the project is District Karachi with an area of
3,780 km² where the proponent has decided to establish a Theme Park.
Physical Environment
- Geography & Topography
Karachi is the capital of Sindh, is situated at a distance of about 162 Km
from Hyderabad, the proposed project is situated near M-9 road and
Baharia town, 25°0'51.43"N latitude and 67°20‘49.83"E longitude.
The city of Karachi has a land area of 3,640 km² and is located on the
Arabian Sea coast in the extreme south of Pakistan, the city is located at
24º45” to 25º15” north and 66º37” to 67º37” east. The city represents
quite a variety of topographic features such as the sea coast, islands,
sand dunes, swamps, semiarid regions, cultivated fields, dry stream
beds, sandy plains, hillocks. Gadap Town is a town located in the
northwestern part of Karachi with the Hub River on its western limits
also forming the provincial border between Sindh and Balochistan,
while to the north and east are Dadu District and the Kirthar Mountains.
Physical Environment
- Geography & Topography
During field survey it was observed that the topography of
the project site land is plain with no notable changes in
elevation, bushes & different types of wild plants were also
found across the location.
Physical Environment
- Geology
During field survey it was observed that the surface is bit
hard and rough.
Ground Elevation varies 120 m Above Sea Level
Physical Environment
- Climate
- Temperature
The climate of Karachi is characterized as hot and dry during
summer, and mild during winter with heavy, sporadic, rainfall
during the monsoon. Over the course of a year, the temperature
typically varies from 13°C to 36°C and is rarely below 9°C or above
39°C. While, the temperature of the Gadap basins was noticed in
May and June and predicated that it is much better (moderate) than
the more settled areas in Karachi city due to the greenery of the
area8. The southwest monsoon prevails from April to October in the
Karachi city. The monsoon is characterized by a reversal in wind
direction during the remaining months and heavy rainfall occurs
over most part of the Indian Subcontinent. Yearly mean maximum
and minimum temperatures of Karachi are provided below
Physical Environment
- Climate
- Temperature
Physical Environment
- Rainfall
The rainfall in Karachi is extremely low and erratic; most of the rainfall is
restricted to the summer monsoon months with sporadic rains during the
winter. Accordingly this region falls in the semi-arid climatic zone. The
amount of rainfall in Karachi averages about 140 mm annually but the
fluctuations are still there. Due to fluctuations in rainfall patterns, water has
historically been harvested through check-dams and small bands. These
check dams are the major source for recharging the underground water
reservoirs which is the backbone of the local agriculture in Karachi10.The
probability that precipitation will occur has been found to vary from
different days of July and August at Karachi throughout the 1992-2012
period. Over the entire year, the most common forms of precipitation are
thunderstorms, drizzle, and moderate rain. Thunderstorms are the most
severe precipitation observed and it mostly occurs in August. Drizzle is also
the most common precipitation which is mostly observed during the month
of July.
Physical Environment
- Rainfall
Physical Environment
- Relative humidity
The relative humidity typically ranges from 25% (dry) to
91% (very humid) over the course of the year, rarely dropping
below 10% (very dry) and reaching as high as 100% (very
humid).
The air is driest around February 9, at which time the relative
humidity drops below 33% (comfortable) three days out of
four; it is most humid around August 2, exceeding 83%
(humid) three days out of four.
Physical Environment
- Relative humidity
Physical Environment
- Wind Speed and Direction
The proposed project area lies in region where wind blows
throughout the year with highest velocities during the summer
months, when the direction is south-west to west. During
winter the wind blows from north to northeast, shifting
southwest to west in the evening hours. The wind usually
carries sand and salt resulting in severe corrosion and erosion.
The wind direction and speed between the two monsoon
seasons viz. summer and winter are rather unsettled and large
variations are noted both with respect to speed and direction.
Winds too, are dry and have a desiccating effect during May
& June. In July and August, winds contain moisture and have
a beneficial effect on the plant life.
Physical Environment
- Wind Speed and Direction
Over the course of the year, typical wind speeds vary from 0 mph
to 19 mph (calm to fresh breeze), rarely exceeding 29 mph (strong
breeze). The highest average wind speed of 13 mph (moderate
breeze) occurs around May 18, at which time the average daily
maximum wind speed is 18 mph (fresh breeze).
The lowest average wind speed of 5 mph (light breeze) occurs
around November 16, at which time the average daily maximum
wind speed is 10 mph (gentle breeze).
The wind is most often out of the west (31% of the time) and south
west (23% of the time). The wind is least often out of the south east
(1% of the time), south (2% of the time), east (3% of the time),
north west (5% of the time), and north (5% of the time).
Physical Environment
- Wind Speed and Direction
Physical Environment
- Ambient Air & Noise Quality
S. No Parameters Monitored values SEQS
Near proposed
project site

1 CO (mg/ m3) <1 10

2 PM10 (ug/m3) 80 150

3 PM2.5 (ug/m3) 30 75

4 CO2 (mg/m3) 364 ----

5 Noise Level (dB) 73 85

Physical Environment
- Water Resource
The Indus River and Hub River are the main source of fresh
Surface water for Karachi Division. The Indus River is
120km to the east of Karachi city.
The source of water for Bahria Town is from Keenjhar Lake.
Physical Environment
- Water Characteristics of Keenjhar Lake
Physical Environment
- Disaster Risks
The province of Sindh has historically suffered from both
natural and human induced disasters. The high level of risk is
mainly from floods/ heavy rains, cyclones in coastal area, sea
intrusion, droughts, earthquakes, epidemics etc.
The multi-hazard map that takes into account various natural
hazards identifies this area as earthquake dominant.
Physical Environment
- Disaster Risks

NHDA : No Hazard
Dominated Areas
EHDA: Earthquake
Hazard Dominated Areas
FHDA : Flood Hazard
Dominated Areas
CHDA : Combined
Hazard Dominated Areas
Physical Environment
- Faults, Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards:
Pakistan is located at the hub of three seismic plate boundaries as, Indian Plate
(east), Eurasian Plate (West) and Arabian Plate (South). First two are
continental plates while third is an oceanic plate. Indian plate activates and
subdue into north of Pakistan caused formation of Himalayan and Karakoram
mountain range along subduction boundary MBT (Main Boundary Thrust),
Arabian plate subduction into Eurasian plate along coastal line of Makran,
Baluchistan. Being located close to the collision boundary of the Indian and
Eurasian plates, Pakistan lies in a seismically active zone. Pakistan is located
in the Indus-Tsangpo Suture Zone, which is roughly 200 km north of the
Himalaya Front and is defined by an exposed ophiolite chain along its
southern margin. This region has the highest rates of seismicity and largest
earthquakes in the Himalaya region, caused mainly by movement on thrust
faults. Seismic zone mapping of Pakistan has divided the country into four
seismic zones ranging in term of major, moderate, minor and negligible zones
with respect to ground acceleration values. Under this zoning Karachi
Division has been identified on the edge of moderate to high hazard zone.
Physical Environment
- Faults, Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards:
Earthquake epicenters, for magnitudes between 3.8 and 5.5
ML, have been recorded along the Pab fault, Hab fault,
Ornach-Nal fault, smaller micro faults east of Karachi. Based
on the Global Seismic Hazard Map Project (GSHAP), the
peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 10 % in 50 years is 1.6
m/s2.
Physical Environment
- Faults, Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards
Physical Environment
- Faults, Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards
Physical Environment
- Faults, Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards
Biological Environment
- Flora and Fauna
During the survey and also from literature there was no flora
at proposed project area because of harsh land.
During the survey, near the projected area and M-9 road, only
house sparrow, house crow and common myna were found.

House Crow Common House

myna sparrow
socioeconomic Environment
The socio-economic baseline provides an overview of the social and
economic conditions of the project area based on primary and secondary
data sources. This overview helps in understanding the socio-economic
importance of the project area and contributes towards identification of
any social risks that the project proponents must be aware of during the
project design phase.
The socio-economic survey was focused on evaluation of population,
languages, educational facilities, health facilities, diseases, available
utilities, access to social amenities, road access, availability and medium
of transport, occupational statistics, water resources and pressing needs of
the people living in the area.
The specific tools used for primary data collection in the proposed project
area included direct observations, consultation and interviews from local
community representatives. The secondary data was obtained from
internet and published reports including previously conducted studies in
the proposed project area.
socioeconomic Environment
- Demographics
 Karachi is one of the world's largest populated cities, spread over
3,530 square kilometers. The city credits its growth to the mixed
populations of economic and political migrants and refugees from
different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins largely
come to settle here permanently. The projected area is near the
Bahria town which is most popular area of Karachi and also there
are few villages and towns near the projected area with few
industries and markets.
 According to census 2017 the population of Bahria town and other
villages is approximately 341413.
 Major ethnic group of proposed project area is Urdu speaking and
then the mixed population include Pathan, Memon, Saraiki,
Hazarewal, Baloch, Punjabi, Kachi, and Sindhi etc. The Average
household size is 4-6 members per family. Almost medium and
socioeconomic Environment
- Demographics
- Estimated population of various towns and villages
S.No. Villages/towns Population No. of Household

1 Bahria Town 6,780 1130

2 DHA phase-9 5,820 970
3 DHA city 9,060 1510
4 Gadap 70,825 11804
5 Noor Muhammad 60,744 10124
Goth
6 Goth Nabi Bux 48,066 8011
7 Chanesar Goth 42,546 7091

8 Juma Jokhio 38,996 6500

9 Dumba 32,730 5455
10 Konkar 25,846 4308
socioeconomic Environment
- Demographics
 Roads are the only source of communication and transportation
within the area and no railway station or track was found in the
area. New and strong network of roads is being developed in this
area for the development of proposed residential colonies,
education city and other associated infrastructures. The major
identified source of transportation for the people living within the
40 sq.km vicinity of the proposed project area is their own vehicles,
while few public transport vehicles includes mini busses,
Riskhaws, Taxis etc.; are also available in the area.
socioeconomic Environment
- Water Supply
 The water is supplied to Bahria town and other nearer
villages/towns is from Keenjhar Lake.
 The major source of providing drinking water in the proposed
project area is NSWS.
socioeconomic Environment
- Educational Facilities and source of Income
 Near the Bahria town there are many govt and private schools,
colleges and universities But not near the projected area and also
not even in few villages.
 The literacy rate near Bahria town and DHA phase 9 is 57%, and in
other nearer villages is around 16%.
 The 40% people are in govt. jobs, 20% have there own business
and 30% are on private and 10% is on daily wages.
 65% population income near the projected area is more than 40,000
per month
 18% population income is from 10,000 to 30,000 per month
socioeconomic Environment
- Health Facilities
 There is no any Health facility available in the projected area
except in few towns and villages. In the towns/villages there are
hospitals, basic health units, dispensaries and small clinics. The
major diseases of the area include Water Borne Diseases Malaria,
Hepatitis, Diarrhea, Gastrointestinal, etc.
 Fatima Hospital Baqai Medical University, Bahria International
Hospital, Noor Canser hospital, Dr. Gull Baloch clinic, Dow
Hospital.
socioeconomic Environment
- Major livestock present
 Major Livestock present in the nearer villages of goats, sheep,
cows, oxen, buffaloes, and donkeys.
Stakeholder consultation
Stakeholder consultation
 Stakeholders are individuals, groups, or institutions that may be
affected by and can significantly influence the project activities, or
are integral to the achievement of the objectives of a project.
Stakeholders can be divided into 2 broad categories; primary and
secondary.
 Primary stakeholders are those who have a direct interest in the
project which includes residents, commercial entities and
institutions falling in the project area. Secondary stakeholders
include the relevant government agencies and public interest
groups which may indirectly influence or be influenced by the
project. The concerns and input from both primary and secondary
stakeholders are important to identify the issues arising from the
construction and/or operation phase of the project and propose
mitigation measures that minimize the negative project impacts and
enhance the positive ones.
Stakeholder consultation
- Primary Stakeholders
S.No. Stakeholders

1 Bahria Town
2 DHA phase-9

3 DHA city
4 Gadap
5 Noor Muhammad
Goth
6 Goth Nabi Bux

7 Chanesar Goth

8 Juma Jokhio
9 Dumba
10 Konkar
Stakeholder consultation
- Secondary Stakeholders
S.No. Stakeholders

1 SEPA

2 Karachi Metropolitan Corporation

(KMC)
3 Karachi Water and Sewage Board
(KWSB)
4 K-Electric

5 District Municipal Corporation

6 SSGC
7 Cantonment Board Malir

8 Citizens of Environment (NGOs)

Stakeholder consultation
- Stakeholders Feedback
 The proposed project will contribute in development of the area, it
will enhance employment opportunities as well as people will
become skillful.
 Entertainment and tourism spot
 Communities near the projected area had mixed remarks about the
theme park, some are happy with the business opportunities while,
others are concerned about degradation of air, soil and water.
 People suggest there should be separate solid waste management
generated from the park.
 There is no greenery surroundings of proposed area after this
project there will be more greenery and plantation.
 They showed concerns regarding the effluent discharge, and
proposed that the effluent should be treated prior to its discharge.
Stakeholder consultation
- Stakeholders Feedback
 Employees should be compensated with their any loss.
 Need More Plantation
 It will help to increase the economy
 Prefer to use renewable energy for swings because swings need lot
of power.
 Incinerators should be installed
 Hazardous waste should be managed separately.
 Ticket booking should be online to avoid hug rush
Environmental impacts and mitigation
measures
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Land use and soil contamination
 The activities that can have impacts on the land use and soil include
the leveling and grading of the site, excavation and dislocation of
soils for foundations, which causes partial land instability. Though
some of the areas within the site are undulating, the site is generally
flat and therefore, will not require significant cutting and filling
thereby minimizing the changes to topography and soil of the site.
Land use of the proposed plant is within premises. Therefore, no
change will occur in land use pattern. Spills of oil used in vehicles
and in other machines in construction phase may result in soil
contamination.
 Excavation works during construction expose soils in the affected
areas, leaving them vulnerable to erosion by wind and from surface
run-off during rainfall. It is important to conserve the “topsoil”
wherever possible for later restoration.
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Mitigation Measures
 Cutting and leveling activities within the site will be controlled as
required for the installation of plant and equipment
 Movement of heavy machinery for proposed construction sites will
be restricted to marked pathways only and unnecessary movements
will be avoided to reduce soil disturbance
 All possible chemicals, lubricants, etc. must be stored at an
impermeable area where leakage or leaching in soil is completely
ruled out.
 Pitching of soil and silt near excavated sites must be taken into
consideration.
 The contractor should minimize the area of exposed soil at any
given time and to wet, compact and resurface the disturbed areas
during the construction phase.
 Stock piles of fine material should be wetted or covered with
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Waste Generation
 Noticeable amount of construction waste will be generated during
construction phase including concrete waste which include metal
cuttings, rejected materials, surplus materials, surplus soil,
excavated materials, paper bags, empty cartons, empty paints and
solvent containers, broken glass, steel, wooden scaffolding, cement
bags, excavated soil, wood remains etc. This waste may pose a
threat to the drainage and dumping sites, chocking of water bodies
as well as to the labors working in the facility. Some of the waste
materials including metal cuttings and plastic containers are non-
biodegradable and can have long-term and cumulative effects on the
environment.
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Mitigation Measures
 A comprehensive waste disposal plan should be developed to
effectively manage these waste in large quantities.
 The construction waste which will be sent for recycling like damage
pipes left over steel, wooden and plastic pieces. While, the rest of the
left over waste will then be taken away to the dumping sites for
disposal.
 The construction material will be kept in a covered place, especially
during the precipitation season.
 The excavated soil will be re-used by adopting different methods,
which will be used as a filling material for the construction of the
industry.
 Various waste containers for different types of waste will be deployed,
in order to treat the waste in accordance with its nature.
 Use of materials that have minimal packaging to avoid the generation
of excessive packaging waste.
 Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Dust Emission
 Construction activities that may lead to dust generation include
cutting and excavation; transportation and tipping of cut materials;
handling and storage of aggregates; concrete batching; site leveling
and clearing; and associated activities. The PM10 in the ambient air
is already present in excess to prescribed limits of SEQS. Therefore,
any activity leading to dust emissions will aggregate the dust
problem.
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Mitigation Measures
 Dust emissions from soil piles and aggregate storage stockpiles should
be reduced by keeping the material wet by sprinkling water at
appropriate frequency and erecting windshield walls on three sides of
the piles.
 It should be mandated by CC to backfill the excavations after erection
of towers and rehabilitate the excavated area to its original position. If
it is a road, the backfilling will be followed by leveling and carpeting
of road with bitumen.
 Vehicular movement should be restricted to a specific time for
dumping of supplies and construction materials
 Workers should wear dust masks and safety goggles, especially during
dry and windy weather conditions to avoid health risk.
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Gaseous Emission
 Major sources of gaseous/exhaust emissions are standby diesel
generators, material transport vehicles and emissions from
construction machinery/earth moving equipment. Major exhaust
emissions of concern are CO, CO2, SOx, NOx and PM10. These
emissions are injurious to human health in high concentration.
- Mitigation Measures
 All vehicles, generators and other equipment used during the
construction activities will be properly tuned and maintained in
good working condition in order to minimize emission of pollutants.
 Vehicles fitness will be regularly ensured to reduce the exhaust
emissions.
 Emissions from the machinery and vehicles will be monitored on
regular basis to ensure compliance of SEQS.
 Excessive engine idling will be discouraged and machinery causing
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Noise and Vibration
 During the construction phase noise will be generated from the operation
of heavy machinery, crane operations and haulage of construction
materials to and around construction sites and construction activities
including excavation, pilling, backup power generators for supply of
electricity; use of pressure horn etc. These construction activities are
expected to produce noise levels in the range of 80 – 95 dB
 Construction and excavation work such as heavy earth moving equipment,
civil works, welding, cuttings etc.
- Mitigation Measures
 Vehicles and machinery will be equipped with silencers. Contractors will
be required to fit noise shields on high noise construction machinery.
 Noise levels as per SEQS i.e. 80 dB during day-time and 75 dB during
night-time will be maintained at the fence lines of the construction site. Or
 Site labor working in high noise area such as where noise level exceeds 80
dB, will wear earplugs.
 Noise level will be monitored at regular intervals to meet the requirements
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
- Occupational Health and Safety
 Construction of the proposed theme park has the potential for
accidental injury. These maybe either minor or major accidents.
 The construction works pose an inherent risk of injury to workers from
accidents and hazardous working environments. There may be either
minor or major accidents due to different activities of construction
phase.
- Mitigation Measures
 A lead person should be identified and appointed to be responsible for
emergencies occurring on the site. This person should be clearly
identified to he construction workers.
 The Construction Management Team should have onsite first aid kits
and arrange for a local nurse and/or doctor to be on call for the
construction site.
 Make prior arrangements with local health care facilities such as health
centers or the hospitals to accommodate any eventualities.
 Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be stored onsite.
Impacts during construction phase and
mitigation measures
 Training and use of temporary fall prevention devices
 Use of control zones and safety monitoring systems to warn workers of
their proximity to fall hazard zones, as well as securing, marking, and
labeling covers for openings in floors, roofs, or walking surfaces.
 Designated smoking areas will be provided away from construction
site and waste areas.
 Fuels and flammable substances will be kept away from construction
site and waste areas.
 Appropriate fire extinguishers and fire response provisions will be
available at the site.
 Appropriately stocked first-aid equipment at work site, including
appropriately trained first aid staff on site and adequate transport
facilities for moving injured persons to Karachi will be available.
 Training for workers and appropriate incentives to use and comply
with health and safety procedures and PPEs will be provided.
Impacts during operation phase and mitigation
measures
- Air Quality

- Mitigation Measures
 The adequate scrubbing system will be provided to control the
process emissions from machines, cafeteria etc.
 Avoid cooking in an open area.
 Plant of plants and trees
 Separate scrubbing system and proper ventilation system in Parking
area
Impacts during operation phase and mitigation
measures
- Solid Waste
- Wastewater
- Electric
- Employment
- Air Emissions
- Fire
Annexure