Lingering stench from sacrificial waste frustrates Karachi residents

KARACHI: More than a week after Eidul Azha, residents in several parts of Karachi continue to complain of a strong smell from decaying animal waste, with concerns centred on both uncleared offal and inadequate cleaning at locations where sacrificial remains were removed.

The problem is affecting neighbourhoods across District Central, West, East, South and Korangi. Animal remains were still lying at some garbage collection points and open spaces, while a lingering odour persisted at other sites despite waste having been taken away. Residents said authorities had not properly washed affected areas or used enough lime to reduce the smell.

A survey found decomposing waste at several garbage points in District Central, including parts of Nazimabad. Similar complaints were noted on the road from Karimabad to Teen Hatti and onward to Guru Mandir, where most waste had been removed but the smell remained. Around Numaish, residents and commuters also said places cleared of waste did not appear to have been adequately cleaned. In Orangi Town, animal remains were found at multiple locations, including in Sector 15-C along the boundary wall of a government girls’ college, raising concerns among residents about possible health risks.

Road medians at numerous locations were still littered with severed cattle heads and other remains left after Eid sacrifices. Residents living near garbage collection points were described as the worst affected, though the smell was also reported in areas farther away. People in affected localities said they were experiencing headaches, nausea and general discomfort because of the stench.

Residents describe disruption to daily life

A refrigerator repair technician from Orangi Town said that the smell had begun disrupting routine life inside his home as well as outside. “Forget about stepping outside to enjoy fresh air,” he said. “Even sitting at the dining table inside the house has become difficult. Last night, when I started eating dinner, I thought the curry had gone bad because of the smell. When I mentioned it to my sister and other family members, they told me the smell wasn’t coming from the food. It was coming from outside. There are three garbage dumping points within about 500 metres of our house, and the stench from them continues day and night.”

Near Lasbela Chowk, a woman seen covering her nose while passing a decomposed cattle head by the roadside criticised both residents and the administration. “People should never have dumped animal waste anywhere other than designated collection points,” she said. “But if people have done so, where is the administration? Why aren’t officials visiting neighbourhoods to check whether post-Eid cleanup operations have actually been completed?”

Zeeshan, who works as a product supplier for a private company and travels across Karachi daily, said the odour remained noticeable in many parts of the city despite more than a week having passed since Eidul Azha. “Whether in upscale neighbourhoods or in District West and District Central, hardly any area appears to be completely free from the stench”, he said.

Experts and SSWMB response

Experts said removing sacrificial waste alone is often not enough to eliminate foul smells because blood, fat and other organic material can seep into roads and surrounding soil. They recommended thorough washing of affected areas, the use of disinfectants, bleach or lime, and quick removal and disposal of organic waste. They also warned that poor waste management can contribute to vector-borne disease risks where insects and pests are allowed to breed.

Responding to the complaints, Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Managing Director Tariq Nizamani said that this year’s post-Eidul Azha offal disposal operation had been highly successful. He said the board’s work during the Eid cleanliness campaign had been appreciated by the Karachi mayor and several town chairmen.

Nizamani said residents who found sacrificial waste or offal still lying in any locality could file complaints through the board’s helpline or mobile application, adding that such cases would be handled on a priority basis. He said the board receives between 40 and 50 complaints daily and addresses them within 24 hours. He also said fumigation had been carried out in different localities and lime powder had been applied at multiple locations as part of post-Eid sanitation measures.