For the final project for my ‘Design Fiction’ class, I wrote a proposal essay detailing the need for a Marine Life Sanctuary in Pakistan. I adjusted my focus from both wild and marine life onto marine life specifically only in order to give my project and research a more clear, precise direction.
You may read an excerpt from my essay below:
‘The Lyari River (Karachi) used to be a habitat for birds and fish roughly forty years ago. However, due to the increased dumping of harmful metal waste, like nickel and chromium, the water has become too toxic for the birds and fish to survive in. Moreover, the discharge of sewage waste and garbage into the sea in Karachi has also forced marine life such as shrimps and birds such as flamingoes (which are already dangerously low in number) to face fatal consequences.
‘Back in 2015, Karachi’s three treatment plants with a combined capacity of 150 MGD had become dysfunctional, paving the way for all raw sewage to be released into the sea. Compare this with Istanbul that has 154 functional treatment plants that process the entire 326 MGD of wastewater generated by its 15 million citizens who are probably living a guilt-free life. Iran uses nanotechnology for wastewater treatment; this is a far-fetched goal for us.’ (Moeen, 2019)
Not only does the sea pollution affect the marine life, but it also has a huge impact on Pakistan’s economy as fishermen have to journey further on into the Arabian Sea in order to catch fish, their efforts often inadequate in the face of the destruction of the fish’s survival.’
The case studies that I presented in my essay were as follows:
‘An efficient case study is the Monetary Bay Aquarium in California, USA. The facility focuses on the rehabilitation of California’s oceanic wildlife through scientific research, and efforts towards enacting laws that inhibit offshore oil and gas development and protect endangered animals such as the southern sea otter and steelhead trout. The aquarium also proves to be beneficial to the economy as it employs over 500 people and makes for a popular tourist attraction. Additionally, awareness about marine life and the importance of their survival is created through the use of educational trips and courses.
Similarly, the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation Animal Rescue venture is a useful case study to look into whilst pondering the usefulness of animal sanctuaries. The non-profit organization works tirelessly to shelter and medically treat thousands of animals in Karachi, such as local street dogs and donkeys. According to Chundrigar, she realized the lack of compassion and empathy in Pakistan during her research projects as a journalist and made it her mission to focus on the roots of the country by helping the most vulnerable and voiceless- the local abused animals of Pakistan.’
I also designed a series of postcards that I imagined could be found in the souvenir shop for the proposed marine life sanctuary:
Design Fiction 