[4] Malir has been regarded in history as the countryside of Karachi City due to its open atmosphere and lush green farms, but now these are no more.

[5] Malir was once famous for its fruit and vegetable farms; but, now due to severe scarcity of groundwater, these farmlands are being converted into residential areas, thus increasing urbanization and environmental degradation.

The Society for Conservation and Protection of Environment (SCOPE) has been concerned about drought and desertification in Malir district and has launched a campaign against illegal sand and gravel mining in the dry river beds of the Malir and its tributaries.

Sand and gravel mining cause lowering of ground water, as rainwater cannot percolate in the aquifer.

SCOPE is developing rainwater reservoirs in drought affected rural areas.