Tandojam, Sindh

Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Tandojam, and Balochistan Agriculture College (BAC), Quetta, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen inter-provincial academic and research collaboration on key agricultural and environmental challenges. These include dry land and rangeland management, climate change adaptation, forestry development, food security, and the effective utilization of drainage and rainwater.

The MoU signing ceremony was held on Friday Jan. 9, 2026 at the Senate Hall of Sindh Agriculture University, where the agreement was formally signed by Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal on behalf of SAU and Principal Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzaq Reki on behalf of Balochistan Agriculture College, Quetta.

The collaboration primarily focuses on research related to water flows from Balochistan’s Nari Basin and adjoining areas, drainage water entering Sindh through various natural and artificial channels, rainwater harvesting, and the scientific utilization of rain and drainage water for sustainable agricultural production. In addition, joint research initiatives on forestry in Sindh and rangeland management in Balochistan will also be undertaken under this partnership.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal highlighted that approximately 25 percent of Balochistan’s runoff enters Sindh through Chukhi, flows via Hamal Lake, and then travels through RBOD to Manchar Lake. He added that water also enters Sindh from Balochistan through Nai Gaj and Hub Dam, underscoring the urgent need for inter-provincial cooperation in research, education, and climate resilience. He noted that in recent years, nearly half of Sindh remained submerged due to extreme climatic events, with rainfall recorded up to 1,600 mm in certain areas, clearly reflecting the growing intensity of climate change impacts.

He emphasized that joint scientific research is essential to prevent water wastage, ensure safe storage, develop efficient drainage systems, and promote the productive use of rain and drainage water in agriculture. Dr. Siyal further shared that experts from SAU and BAC will collaborate on dryland and rangeland management research in Balochistan, while SAU will contribute its expertise under its newly launched forestry degree program to support forest development initiatives in Sindh. The agreement also includes faculty and graduate exchange programs and joint research projects.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzaq Reki expressed pride in returning to his alma mater, Sindh Agriculture University, for a collaborative initiative of national importance. He stressed that academic institutions must evolve in response to modern challenges, particularly economic pressures, climate change, and rapidly advancing technologies. He noted that as technology evolves, market demands also change, making it essential to prepare youth with relevant, future-oriented education. He added that the MoU will yield long-term benefits for both provinces, researchers, students, and the agricultural sector.

Dr. Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, while addressing the ceremony, stated that the shared water and environmental challenges of Sindh and Balochistan can only be addressed through scientific research and strong inter-institutional collaboration. He emphasized that this MoU will contribute not only to agricultural research but also to the development of practical solutions for food security and climate adaptation.

Under the MoU, both institutions will collaborate on joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programs, sharing of laboratory resources and facilities, and the organization of joint workshops, seminars, and conferences. The agreement ensures that both SAU and BAC will make available their expertise, infrastructure, and resources to support mutually agreed academic and research initiatives. (Press Release)

Read: Sindh’s Manchhar Lake is Dying

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• Ever since Manchhar Lake was turned into a reservoir for the poisonous saline water of the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD), it has been suffering from the curse of toxic water

By Aziz Kingrani

Once considered Asia’s largest freshwater lake, Manchhar Lake has now become a lake of saline and toxic water. In the past, Manchhar Lake received freshwater from three main sources. The biggest source was the seasonal rain-fed streams, the most important of which was the Gaj River. In addition, there were Sole, Taki, Sori, Nali, Kukarani, Haleli, Khandhani, Angai, and Naig, whose waters flowed into Manchhar Lake during the rainy season.

The second source was the Main Nara Valley Drain (MNV Drain), built during the British era, which brought water from Hamal Lake as well as from the Western Nara Canal into Manchhar Lake. The third source was the Aral Canal near Sehwan, which brought Indus River water into the lake during the monsoon rains and the floods.

When Manchhar had freshwater, it was not only a source of prosperity for the local fishermen but also the backbone of the economy of Sindh and Pakistan as a whole. Various species of fish and birds thrived there. Unique vegetables grew, known in Sindhi as beh, kum, and lorh. A special type of grass grew there whose leaves were used to make mats called tonri in Sindhi, which, when placed on cots in summer, reduced heat. These vegetables and mats were traded on a large scale. Moreover, when water levels receded, thousands of acres of fertile land along the lake’s banks were cultivated with wheat and mustard.

But ever since Manchhar Lake was turned into a reservoir for the poisonous saline water of the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD), it has been suffering from the curse of toxic water. The entire economy of Manchhar Lake has been destroyed. Fishermen are facing starvation. The lake has become desolate and is now forced to beg for freshwater, but there is no one to hear its cry.

Manchhar Lake is also the name of a civilization. Along its banks lie not only archaeological remains from pre-Christian times but also sites from the Indus Valley Civilization that are now disappearing. Important among these are Lahri, Pir Mashakh, Tehni, and Pir Lakhio. Regarding the historical site of Pir Lakhio, archaeologist N.G. Majumdar opined that it was the second center of the Mohenjo-daro civilization, as more remains were found there than at Mohenjo-daro itself.

Undoubtedly, Manchhar Lake is dying. It can be saved by supplying it with freshwater through three means: first, by strengthening and reinforcing the flow of the Gaj River—which often causes flooding in the region—so that its waters can reach Manchhar; second, by providing freshwater via the Johi Barrage; and third, by diverting RBOD’s toxic water to the sea instead of into Manchhar, or by intercepting and disposing of the toxic inflow upstream through some strategic method. In this way, Manchhar Lake can be saved from dying.

Read: Manchhar Lake – From Majesty to Misery

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Briefing to the World Bank Technical Mission during inspection of the rehabilitation and construction works at Manchhar Lake

By Rehan Khan Khushik

Sehwan, Sindh

Sindh Irrigation Officials have claimed that the Manchhar Lake has been fully rehabilitated and with rehabilitation of its embankments, the nearby villages and towns like Sehwan, Bubak, Bhan Syedabad will be protected from future heavy floods and disasters.

They claimed this while briefing to the World Bank Technical Mission during inspection of the rehabilitation and construction works at Manchhar Lake.

The World Bank technical mission for Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project Irrigation Component visited the rehabilitated flood protection infrastructure of Manchhar Lake containing bund.

The mission comprised of Mr Ahsan Tehsin Senior Disaster Risk Managent specialist and Task Team leader, Ms. Amparo Samper Hiraldo senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Mr. Alessandro Palmieri consultant, Mr. Jaun Soler Cabado consultant Mr. Hendrik Arnold Vernoon Consultant, Mr. Bilal Khalid Disaster Risk Management Specialist and Aijaz Shaikh Consultant.

After heavy floods of 2022, the rehabilitation and construction works of Manchhar Lake were carried out by the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project, irrigation department funded by the World Bank. The SFERP has responded to the impacts of the flood 2022 in Sindh by rehabilitating selected infrastructure, to improve the climate change and disaster resilience of communities and build back better.

Also read: WB Mission visits Flood Detention Dams in Kohistan Region of Sindh

Iqbal Ahmed Palijo, additional director Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project briefing on Aral Wah of Manchhar Lake said that Aral Wah has been widened to accommodate 52000 cusecs discharge from Manchhar Lake to River Indus during high floods.

About Aral head regulator, he said that piles foundations were provided with 120 piles of 80 feet depth and 1 meter dia at Aral head regulator. Palijo shared that under the project various components have been completed including raising and strengthening of Manchhar Containing Bund (RD 0 to RD100), raising and strengthening of Left Aral Bund (RD 0 to RD 19+500), remodeling and Rehabilitation of Aral Head Regulator (MC RD 0+000), Remodeling & Rehabilitation of Aral Tail Regulator (Aral Left Bund RD 2+000), Rehabilitation and remodeling of Danster Channel and its Head & Tail Regulator at RD 62 on Manchhar Lake.

About the Danister channel, he said that 17 kilometer long retaining wall was provided with both sides of channel to protect the villages near by Manchhar Lake and discharge capacity was increased from 500 cusecs to 3500 cusecs. About Danister Tail regulator, he said that Danister canal was reconstructed for 6000 cusecs capacity.

Also read: WB Mission highlights future climate change threats to Sindh

Naeem Arif, project implementation consultant, briefed the WB mission that Manchhar Lake was fully rehabilitated after the heavy flood 2022. He said that with rehabilitation of Manchhar Lake embankments, the nearby villages and towns like Sehwan, Bubak, Bhan Syedabad will be protected from future heavy floods and disasters.

Nasir Ali Panhwar, social safeguard consultant of SFERP, said that Sindh being the most vulnerable province due to climate change effects is prone to the frequent disasters. He highlighted the need to develop climate resilient infrastructure to effectively cope the future disasters.

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By Rehan Khan Khushik

Sehwan, Sindh

The Amri-Qazi Ahmed Bridge built over Indus River connecting Indus Highway to the National Highway, caused blockade of flood water in 2022.

The Indus River bed at this place is about 13km wide, while the length of bridge is 1.5km, which hindered the flood water causing severe damages.

“During 2010 high flood in River Indus, the river had 13km wide bed but after the construction of Amri Bridge, the river bed became narrow to 1.5 km which caused rise in water level during 2022 developing pressure on embankments on both left and right sides. It also created difficulties to discharge water from Manchhar Lake to River Indus,” Iqbal Ahmed Palijo, Additional Director Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project told during a visit of World Bank Technical Mission on September 1, 2023.

“This bridge caused the water level raised in River Indus by two feet during high flood 2022,” he said.

The World Bank technical mission comprised of Ms. Amparo Samper Hiraldo, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Mr. Juan Soler Cabado, Mr. Hendrik Arnold Vernoon, Bilal Khalid, Ms. Hina Lotia, and Aijaz Shaikh visited the Aral head regulator, Aral Tail and Danister Canal of Manchhar Lake, which covers the areas of Sehwan taluka in Jamshoro district and Johi taluka in Dadu district.

According to environmental experts this is dying lake as the lake has turned brackish due to release of toxic water through Main Nara Valley Drain.

The WB mission also observed the ongoing flood rehabilitation work at embankments of Manchhar Lake, relief cuts site at RD (Reduced Distance) 14 and 52 of Manchhar Lake. The relief cuts were given during 2022 flood.

World Bank technical mission inspected the Karampur Ring Bund constructed to protect 50000 population of historical city Karampur from floods.

Iqbal Ahmed Palijo briefed the WB team about rehabilitation work at Manchhar Lake and its components including the rehabilitation structure of Aral head regulator of Manchhar Lake.

He said that all flood rehabilitation works at Manchhar Lake will be completed by 30 September 2023.

Deputy Director SFERP Balram in his briefing said that 95 percent rehabilitation work of Danister tail regulator and Aral head regulators has been completed. He said that discharge capacity of Danister Canal was increased from 500 cusecs to 5000 cusecs.

The WB mission hoped the timely completion of rehabilitation of Manchhar Lake to ensure the protection from future floods.

“Discharge capacity was enhanced from 37000 cusecs to 82000 cusecs from Manchhar Lake to River Indus through three sources including Aral head regulator, Aral Tail and Danister Canal,” Ms. Amparo Samper Hiraldo, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist told.

“Karampur bund has also been rehabilitated near Sehwan as it was also used for travelling purpose by the local settlements and in 2022 flood when it was high flood in River, relief cuts were made at Manchhar Lake to reduce the losses of flood disaster,” said Ms. Amparo Samper Hiraldo.

“During 2022 high flood, Sehwan city was also under serious threat of flooding hence to protect Sehwan city, the 19 RDs of Aral left embankment have been rehabilitated,” Mr. Hendrik Arnold Vernoon WB mission member told this correspondent.

“With rehabilitation of Aral left embankment, Sehwan city and its surroundings settlements will remain safe in flood disasters in future from Hill torrents, Manchhar Lake water, and River Indus water as well,” Hendrik Arnold Vernoon said.

“Manchhar Lake has 1 million acre feet capacity to restore water while 0.16 million acre feet water can be discharged within 24 hours from Manchhar Lake and if there will be emergency situation, Manchhar Lake can be emptied between five to seven days through its upgraded Aral head regulator, Aral Tail and Danister Canal,” Mr. Juan Soler Cabado WB mission member told.

“Total 30km of Manchhar lake embankments were raised from 127 feet height to 129 feet height and its width was increased from 20 feet to 30 feet to protect the local settlements from inundating,” Iqbal Ahmed Palijo briefed the WB mission during visit to Aral head regulator structure of Manchhar lake.

“182km long embankments of flood protective bund stands in Sindh province and 169km in Balochistan province and resists the hills torrents of Khirthar Mountain Range to Sindh province,” Aijaz Shaikh irrigation expert WB said.

“With the completion of the rehabilitation work, the communities settled along the Manchhar Lake, their agriculture land, standing crops, livestock and other livelihoods, public infrastructures and available water resources in the area would be protected,” Social Safeguard Consultant Nasir Panhwar briefed.

“These benefits will ultimately manifest in protection and contribute to improvement in the lives of vulnerable people,” said Panhwar.

“Manchhar Lake was fresh water lake and it turned into brackish water due to disposal of saline water through Main Nara Valley Drain which has destroyed the boat culture and civilization of Manchhar Lake,” he said.

World Bank technical mission also met the local communities of fishermen at Manchhar near Bubak town.

Moula Bux Mallah chairman Manchhar Bachayo Ittehad hoped that with rehabilitation of Manchhar lake embankment, their settlements will remain safe from future floods.

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WB Mission Visit Photos by the Correspondent 

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By Allah Bux Khushik

Dadu, Sindh

The growers from different villages of Johi Taluka staged demonstration and sit-in outside the office of irrigation engineer on Sunday to protest on delay in completion of Kari Mori Bridge over Main Nara Valley (MNV) Drain that connects the Johi Town with Dadu city.

Kali Mori Bridge was damaged during last year’s flash floods caused by the gushing water of torrential rains but the rehabilitation work has not yet been completed.

According to protesting growers, non-completion of work has also caused shortage of irrigation as well as drinking water in Johi town and adjoining areas.

Growers, holding placards, chanted slogans against irrigation engineer and demanded from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to start an impartial inquiry against the irrigation officers and contractor into alleged corruption in Kali Mori Bridge work.

Demonstration was led by grower Muhammad Umar Jamali, Manzoor Solangi, Fahad Jamali and Mehar Gadahi.

Grower Muhammad Umar Jamali said that due to damage to the Kali Mori, water supply to Johi town and 14 irrigation channels was stopped. He said that 2 lac acres land could not be cultivated due to irrigation water shortage.

He said that sectary irrigation had visited Kali Mori rehabilitation site and had directed the concerned officials to complete the work at the earliest but the work remains incomplete till day. He alleged that local contractors and irrigation officials have committed corruption resulting in delay of work and non-release of water into Johi canal.

Another grower Manzoor Solangi said that rain water of Kachho area, which had been drained out into Manchar Lake by irrigation officers, should have been released into Johi Branch at 37 RD of MNV drain so that area people could get natural rain water for cultivating paddy crop. He said that from RD 37 of MNV drain it is natural route of water and in British era there was a gate for releasing water into Johi branch but irrigation officials are not ready to release water from its natural route nor they have completed rehabilitation work of the Kari Mori.

Speaking to this reporter, Irrigation engineer Balraam told that 80 percent rehabilitation work of Kari Mori has been completed and water would be released into Johi branch after 11 august. He said that due to Meteorological Department’s monsoon rain forecast, we cannot release natural rain water of Nai Gajj into Johi branch because it would be dangers for residents.

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By Rehan Khan Khushik

Sehwan, Sindh

The World Bank-funded Cash-for-Work Program under the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation of Sindh Government will be launched soon with active participation of local communities, among women and children at Manchhar Lake and surrounding flood-hit far flung areas.

The World Bank Support Mission led by Task Team Leader Ahsan Tehsin visited the Manchhar Lake areas on Saturday May 27, 2023. The WB Mission arrived in Sehwan after visiting the Manchhar Lake areas including the main regulator of the Aral Canal and Lake Manchhar. The Mission also held a meeting with the civil society of the Sehwan area to discuss issues related to the Manchhar and flood-hit areas at Irrigation Rest House.

World Bank Support Mission members included Tiziana Smith, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Mishka Zaman, Sana Ahmed, Farha Yamin Khan, Ms. Nihan Rafiq, and Ms. Amna Memon, Shams ul Haq Jafrani, Aijaz Shaikh, Shahid Suhail, Naseer Memon and Mehrunisa who discussed the solution of the problems.

The World Bank Support Mission reviewed the status of ongoing restoration work as part of the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project at Manchhar Lake and the main Aral Canal Regulatory Area.

These works include increasing the capacity of the Aral Canal from 12,000 Cusec to 52,000 Cusec to effectively divert water from Manchhar to the Indus River and protecting region from future disasters. “The embankment height has been raised from 123 feet to 130 feet as part of the World Bank-supported Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project,” experts told.

They indicated that local communities are highly dependent on fishing, agriculture and ranching and that these areas are highly vulnerable to flooding and that the World Bank-funded SFERP will have multiple impacts on the maintenance of fisheries, agriculture and livestock.

Nari Development Organization head, Azra Memon, proposed the World Bank mission to restore the livelihood support for women, who badly suffered during 2022 floods. She pointed out that women and children during the flood devastation, suffered and lost their pets, homes and all their valuables, even developed mental health problems when they returned.

Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum Chairman Mustafa Mirani expressed his satisfaction over the quick renovation and suggested that the 39 damaged RO plants at Manchhar Lake could be operated to supply drinking water to the affected areas.

He informed that there was a serious water shortage as the groundwater was not fit for human consumption. He said that increasing the capacity of the control valves at Aral Head would reduce the dangerous situation during Manchhar Lake floods especially.

Community representative Abdul Khaliq Sarki said the renovation of Manchhar and the Aral main regulator would protect surrounding villages from future flooding.

Raza Panhwar, a grower from the region said that 0.2 million people in the region as well as farmland, houses, roads and other infrastructure were badly affected by the floods.

Manzoor Jamali, a social activist from the Manchhar Lake region, told the World Bank Mission that 5000 school children were also affected by the floods and displaced in the region, who need proper education as their schools were destroyed. He said they also needed healthcare and potable water.

Mishka Zaman Senior Social Safeguard Specialist of the World Bank emphasized the need for community involvement in the various phases of the project. She pointed out that the project has an effective grievance mechanism where the community can suggest or voice their suggestions and concerns.

Farha Yameen Khan, Members of the World Bank Support Mission said that women faced many challenges during the floods and needed social and psychological support.

“Community engagement and feedback are critical to the success of the project,” Naseer Memon, senior livelihood expert at the World Bank, said at the meeting.

“Citizens’ watch groups in all flood-affected counties will act as a bridge between the government and the community,” Naseer Memon told.

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Karachi

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Environment & Climate Change Sherry Rehman have agreed to work on different projects, including depollution of Manchhar Lake, development of eco-tourism on Keenjhar Lake and Miani Forest and fortifying fisheries cold chains and development of sustainable Fisheries Management Framework.

The meeting was held at CM House on Saturday and was attended by Provincial Minister for Forest & Wildlife Taimur Talpur, Chairman PD Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Forest Badar Jamil Mendhro and Secretary Environment department Hassan Iqbal.

It was pointed out that the federal government has established a `The National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) to finance the subprojects that will contribute to enhancing Pakistan’s resilience to climatic and other natural hazards and to strengthen the government’s ability to respond to disasters triggered by natural hazards.

The Fund is also mandated to support climate related interventions for climate change adaptation and mitigation. It [The Fund] has already committed an amount of US$ 38.78 million nationally for implementing projects aligned and compliment the implementation of National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) and National Flood Protection Plan (NEPP-IV).

Sherry Rehman said that the Fund was planning to initiate proposal processing for Phase-II by November 2022 with anticipated approval of financing for the same by June 2023.

Blue Economy: The chief minister said that the NDRMF has approved a project ‘Towards Resilient Marine Ecosystem and Sustainable Blue Economy’ for Rs1.98 billion. The location of this one -year project, (2022-23 & 2023-2024) is the coastal areas of District Thatta, Sujawal, Badin and Karachi.

The project consists of two main components: Resilient Marine Ecosystem and Utilization of salinized land.

Resilient Marine Ecosystem: Resilient Marine Ecosystem through Sustainable Management of Fisheries Resource ecosystem includes different components as follows: Establish fisheries protected areas through community engagement; establishment community policing through “Fisheries Stewardship Agreements (FSA)” in identified areas; Development of Sustainable Fisheries Management Framework (SFMF) for coastal fisheries (all jetties); Fortification of fisheries cold chain and establish support facilities on two landing centers; Installation of flake ice machine / chilling unit with cold storage at landing center on two landing centers; Installation of RO plant for clean water supply along with solar system compatible with RO on two landing centers; Expansion of existing floating pontoon on two jetties; Establishment & Management of field offices; Establishment of check posts; Installation of chillers / flake ice machines on boats; Provision of fish handling equipment to small boats and traders, including Iceboxes, Fish crates and Fish baskets; Replacing harmful fishing gears with sustainable gear;       Sensitization of unsustainable and illegal unreported & unregulated (IUU) fishing; Alter at least 50 fishing trawlers to sustainable fishing boats (gillnetters etc.); Monitoring of fishing boats movement through Installation of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) on boats.

Utilization of Salinized Land: Utilization of Salinized Land Caused by Sea Intrusion for Aquaculture. This project has also different components including establishment of Model Demonstration Aquaculture Farm; establish model farms for Backyard culturing of fin fish and Shellfish; livelihoods and family Nutrition Support for Women /Family; backyard Aquaculture ponds on not more than one-acre area with all required facilities for women and families of coastal areas; provision of expert / technical services for backyard aquaculture systems; support for improving fish drying practices for women entrepreneurs; establishing 24/7 Extension Services for target districts and training & exposure of 1000 farmers and fishermen.

The chief minister said that these projects are already approved for the current financial year. He added that he wanted to start work on them at the earliest. The federal minister assured the chief minister that their funds would be released at the earliest so that the project could be started.

Miani Forest: The chief minister said that the Eco-Tourism Village at Miani Forest Hyderabad was a Rs. 645 million Project. He added that the Mini Forest was located 13 km from Hyderabad city via Hyderabad Bypass.

According to the CM the site has attracted recreational forest area due to its natural beauty and is considered a historical place. Mini Forest is on the national highway which makes it easily accessible and connects it with all major cities of the province. The project will have a catchment area comprising not only Hyderabad but Karachi and other major regions.

Manchhar Lake: The CM talking about co-Tourism Recreational Activities at Manchar Lake said that it was a Rs.910 million scheme. “Manchar is the largest shallow freshwater lake in Pakistan and it plays an important role as a natural habitat,” he said and added that therefore, it was environmentally very important.

The lake supports numerous fisher folk who depend on the fishes in the lake, Shah said and added the water of the lake used to be clear but environmental degradation has dropped the quality of the lake.

The CM said that the main Nara valley Drain has led the lake to undergo environmental degradation. “The Road leading to Manchar Lake is from the old Indus highway which makes it easily accessible and connects it with all major cities of Sindh,” the CM said and added the project would have a catchment area comprising not only Hyderabad but Karachi and other major regions.

Federal Minister Sherry Rehman urged the provincial government to prepare both the schemes of eco-tourism and approve them from PDWP and then send the same to the federal government. She added the federal government would fund the scheme through NDRMF or from any other source. (PR)

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By Allah Bux Khushik

Dadu

The health authorities have suspended two vaccinators and issued show cause notices to the two doctors and three supervisors of Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) following the reports of some children’s death due to undiagnosed diseases.

Health department sources told Sindh Courier that as per directives of Director General Health Sindh, District Health Officer (DHO) Dadu Dr. Abdul Hameed has suspended two vaccinators Asghar Jamali and Sajad Alkhani and issued show cause notices to two doctors and three supervisors of PPHI namely Dr. Niaz Channa and Dr. Ahmed Ali Samejo of Union Council Chhini, and Supervisors including Ahmed Ali Abro, Manzoor Ali and a Lady Supervisor Alam Khatoon.

DG Health Dr. Juman Bahuto, accompanied by representatives of WHO had visited various villages of fishermen at Manchhar lake zero-point embankments on Monday following the reports of deaths of children.

A couple of days ago two little brothers had died in a village while according to reports some other children had also died of various diseases in other villages of Manchhar Lake area

DHO Dadu Dr. Abdul Hameed Shaikh and DHO Jamshoro Dr. Vanod Kumar also accompanied the DG Health and briefed him about children’s death.

DHO Dadu Dr. Abdul Hameed Shaikh told the DG that 5 children’s death was confirmed. He told that three children died three months ago and this month 2 more children died but their disease was not diagnosed.

DHO further informed DG health and WHO representatives that babies’ death could be due to refusal of vaccination. He added that Manchhar lake families are following their traditional treatment. He said that cause of death of the children is said to be multiple diseases.

He said that due to refusing anti-measles and anti-Rubella drive, Manchhar Lake babies were infected with measles and fever while malnutrition was also found in Manchhar babies.

Meanwhile, mother of two deceased children Sughra Mallah told to DG Health that neither PPHI team nor districts health officers of Dadu and Jamshoro took notice their babies when they were in precarious condition. She told that like police department now the health department officers have divided their limits which had caused their children’s death. She demanded of DG Health to functionalize new hospital at Manchhar Lake Zero-point and boat school for their children.

Speaking to media person DG Health Juman Bahuto said that three-day free medical camp was established at embankment of Manchhar Lake.

DG said that samples of babies were collected to diagnose their disease and added that he has directed both the DHO to submit a report of those responsible for this negligence.

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By Allah Bux Khushik

Dadu

Two brothers died of an undiagnosed disease in village Khan Muhammad Mallah of Manchhar Lake on Sunday. The children were identified as Muhammad Mallah and Hussain Mallah, 4-year and 3-year of age respectively.

Sughra Mallah, mother of children told Sindh Courier that her two sons died as they could not get treatment.

According to her five children died in different villages of Manchhar Zero-Point area within a week but health teams didn’t turn up for their children’s treatment.

She said that it is constituency of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah but the villagers are deprived all basic facilities.

She said that discharge of saline water in Manchhar Lake, fish catch has decreased, while 20 RO Plants were non-functional. “We are deprived of all the basic facilities as well as livelihood and as result our children are dying but no one is ready to help us,” she said.

Ms. Sughra appealed to Sindh High Court Chief Justice to take serious notice of children’s death and direct the health minister to provide health facilities to Manchhar Lake fishermen.

It may be mentioned that it was aired on local TV channels that 15 children died of measles in various villages of Manchhar Lake.

District Health Officer Jamshoro Dr. Vanood Kumar speaking to Sindhi Courier said that it was reported that from December to date some 10 children have died of undiagnosed diseases in various villages of Manchhar Lake area.

DHO said that Khan Muhammad village of Manchhar Lake, where two children have died, falls in Union Council Channi of Dadu district and not in Jamshoro district.

Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Health Officer Dadu Dr. Amjid Hussain Mastoi said that teams were sent to Manchhar villages for diagnosing diseases of children.

Dr. Amjid Hussain said that residents of Manchhar villages are refusing vaccine during anti-measles drive. He said that a free medical camp was established at the embankment of Manchhar Lake. He said that malnutrition cases were found in babies of Manchhar Lake but death cases were not reported. He said that Manchhar Lake inhabitants are getting treatment from un-registered doctors.

Director General Health Sindh Muhammad Juman has taken notice of Manchhar Lake children’s death and has directed DHO Jamshoro and DHO Dadu to provide basic health facilities to Manchhar residents and submit report of actual number of death of children.

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Gulsher Panhwer

Manchhar Lake, once largest natural freshwater reservoir of Pakistan and one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia has lost its majesty. From repository of aquatic life, adorned by fauna, it has been turned to cesspool of sewage mixed saline water.

Manchhar in Sindhi language is a compound word ‘Man’ and ‘Chhar’ – Man means heart and Chhar connotes wide expense of water. According to historians, 8 to 10 thousand years ago Manchhar Lake was formed after Indus River changed its course. Pne of the authentic historical source Tarikh-e-Mazhar Shahjahani, records that Numree tribes resided around the Manchhar in ancient times. Primordial archaeological sites of Lal Chatto, Mashak Lohri and Lakhiyo situated along the edge of Lake Manchhar are the most ancient sites that give testimony of the rich historical background of the Manchhar Lake. In its heydays tens of thousands of households in the Manchar Lake had around 2,000 residential boats.

According to researcher Feroz Memon, there were 2600 species of plants, animals, fish and a habitat for migratory birds was provided by this lake. The lake water which expended from 200 to 500 KMs during heavy monsoon and flash flood from Nai Angai and Nai Gaj irrigated 600,000 acres of land.

Till 1921, main water flow sources for Manchhar was Nai Gaj and other smaller torrential streams flowing from Khirthar Mountain to Manchhar. Other main source of feeding and the main reason for Manchhar’s downfall is Main Nara Valley drain (MNV) constructed in 1921. Before introduction of irrigation canal system by British, the mighty torrential stream Nia Gaj flowed from northwest to east and released in Indus River. To save the irrigation system in barrage area of Johi taluka of Dadu district from flash flood of Nai Gaj, the British constructed flood protection boulder called Teer Bhit which diverted the Nai Gaj’s water flow from east to south. This diverted water besides helping in cultivation of rain fed semi desert plains of Kachho also filled Manchhar. The third source was from Indus River through Aral Wah which filled Manchhar when there was low or little flow from torrential stream Nai Gaj.

In the start due to abundance of fresh water from Nai Gaj and Aral Wah and very little flow from MNA Drain, the Manchhar continued its status of flourishing fresh water lake. But as the traditional fresh water flow decreased due to climate change and other factors and MNV drain was widened and deepened by excavating its bed, saline and sewerage water volume increased in MNV drain. This started playing havoc with aquatic and ecological fabric of the lake.

The slow and steady poisoning extracted its heavy toll on the lake and  Fisher folks livelihood as Fish catch decreased from 700 million tons in 1990 to 75 million  in 2004 and no cache at all today expect a small and tasteless fish species called Paaplet, which  is sold for pittance.

Fisher folk not only lost the income source from fish from the lake, which also attracted and hosted millions of migratory birds, which were other main source of income. Due to disappearing of natural feed like fish and disappearance of shelter, there were almost no migratory birds seen during this winter season.

Fauna, which provided feed and enabling environment to fish and birds also worked as third main source of income for fisher folks. The thick cover of Pubun plant worked as income basket, as its delicious seed with milky taste were sold in the market on good price; the root of the plant bore bih (used as popular vegetable) was in great demand and when water receded, tons of bih provided additional income to the prosperous fisher folk communities.

The lotus or kanwal flower adorned the length and breadth of the Manchhar and besides unique boat homes increased the beauty of the lake and was big attraction for tourists. Thriving tourism was fourth source of income for the fisher folks. All the booming income sources also created economy of scale and carpentry, transportation, fish shops and other linked business flourished in whole District (then Dadu District).

Survival of fittest resulted in widespread migration. Some 40,000 fisher folk had migrated to coastal area in Karachi to make out their living. This migratory trend still continues. Those migrated had their own problem to face in new and competitive environment of the sea fishing. Those left out behind are living the lives of penury and misery. Besides wiping out their traditional livelihood sources the poisonous water is devastating the health of the residents. Typhoid, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, hepatitis, TB and other water borne and skin disease are common among the wretched dwellers of the lake. In 2004, 30 people expired due to consumption of contaminated lake water. During this writer visit to the lake along with guests from Islamabad, the emaciated fisher folk shared that they have nothing to eat; each house hold spent Rs.50 per jerry can of water which is fetched and sold by local watermen and those who cannot afford this, have to consume highly contaminated water.

On zero point there we saw 50 to 70 families living in straw made homes. No school, no health center – only abject living condition can be observed.

One fisher folk on the condition of anonymity shared that they used to eke out their meagre living from catching paplet fish but local landlord has imposed ban on catching even the only left out fish species.

Fisher folk has their fair share in accelerating destruction of the lake. Even when fish was enough, they used thin nets, poisonous powder in greed of big catch. This also contributed in disappearing of some very good fish species. For last several years, fisher folks in desperation caught tiny fish and after drying these fish sold it as the poultry feed. During one visit previous year when this writer asked the fisher folk why they are destroying their own livelihood by catching and selling these tiny seed fish, they retorted that hunger knows no bound.

After constant hue and cry by media and representative fisher folk bodies, the government conceived and started Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) project in 1993 to divert MNV drain water to the sea which was believed to restore the Manchhar to its fresh water lake status and rehabilitate the fish folk.  But after the passage of nearly 3 decades the project is still in limbo.  It’s unlikely that this project would see light of the day sooner.

Now the fisher folk have artificially planted pan plant in cluster. This, they believe, has started attracting fish as it provides shelter and feeds to fish and birds. This pan plant is also sold for erection of straw shelter.

With ban on tiny fish (fish seed) and planting of pan through self-initiative by fisher folk there is chances that few left out fisher folk would find substance level livelihood opportunities. However, restoration of Manchhar needs political will on the part of the government to undertake intensive consultative process with fish folks, environmental experts and other relevant stakeholders followed by comprehensive and sustainable rehabilitation measures. The part of the lake falls in the constituency of the present Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah. Other advantage is that for last many decades PPP is continuously in power. Thus there is no issue of discontinuity or abandoning the rehabilitation project by another political party (s) in power. What needed is political will. The Manchhar is not only important from economic point of view but it was and can be upholder of rich cultural heritage. Sindh government has to take measure to persevere this economic and cultural heritage.

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Gulsher Panhwer is a freelance writer mostly touching the environmental, cultural and such other issues. He can be reached at gulsherp@yahoo.com

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