Tharparkar District Facing Multifaceted Crises

Since 1968, Tharparkar has experienced over 25 droughts, approximately every third year, leading to recurring famine and food shortages

Ali Nawaz Rahimoo

Tharparkar, a vast desert district in Sindh covering over 22,000 square kilometers with a population of around 1.5 million residents living across 2,300 villages and urban settlements, faces a multitude of interconnected challenges. Divided into six talukas—Mithi, Islamkot, Chachro, Dhali, Diplo, and Nagarparkar—the region is characterized by harsh environmental conditions, recurrent droughts, and socio-economic hardships.

Since 1968, Tharparkar has experienced over 25 droughts, approximately every third year, leading to recurring famine and food shortages. These droughts, coupled with irregular rainfall and extreme temperatures, severely diminish water availability and impact agricultural productivity. Despite being rich in minerals such as coal, China clay, and granite, only a small fraction of the population benefits from these resources, while the majority struggle with poverty and unemployment.

The local economy is predominantly based on casual labor and credit, which together constitute a significant portion of household income; in contrast, agriculture and livestock contribute far less but remain the main livelihoods for nearly every household. Livestock, in particular, plays a crucial role, but the close proximity of animals to homes increases the risk of zoonotic diseases, especially affecting vulnerable groups like newborns. The district’s economy is thus heavily dependent on livestock health and pasture quality, which are essential for sustained livelihoods.

The district’s water infrastructure is in a dire state, with many Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants either non-functional or operating below capacity due to maintenance issues and lack of funding

Malnutrition rates in Tharparkar are alarmingly high, with a 2018 national survey highlighting a double burden of under-nutrition and overweight among children under five. Many children suffer from stunting, indicating chronic malnutrition, while wasting reflects acute nutritional deficits. Food insecurity, coupled with inadequate access to clean water—most groundwater sources contain dangerously high fluoride levels, sometimes as high as 32 mg/l compared to the WHO guideline of 1.5 mg/l—further worsens health outcomes. This leads to widespread waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, which contribute significantly to child morbidity and mortality.

The district’s water infrastructure is in a dire state, with many Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants either non-functional or operating below capacity due to maintenance issues and lack of funding. As a result, residents rely heavily on traditional wells, which often provide contaminated or salty water, forcing people to travel long distances in search of safe drinking water. The high fluoride content in groundwater contributes to dental issues and other health problems, severely impacting overall well-being.

Healthcare services in Tharparkar are insufficient to meet the growing needs of the population. Access to medical facilities, trained personnel, and medicines is limited, which hampers efforts to control infectious diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, as well as maternal health issues like anemia, especially among pregnant women. Early marriages and teenage pregnancies are common, compounding maternal and child health challenges. Mental health concerns, including depression and an increasing number of suicides, are linked to persistent poverty, social issues, and lack of support.

The physical environment further exacerbates health risks; the dusty, arid climate makes residents susceptible to respiratory infections. Housing conditions generally do not withstand extreme weather, causing additional health and safety concerns. Climate change is intensifying the difficulties faced by the district, with rising temperatures and infrequent rainfall worsening drought conditions and water scarcity issues. This environmental degradation affects nutrition, health, and overall resilience.

Educational infrastructure is also critically weak, especially for girls. The girl literacy rate stands at merely 23%, with only 32% literacy among women in Sindh, reflecting a severe gap in educational opportunities. Most villages lack schools, electricity, and proper roads, limiting development and mobility. Despite its mineral wealth, local communities have not benefited from resource extraction, and economic development remains sluggish.

Given these pressing circumstances, comprehensive interventions are needed. Immediate measures should include repairing and maintaining water supply systems, installing desalination plants, and deploying solar-powered water pumps. Healthcare infrastructure should be expanded with fully operational hospitals, mobile clinics, and trained community health workers. Tackling malnutrition requires establishing nutrition centers, promoting awareness, and improving food security. Livestock health must be prioritized through veterinary services, better pasture management, and promoting dairy farming to diversify income sources.

Long-term strategies should focus on improving education, especially for girls, and creating vocational training opportunities to enable economic diversification. Addressing climate change impacts necessitates better housing, sustainable water management, and resilience-building initiatives. In essence, government action combined with community involvement is vital to transforming Tharparkar into a resilient region, capable of overcoming recurrent droughts, health crises, and socio-economic hardships, and giving its people a sustainable future.

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The writer is a social development professional based in Umerkot Sindh. He can be contacted by email anrahimoo@gmail.com