Presently, the natural livelihood resources of the Indus Delta are faced with major degradation. The threat is so serious that experts usually use the term of ‘gradual death of the Delta’ when referring to the threat. The degradation of the Indus Delta has threatened the livelihoods of millions of fisher-folk, of agriculture and of livestock-rearing communities as well as the naturally rich ecosystem of the region.
Impact of Pollution: As a result of growing pollution of the coastal waters, marine livelihood resources such as fish, shrimp, and oysters are badly contaminated. Marine life is also decreasing in numbers and diversity, which is directly affecting the local fishermen’s population as well as fish consumers. Besides, the pollution directly affects the shoreline, including the mangroves, and can have serious implications for human health via water-borne diseases and contact with contaminated water. A recent study has found that some of the marine life was contaminated with lead, which if consumed by humans through seafood, has been linked to anemia, kidney failure, and brain damage.
Mangrove Habitat Loss: As a result of reduction in freshwater flow downstream Kotri Barrage, the mangrove eco-system of the Indus Delta is under stress from the high seawater salinity. If water does not flow in sufficient quantity below Kotri for most of the year, the mangrove forests will be devastated due to loss of nutrients and silt from the fresh water outflow, increase of salinity in the soil-pore water due to seawater, and rising sea levels. It is not unusual to find salinity levels of 40,000-45,000 ppm or more in some areas, well above saline levels in normal seawater. This tends to stunt the growth of both trees and animal life.
Because of the reduction in silt flows, the area of active growth of the Delta has reduced from an original estimate of 2,600 sq. km to about 260 sq. km. Similarly, Indus Delta mangroves used to occupy 345,000 hectares along the entire Sindh Coast and have reduced from 263,000 hectares in 1977, to 158,500 hectares in 1990. Even the remaining area is being degraded. The diversity of mangrove species in the Delta has decreased from the eight previously recorded species. It is now virtually mono-specific with Avicennia marina accounting for about 95% of the mangroves, apart from efforts to re-introduce species such as Rhizophora. Outside protected areas (16% of the Delta ecoregion), the area has been heavily degraded and more than 85 percent of the habitat has been lost, several patches of intact habitat still exist.
Fish Depletion: All of the Delta eco-region is getting dirtier from the pollution. Its also getting drier and saltier as it receives much less fresh water or no water at all. Limited inflow of water into the Delta area is responsible for the depletion of fish along the Sindh coast, which has decreased by 50% between 1993 and 1999.3 Many sweet water fish species have died or are close to extinction. A variety of fish, whose catch has drastically reduced over the years, is Pallo (i.e. Shad). Pallo is a marine fish species but swims upstream from the sea for spawning. Decline in Indus water flow in the Deltaic region has resulted in severe depletion of this otherwise prized fish species. Pallo accounted for 70% of the total catch in the past. But now it barely constitutes 15 percent of the total catch. The shark fish, which was in abundance in the past, has become almost extinct. A number of fish species have been depleted in the coastal waters of Sindh. Also, the catch of a number of fish species has drastically reduced.
The catch of Mangar, Dangri, Pallo, Paplet and other fish species has been drastically reduced in the coastal waters of the Indus Delta. Other fish include: Chhodi, Phaar, Dangri, etc. Fresh water fish whose catch has drastically reduced include: Thairi, Popri, Danbhro, Pallo, Morakho, Kurero, Singari, Mundhi, Dangrio, Sario, Gandan, Gangat, Loohar, and Khago.
Degradation of Fresh Water Lakes: Although Kinjhar Lake, being the main source of drinking water for Karachi, receives water to some extent, a large number of other lakes of the Deltaic region have been completely deprived of fresh water and have turned saline due to salt water intrusion and sea water backflow through drainage channels.
A number of sweet water lakes have converted into saline water lakes, while many other lakes have dried up completely. The lakes in Sindh are an important source of drinking water, recreation, fish, edible vegetables that grow in them, and employment for many people. The lakes are host to many species of birds, flora, and fauna. With the destruction of these lakes and wetlands, many economic and aesthetic benefits drawn from them are being lost.6 Some of the lakes and wetlands of the Indus Delta that have been badly degraded or threatened, are as under:
• Badin / Golarchi Wetlands: Jubho, Nurr – ri, Dahee, Shaikh Keerio Peer. • Tando Bago Lakes: Phoosna, Chareno, Khanjo, Jari, Jaffarali, Nira Dhand Dhabka lake, Soomar lake, Soomro Lake. • Haleji Wetland Complex: Haleji, Hadereo, Keenjhar, Jafri Mahboob Shah, Karo jo Chatch, Ghungri, Shah Bunder, Keti Bunder.
Impact on Agriculture: In addition to depletion of fish, the Delta and coastal region has become vulnerable to the onslaught of oceanic encroachments and a process of desertification has begun in the Delta region. Cultivation of agriculture crops in the flood plains has decreased as a result of reduction of flooded areas and availability of fresh alluvium. Red rice cultivation was the crop grown within the entire active Delta region. This was dependent upon flooding with freshwater, and crop yields met both subsistence and commercial needs. Recently, it was grown in only 56 acres. Orchards of banana, papaya and guava also generated income on the lands of the Delta. All these have now virtually disappeared. The cause of such destruction and degradation is the decrease in the flow of the Indus River downstream Kotri Barrage.
Seawater Intrusion: The Indus water discharge to the sea keeps the sea water at bay and does not let it intrude too much into the surface and subsurface water resources inland. The salt water intrusion is directly related to the decrease of flow in River Indus.1 The rising level of the sea is encroaching the fertile lands of the region and converting them into the seabed.4 Vast areas of district Thatta and Badin, where previously fertile crops existed, are now under seawater or eroded due to sea currents. Desertification is visibly seen in vast areas of Badin district after 1999 cyclone due to increased salinity and deprivation of fresh water. Results of a survey conducted by the government of Sindh indicated that over 486,000 hectares land were eroded or lost to the sea within Thatta and Badin districts, dislocating a quarter million people, and inflicting financial losses over 2 billion dollars. The seawater has destroyed at least one-third of the land. Recent estimates put the figure at 567,000 hectares of the land lost to the sea. Thus, more loss of land due to erosion and seawater is possible.
Degradation of Groundwater: As a result of reduction in Indus River flows, besides seawater intrusion, ground water aquifers of the region have also degraded. Salt water intrusion has been witnessed inland up to 100 kilometers north of the sea. The rising salt content of the groundwater has also made it unsuitable for irrigation and salt depositions in the land have affected their yields and overall production. A very recent work at Sindh University, revealed Total Dissolved Solids in Indus at levels as high as 42,750 ppm below Kotri as opposed to 1,500 ppm WHO limit. The increase in the salinity levels in the ground water aquifers has also hit the Katcha area downstream of the Kotri Barrage as well as the areas where a perennial irrigation system is in practice. 4 The lands that once were grazing areas, have turned into non-cultivable wastelands.
Impact on Livestock: Due to fresh water decline and salinity prevailing in the Delta region, the grasses and pastures around lakes and mangrove forests have been lost or degraded. The local communities have started losing their livestock. With the lack of grasses the livestock became physically weak and were attacked by various diseases. The majority of the livestock died while the villagers, due to growing poverty, sold the remaining livestock. Sindh Government reports that population of 38% of cattle, 45% of buffalos, 40% of sheep, 37% of goats, 40% of camels, 57% of horses, 35% of donkeys’ were reduced during the year 1991 to 2000. 4
Ensuing Poverty: The impact of resource degradation in the Deltaic region has emerged in the form of poverty in the region. Although presently the poverty profile of the country has increased manifold, however, the people of rural Sindh and especially the Indus Delta have been hit hard. A recent research study conducted in five districts of Sindh showed that 67 percent of the households were below the poverty line in the Indus Delta. Also, two Deltaic districts, i.e. Thatta and Badin, are the most deprived districts of Sindh.
Migration: One of the worst consequences of the resource degradation is in the form of migration from the region. Hundreds of villages in the Badin and Thatta districts have been deserted and people have been forced to migrate to other areas of Sindh. The seawater intrusion has completely uprooted many villages of the area. The economic dependence of a large number of people, especially of those belonging to Jaat communities, was on preparing traditional materials of daily use from local bushes, grasses and plants. But with the reduction in fresh water and the vanishing of these plants, a large number of local people have become jobless and have migrated. It is estimated that 90,000 people have become displaced and 120 villages uprooted.
Impact on Indigenous Practices and Culture: The people engaged in traditional livelihoods of agriculture, fisheries and livestock rearing have largely changed their profession after the reduction in their incomes from such livelihoods. The lives of Mohanas or fisher folks have been enormously disturbed, forcing them to move away from and out of water and try to find alternative means of livelihood. It has been estimated that about 2.0 million Mohanas have been affected due to water shortage throughout Sindh. It is making these folks to adjust to a new way of life or location but also a great loss to the cultural diversity of Sindh. Water is important in the lives and belief system of the Sindhi people. The religion, literature, and many cultural and social aspects of their lives are intertwined with water. Sindhis were known to be the river worshipers. Therefore, Sindhis have a special psyche related to water. That is probably one of the reasons for increased mental problems and suicides in the Delta.
Deterioration of Social & Health Conditions: Due to the scarcity of water and resulting economic downturn, people are finding it very hard to make the ends meet. Unemployment, poverty, crime rate, and other social problems are all on the rise. Over two thirds of population is under the poverty line. Schooling for children, food consumption (especially by women and children), celebrating events like weddings and traditional Sindhi hospitality are all on a rapid decline due to poverty. However, the major impact of resource degradation and consequent poverty is being felt on the health of the local communities. Water borne diseases have registered an increase of 200% in the last two decades and about 40 per cent of deaths are related to water-borne diseases. Mental and psychological sickness in the Indus Delta area is rampant due to economic pressures. Consequently, there has been a sharp increase in the suicide rate in the Delta, especially among young and women. Among other diseases, malaria, tuberculosis, typhoid and hepatitis are common in the Delta.
Availability of Water for Drinking: The reduction in Indus River flows downstream Kotri Barrage has created a crisis-like situation with the shortage of drinking water. Due to the water shortage and resulting salinity and depressed quality of the surface water bodies and loss of groundwater due to salt-water intrusion and water table depression, the drinking water supplies have dwindled and degraded in quality. The only way left is to bring water by tankers from outside and that is not very cheap. People are not able to afford it and are thus forced to use brackish and/or otherwise degraded water.
Exploitation of Poverty Stricken People: With the increase in poverty, the exploitative forces have become active in the area. The villagers, unable to make both ends meet, need loans to ensure their survival. As the public sector has never been there to help these vulnerable communities, the exploitative forces of the private sector have had a field day. This has resulted in a vicious circle of poverty and exploitation in the region. Both the agriculture and fisher folk communities have had to endure such exploitation.
Economically, environmentally and socially sustainable water development solutions for Pakistan are vital as it is a key resource for its agricultural and industrial progress. Ironically, the issue of fresh water release below Kotri barrage for saving the eco-system has always been tackled politically or administratively, rather than environmentally.
There is cynical impression that the flow of freshwater into the sea is wastage of water, knowing well that it is a mandatory for keeping the coastal environment alive. The people who regard floodwater escapage to sea as waste and wish to store it will have to understand the nature’s cycle before reaching on a conclusion.
A major proportion of floodwater flows towards sea during the month of August, a period when sea produces extremely high tides, thus chances of backlash of seawater are very prominent. Floodwater during August acts as a natural barrier for preventing the backlash of seawater. Therefore all attempts of blocking the floodwater during high flood season will be practically the same as to altering nature’s practice thus inviting seawater to intrude the coastal areas.
The alternatives to current water crises are efficient water delivery systems for on-farm conservation and usage of ground-water. The development of strategy to shift funding and water development planning toward more sustainable projects will provide long lasting social, environmental and economic benefits for progress and prosperity. Sound alternatives need to be evolved to meet critical energy and agricultural needs. It is must move towards sustainable and indigenous renewable development and restoration of the rich integrity of the natural resources of Pakistan.
An injection of fresh water into the Indus could restore life and property. Several studies, including one major study carried out by the IUCN, have suggested that a discharge of 35 million-acre feet of water (MFA) is required at the delta to prevent further damage to deltaic area. But inter-provincial political differences and Islamabad’s failure to assert its regulatory role in ensuring a judicious distribution of water among the provinces are seen as underlying factors obstructing a solution.
Time, however, is running out. The destruction that has so far taken place, although drastic, is still reversible. If the authorities do not ensure the flow of the required quantity of water in the Indus, things would be irremediable.
