Health concerns: Winter takes toll on Manchar Lake

Residents say people are starving as there are no fish in cold weather

KARACHI: With saline water and agricultural waste being dumped into its waters, Manchar Lake has turned into an accumulation of poisonous water. Local elders have appealed to the Sindh government and philanthropists to help starving children and women of the area.

According to the villagers, the situation has gotten worse in the cold weather. "There is no fish, meaning there is no source of earning," said a villager, Abdul Ghafoor Nohani. "People are starving here but no one cares."

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Nohani said the fishermen community, which was solely dependent upon the lake, has no other alternative means of livelihood. "The lake is polluted and there are no fish," he said. "It is a freshwater lake but people can't consume its water."

He said most of the villages are in critical condition, including Pir Hasan, Kad Wah, Tehnni, Fazal Chandani (located in the middle of the lake), Dore Tarr, Shaikh Dhamar and Shah Hasan. "There is dire need of food, medical assistance and warm clothes," he said.

Haji Ghullu Mallah, an elder of Shaikh Dhamar, said, "It is a horrible situation." He said that the people of Manchar Lake are facing the same sort of situation since 2006. "But the living condition is miserable with every passing year."

Mallah pointed out that there is scarcity of potable water and food in the area. "People are jobless so they can't afford anything for their families, especially for their children. Starvation has made adults mentally and physically sick," he said.

Helping hand

Najam Hameed, a social worker from Karachi, visited the villages adjacent to the lake and said, "People of Manchar Lake lack all basic necessities." He said there is scarcity of food and potable water. Hameed organised a one-day medical camp and distributed biryani among 2,000 families. "Every child and woman is sick," he said, adding that water-borne diseases have multiplied problems.

"The fishermen immediately need medical assistance," he said, adding that the villagers are starving.

According to Mohammad Ali Shah, chairman of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Manchar Lake is not only Pakistan's largest lake but is among Asia's largest lakes. "It is ruined now," said Shah. He said that Right Bank Outfall Drain and Main Narra Valley Drain have destroyed the lake. He added that saline water and agricultural waste is dumped into the lake. He said that people used to live in boats along with all their family members. "People can't live on its banks now," he lamented.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2016.