‘Altering river flows affects access to water, food production

Panellists stress on permitting free flow of waterways on World Rivers Day

Inadequate supply of freshwater in the Indus Delta has adversely impacted the deltaic ecosystem and local communities while sea intrusion and coastal flooding are destroying agricultural lands and depleting marine resources in Sindh, opined speakers at a World Wildlife Fund-Pakistan seminar on Tuesday.

Speaking at the seminar organised at Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) in Tando Jam, in connection with World Rivers Day under the WWF-Pakistan's Mangroves conservation project, the panellists maintained that altering river flows by constructing dams and canals affects access to water, food production, green belts and economic activities along with the entire Indus River system.

Sindh Agriculture and Forestry Workers Organisation Chief Executive Officer Suleman G Abro said that Sindh received abundant rain this year, but the rainwater was wasted.

He urged at adopting innovative technology to conserve water. He suggested that small dams should be set up to store floodwater and improve the groundwater table.

He pointed out that rapid urbanisation and industrialisation were resulting in dumping of solid waste and wastewater in freshwater bodies, which impacted wildlife. He asked the authorities to prevent disposal of untreated industrial waste to protect freshwater resources.

Meanwhile, WWF-Pakistan Conservation Manager Hamera Aisha stressed that free flow of the Indus River could give a new life to the people of the Indus Delta as well as the wildlife there.

"Freshwater flows should be regularised as it has multiple environmental benefits for humans, wildlife and nature as a whole," she said.

WWF-P Mangroves Conservation Project manager Saeedul Islam pointed out that the Indus Delta, which was once home to a myriad of fish species, birds, diverse animals and thick mangrove forests, has started to shrink due to the reduced flow of freshwater.

Meanwhile, SAU Training Director Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar highlighted that free-flowing rivers and other water bodies also reduce the risk of floods. The torrential rains in Karachi and other parts had created havoc, which resulted in casualties and huge economic losses, he said, adding that most of these damages were the result of stopping free flow of waterways including in nullahs.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2020.