Famine in Thar (II)

HYDERABAD: Life in Tharparkar is a daily struggle for survival. Acute poverty has made the life of the poor people pitiful and miserable. Whenever any disaster strikes in this region, all state and non-state actors come forward to temporarily heal the wounds of the masses, who have been suffering for centuries, mainly due to a lack of water, food and medicines. In this hour of crisis too, in which famine has caused the deaths of over a hundred children, widespread concern has prompted governmental, judicial, civil and military responses. The recent launch of relief efforts for the population of Thar is encouraging.

It is important to note that there is a drought in Tharparkar every two to three years and its reservoirs are nearly dry and the shortage of food is critical. The region is experiencing lower- than-average rainfall and that is why it faces drought from time to time. The desert district needs permanent solutions, like supply of gas and water, and establishment of industries of coal, granite, china clay and salt minerals for the welfare and wellbeing of the people. We can take Dubai as an example, which is also a desert region but has progressed so much because of the sagacity of its rulers. What is really needed is sincerity and commitment to the cause of Tharparkar.

Nasiruddin Soomro

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2014.

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