Disaster looming: After Thar, migrations begin from Cholistan
With no regular rainfall since 2010, vegetation and livestock are under threat.
With no regular rainfall since 2010, vegetation and livestock are under threat. PHOTO: MEHMOOD QURESHI/EXPRESS
RAHIM YAR KHAN:
After drought hit the district of Tharparkar in Sindh, a similar situation seems to be developing in Cholistan, Punjab, where people have started to migrate to other areas.
With no regular rainfall since 2010, the vegetation and livestock in the desert are under threat – the remains of animals that have died of hunger and thirst dot the landscape of Cholistan.
Migrations have begun to other areas as grazing lands are parched and as fodder becomes scarce. Moreover, reservoirs of water have dried up due to extreme aridity.
An alternative water distribution system is in place in Cholistan but this system is closed for the last six years. The pipelines linked to pumping stations have become useless while their generators have lost their machinery.
However, if the government takes immediate action, this system can still be revived and Cholistan can be spared a Thar-like disaster. The people of the desert demand that the Punjab government take steps to help them before a calamity befalls them. Lest people of the area also start dying like their cattle.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2014.
After drought hit the district of Tharparkar in Sindh, a similar situation seems to be developing in Cholistan, Punjab, where people have started to migrate to other areas.
With no regular rainfall since 2010, the vegetation and livestock in the desert are under threat – the remains of animals that have died of hunger and thirst dot the landscape of Cholistan.
Migrations have begun to other areas as grazing lands are parched and as fodder becomes scarce. Moreover, reservoirs of water have dried up due to extreme aridity.
An alternative water distribution system is in place in Cholistan but this system is closed for the last six years. The pipelines linked to pumping stations have become useless while their generators have lost their machinery.
However, if the government takes immediate action, this system can still be revived and Cholistan can be spared a Thar-like disaster. The people of the desert demand that the Punjab government take steps to help them before a calamity befalls them. Lest people of the area also start dying like their cattle.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2014.