Proposed reservoirs face new odds: Water downstream Kotri
By Khaleeq Kiani
ISLAMABAD, Oct 6: The independent consultants have identified a requirement of at least 20 maf (million acre feet) of river flows downstream Kotri to counter looming ecological disaster and up to seven maf sea intrusion, it is learnt.
This is the finding of two separate studies conducted by two different consultants appointed by the government to ascertain water requirement downstream Kotri as agreed to under the 1991 water accord.
The findings of the two reports have added a new dimension to the dispute over construction of new reservoirs as the Punjab government and Wapda have been estimating only 10 maf of water requirement downstream Kotri to avoid sea intrusion-related losses.
The study-I on water requirement downstream Kotri to counter sea intrusion has found that more than seven maf of water was required specifically to stop sea intrusion up to Shirazi Bund in wet season.
In dry season, the water requirement has been estimated at three MAF per year while in average flows, a minimum of five maf of water flow downstream Kotri was recommended as ‘inevitable’.
The sources said the report also suggested an option of installation of gates to save 35-km stretch inside delta and up to Shirazi Bund but the Sindh government has raised objections over the option of gates.
The objections, that have been made part of the report, suggest that the gate structures at Chotiari region to prevent negative impact of the Left Bank Outfall Drain have proved counterproductive and added to the devastation.
The study-II has been conducted by a four-member joint venture which has submitted its final draft report on ecological impact of water shortage downstream Kotri.
The study has recommended a total of 20 MAF of water downstream Kotri — including 15 maf for mangrove forests, 0.25 maf for agriculture, 0.301 maf for fisheries, 0.14 maf for environmental protection and 0.36 maf for drinking and household water requirements.
The report says the reduction in river flows has caused ‘severe damage’ to the delta, about 43 per cent of mangrove forests have been eliminated and 15 maf of water is required to avoid further loss.
The report says about 7,317 hectares of agricultural land has been intruded by sea and another 740 hectares of land is being claimed by sea every year.
The report further says about 30 per cent of forests has been damaged over the past 30 years and the annual ratio of forest loss has increased manifold in the last five years. A number of species of trees have vanished in the areas downstream Kotri.
The study says the reduction in water flows downstream Kotri has completely wiped out a number of fish families and famous Palla fish is nearing extinction.
To save further fish losses, at least 0.301 maf of water is required below Kotri at the rate of at least 4000 cusec per day, it adds.
The report further finds that environmental pollution has increased due to decrease in river flows and increase in industrial waste, and at least 0.14 maf of water per annum is required to rectify the situation.
The report also notes with concern that agricultural land has suffered a lot of losses and soil conditions in the delta of Thatta has totally changed over the years. Hence, 0.25 maf of water was required below Kotri every year to counter further losses.
It says the supply of drinking water has decreased a lot in areas downstream Kotri and underground water quality has been damaged, which requires at least 0.36 maf of water every year.
It says drinking water requirement below Kotri currently stands at about 11 million gallons per day (mgd), and the requirement will increase to 20 mgd by 2030.
Hence, sufficient allocation for drinking purposes needs to be made on a permanent basis, according to the study.
