KARACHI, Oct 18: The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) has initiated a study of the possible negative impact of the proposed ‘Diamond Bar Island City’ project to be undertaken by a Dubai-based company.

The federal government’s agreement with the company, Emmar, may deprive hundreds of thousands fishermen of their livelihood, besides posing a threat to environment and marine life, as well as the national security, according to a spokesman for the PFF.

He said in a statement on Wednesday that the proposed study included environmental and socio-economic impact, historical background of the land and people of Buddo (Dingi) and Bundal (Bhuddar) islands to be used as project site and depletion of the fish resources. Legal position of Sindh, role of media and struggle of the PFF would also be a part of the study, he added.

The PFF fears that the project would not only threaten the livelihood of the fishermen in creeks, but would also close their way in to the deep-sea. It would endanger the environment in general and mangrove forests and wetlands in particular, it maintains.