THATTA, Dec 21: Sindh Minister for Fisheries Zahid Bhurgari said on Sunday that contract and licence systems for fishing would be abolished and replaced with Benazir Bhutto cards for fishermen.

Speaking at Keenjhar Festival organized at the lake by the Indus for All Programme of the WWF, Pakistan, he said that fishermen of the lake would be provided health and education facilities.

He said that Keenjhar was a historic lake of Sindh and efforts would be made to conserve it. He said that Sindh was blessed with 1,209 fresh water resources, which were major source of livelihood of fishing community.

He said that his ministry had undertaken a census of fishermen dependent on wetlands which had never been undertaken in the past. The survey would provide an idea as to how many fishermen depended on wetlands and help in planning for their welfare, he added.

MNA Dr Abdul Wahid Soomro said that Keenjhar was the identity of Thatta district and Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Shaikh Ayaz had repeatedly praised its beauty in their poetry.

Indus for All Programme coordinator Nasir Ali Panhwar said that the WWF, Pakistan, was implementing the programme at four sites, including Keenjhar Lake, to promote participatory sustainable management of natural resources.

He said that under the programme nine community-based organizations had been established, covering 39 villages around the lake.

He said that livelihood plans were being prepared in consultation with communities to explore alternative sources of livelihood, which would help reduce the pressure on the lake.

Highlighting significance of the lake, he said that it was declared game sanctuary in 1971, wildlife sanctuary in 1977 and Ramsar site in 1976.

He said that being located on the Indus flyway zone, the lake used to attract thousands of migratory birds but due to environmental degradation, a sharp decline in their arrival had been reported.

During the festival, boat race and Malakhro (local wrestling) were held and a play highlighting the conditions of the lake was staged.