Life in the katcha area adjoining the River Indus is returning to normal as water in the river begins to recede after the latest floods. People return to repair their damaged homes — as they do every year after floods — and prepare fields for cultivation. Interestingly, while generally people dread floods which are now becoming an annual occurrence, people of Sindh’s coastal belt consider it a good omen, as instead of causing much harm it brings abundant livelihood and happiness for them. The reason: it restores a heavily degenerated ecological system.

After causing havoc upstream, when the flood water enters Kotri downstream, which is the most degraded part of Indus basin starting from Hyderabad all the way till it drops into the sea, its advantages surpass its disadvantages. As the riverbed in this part remains dry and barren most of the year with the arrival of fresh water, the flora and fauna in the area takes a new birth; the landscape changes from caked-earth that was formed due to lack of water to gushing streams. For the people whose sustenance entirely depends on fishing, or for those whose lands become infertile due to ever increasing sea water intrusion, this flooding is no less a blessing. The radiant faces of fishermen in Thatta and Sujawal district bear testimony to the fact that biodiversity, as well as economy of this area that is hit hard by climate change is dependent on fresh water in the Indus.

The Kotri downstream, unlike other katcha areas of the Indus basin, gets water only during high flood;

additionally, as the river inches towards the Arabian Sea to form a delta, it expands its bed resulting in an inundation of a huge area and trigger a wide variety of activities. The inundated parts are either used by the forest department for aforestation purposes, or by the local population for cultivation.

Floods brings devastation, destruction and despair but in certain areas receding water after the flooding brings hope and livelihood

“A major chunk of the province’s tree cover consist of riverine and mangrove forests located in this area and their survival is essentially linked with fresh water of the river,” says Manoj Kumar, Range Forest Officer Thatta. “Fresh water brings alluvial soil from its catchment areas which increases soil productivity. We avail of this opportunity every year by planting the seeds of Babool tree in the katcha area,” he added. The forest department’s media archive reveals that last year the same exercise was carried out on more than 7,000 acres of inundated forest land.

Moreover, the inflow of a considerable amount of fresh water into the low-lying delta proves to be an elixir of life for the majority of species which are on the verge of extinction. Unfortunately, considering the extent to which the Indus delta is degraded, one can easily say that this is not a frequent happening. Over the years, sea water has considerably intruded the river’s territory, resulting in water-logging and subsequent infertility of the soil.

According to Fisher Folk Forum — an NGO working for the plight of fishermen — approximately two million acres of coastal areas have become non-productive due to sea water intrusion. “If a substantial amount of fresh water reaches the estuary every year, it would help revive this deteriorated Indus eco-region. It’s the only natural way to thwart this menace of sea water encroachment as fresh water enriched with sediments can push it back,” says Iqbal Khuwaja, senior journalist of Thatta. “Sea intrusion has brought life in the delta to a standstill. Not finding a source of sustenance anymore, a large number of people have already migrated, while those who could not are battling for survival.” Khuwaja added.

Fishery is another highly affected sector which is being reinvigorated, though temporarily, as a result of flooding in the river. Although hundreds of fish species have become extinct due to scarcity of fresh water, some typical Indus species have managed to withstand the degradation. Palla (hilsa) is one such species which is found only when a sufficient amount of water flows downstream, since it requires both river and sea water for breeding. This time and location bound availability makes it the most expensive fish: one kilogram costs Rs1,500 to Rs2,000 which increases the fishermen’s earnings manifold. Palla is arguably the best fresh water fish which in local parlance is called the ‘fruit of the river’.

Along with restoring the habitat of fauna and flora, this fresh water flooding invariably brings smiles to the fishermen’s faces — the largest community of the area. For them it is the busiest time of the year. One would find them busy repairing fishnets and old boats on the shores or selling fish in the make-shift huts along the roads. Throughout the year they either remain idle or opt for whatever jobs they can get but when the river is flooded they return to their traditional profession of fishing. “This flooding lasts for a few months so we try to benefit from it fully,” says Vikyo Mallah of Sujawal. Sadly, frequent non-availability of water downstream has forced many of them to abandon the only art they have a mastery over.

Water in the river not only brings livelihood for them but all the colours of their lives as well; even their songs constituting an essential part of the rich folklore are resurrected. Prominent Sindhi poet, Hassan Dars, describes the meaning of happiness in a fisherman’s life beautifully in his verses, which can be translated as:

A fisherwoman walks happily on the shore.

Yesterday she has given birth to a son.

In fact, she has given birth to a fishnet.

Unfortunately, this folklore and its repositories are facing an existential threat owing to disturbance of the ecosystem.

An evening spent boating followed by a delicious Palla fish dinner along the river side is a cherished dream of many which comes true at Al-Manzar — Hyderabad’s only tourist site. During the flooding period, hundreds of people from the city and interior Sindh flock here on a regular basis. Only a 150km drive from the metropolis, the place also attracts people from Karachi.

The liveliness one witnesses among the masses of these areas reflects that flooding in the river is not all about havoc it plays with settlements or the displacement it triggers. It is, in fact, a natural phenomenon which turns into a disaster only in case of high flood or the lack of proper management plan. It also reflects that only a substantial amount of fresh water can protect the lives of thousands of people and preserve biodiversity at the same time.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine October 11th , 2015

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