IT is good to know that the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Science and Technology will deliberate on sea intrusion at Indus delta and its perils upon local people.

Being fifth largest delta in the world and a designated wetland according to the Ramsar Convention, it has remained an oasis for exotic birds and fish and provides livelihood for local fishing and agricultural communities.

A 15-month study conducted by five academics of the United States-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCASW) at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, says the Indus delta has shrunk by 92 per cent since 1833.

The Indus delta which once comprised 12,900 sq-km is now restricted to a meagre 1,000 sq-km. The Board of Revenue, Sindh, says that thousands of acres of fertile land has been swallowed up by the sea.

The main reason behind degradation of the Indus delta is the diminishing flow of water in the river Indus. The 1991 Waters Accord states that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has to release at least 10 million acres feet of water downstream of Kotri barrage but currently is releasing 0.8 million.

As a result, coastal erosion owing to a shortage of water has impoverished already marginalised people of Thatta and Sujawal districts.

Besides, about 1.2 million people have migrated to various villages of Karachi alone from Thatta, Sujawal and Badin areas. This degradation of Indus delta is equally harmful for the ecosystem. The availability of Palla fish has also decreased considerably.

The National Institute of Oceanography Amendment Bill, 2019 is the need of the hour.

Ali Raza Awan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2020