MANCHAR is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in Asia, located 18km in west of Sehwan. It collects its water from the Kirthar mountain range and empties it into the Indus river. The lake’s surface area fluctuates with seasons, from as small as 36km to as wide as 500km during monsoon rains.

The lake is populated by thousands of boat people and fisherfolk who earn their livelihood from it. National and international visitors come to enjoy the beauty of the lake and its residents earn an income from catering to their needs. Besides fisherfolk, carpenters, boatmen and huntsmen are dependent upon this lake as a source of livelihood. The lake also irrigates 600,000 acres.

Despite all these benefits that the lake has to offer, it faces multiple challenges.

The diversion of water from the Indus and a diminished storm runoff from the Kirthar mountains have contributed to a reduction in fresh water supplies, resulting in the water becoming saline. This phenomena is killing fish. At the same time, saline drainage water from the agricultural fields of Balochistan and surrounding areas are allowed to flow into Lake Manchar.

At present the lake is facing an acute shortage of fresh water input. This has led to an across-the-board fall in economic activities for all professions residing around the lake. This is an appeal to the Sindh government and the lake management to take immediate measures to save the lake and restore it to its former pristine self.

Imtiaz Halepoto

Jamshoro

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2020