THATTA: Growth of gigantic wind power installations along Jhimpir wind corridor has on one hand led to a rise in pollution due to discharge of untreated industrial effluent into environment and blockage of natural rainwater routes, while on the other hand it has disrupted Indus flyway, disturbing movement of migratory birds, complain villagers and environmentalists.

There are 17 operational power-producing installations and 11 under-construction plants in Jhimpir, a tiny hilly town in Khirthar mountain range in Thatta district. The area is surrounded by two major Ramsar sites including Haleji Lake, a known bird-watchers’ paradise, Keenjhar Lake and a small wetland, Hudero.

Environmentalist Nasir Ali Panhwar told Dawn that Keenjhar, Haleji and Hudero wetlands were important habitats for migratory birds, which were already witnessing decline due to a host of factors such as insufficient inflow of fresh water, discharge of untreated agricultural and industrial effluent and increase in water salinity, he said, adding the wind turbines might further aggravate the situation.

Kamal Palari, a local social activist, said that overall human activities and 92-meter high wind turbine rotators of over 400 turbines had not only caused disruption in birds’ passage but also remained an increasing cause of shrinkage of livelihood resources.

The area’s residents Ayub Mallah, Kamal Palari, Anees Hillayo and others said that wind power installations had blocked and damaged major rainwater routes ie Loyach, Rudh and Sorh Nai, with the result that the villages’ population could neither reserve rainwater to irrigate their land nor store it for domestic use.

The villagers regretted damage to environment and made it clear that “none of us — the Kohistan residents — are against development but we mean to say that with damage to natural rainwater routes and the Indus flyway, protecting interests of local communities and pursuance of corporate social responsibility is futile for hundreds of villages surviving exclusively on this environment”.

A group of young men who wished not to be named said the wind power companies denied jobs to locals and unfortunately, whenever they raised voice against it they faced trouble from the “henchman” of the industrialists.

They claimed that the damage was not contained to environment only; it was extended to heritage sites as well. So far, a number of stone engraved areas and structures had been damaged during the installation of power plants.

They admitted that only a handful of companies had fulfilled their responsibilities under the CSR and provided water supply to Jhimpir, a school bus, lavatories, school staff, solar lights and medical camps in the area to provide healthcare to the poor.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2021