DERA GHAZI KHAN, May 7: The Sindhu Bachao Tarla (an organisation of indigenous people to initiate struggle to save the Indus River and its ecology) has demanded that the chief minister replace the existing contractual fishing with license system. It said the provincial government has already abolished the contract system to strengthen the livelihood of indigenous communities who depend upon the mighty Indus River.

Tarla Representative Zafar Lund told Dawn that communities like Kihals, Mors, Bhials, Mohanas and Kotanas had been dependent on fishing for their livelihood for centuries. Besides fishing, their other occupations include: ferrying people across the river and making crafts like baskets, hand-fans, mats and brooms. They, however, suffered a huge livelihood blow with the construction of dams and barrages, particularly after the Indus Basin Treaty, 1960. He said even though the modern irrigation system and other green revolution technologies had brought more and more land under cultivation, but such developments had their greater social and environmental cost.

With the increasing realisation across the world about the vulnerabilities of indigenous people to development and modernisation, special laws are being made to protect their rights. To ensure their livelihood, security and provide them health, education, clean drinking water, sanitation and other facilities, special initiatives designed in consultation with them are being taken in the developed world.

He said that in Pakistan the indigenous people and other disadvantaged groups, however, continue to be neglected by the government in development as the policies and decisions were increasing their sufferings.

Another Tarla representative Sawan Bhail told Dawn the contract system in fishing was a discriminatory policy against the indigenous fisher-folks.

Sheikh Gulzar, who owns a boat and has been earning his livelihood before the imposition of contract system, is a sanitary worker in Model Town in Dera Ghazi Khan. Now, he uses his pair of oars to clear the choked gutters and sewerage pipelines.

In case of indigenous people living in the vicinity of Taunsa Barrage, the recent World Bank-funded Taunsa Barrage Emergency Rehabilitation and Modernisation Project has really made their life pathetic, alleged Tarla officials, they say the project displaced hundreds of indigenous communities of Taunsa Barrage.

Mr Lund demanded that the government plan a policy on fisheries to ensure rehabilitation of river ecology and livelihood safeguards for fisher-folks and other marginalised communities living along the rivers in Punjab.

He demanded a certain area along either side of the Indus and other rivers be declared as sanctuary for local flora and fauna. Agriculture should be completely banned in the sanctuary; however, indigenous communities should be given special rights to grow forests in the sanctuary.

A complete ban on hunting and poaching should be imposed, particularly in sanctuaries.

Hazardous fishing practices like catching nursery and small fish through special nets and fishing during breeding season of fish should be discouraged through legal measures. Special arrangements should be made to provide health, education by establishing boat schools, water and sanitation facilities to the indigenous communities.

Transportation of goods and passengers through river up stream and down stream should be restored as it is the cheapest means of communications.

He demanded the government promote tourism through boat voyage which would also improve the livelihood of fishermen.