THATTA, Dec 29: The members of Friends of Indus Forum have called upon the legislators, policy makers and relevant ministries to ensure release of an optimal level of water to the Indus Delta.

In its fourth meeting held at Jangi Sar near Keti Bundar and attended by Ali Akbar Kalhoro, Naseer Memon, Prof Qalandar Shah, Dr A.M Dharejo, Nasir Ali Panhwar, Majeed Mangrio, Zubeda Birwani, Khalil Yousfani, Ali Mohammed Shaikh, Majeed Thaheem, Zahid Jalbani and others, who observed that shortage of water in the Indus was the major cause of the ecological threats being faced by the Indus eco-region.

They said that decreasing level of water in the River Indus has contributed to many threats including sea intrusion, land degradation, decreasing cover of natural forests, shrinkage of aquifers, turning of fresh water bodies into brackish ones, loss of biodiversity, deterioration of water quality and associated health hazards.

They said that it was the mighty Indus, which provided prosperity to the region, shaped different kinds of habitats where human and nature lived in harmony. However, the vicious cycle of the destruction of natural resources and the resulting poverty in the eco-region had been exacerbated in the recent years.

This trend has further necessitated the need to address the poverty and subsequently change the present state of natural resources through preserving the biodiversity and richness of the eco-region.

Originating at Lake Ngangla Ringco high on the Tibetan Plateau, the Indus travels over 3,000 kilometres to reach Arabian Sea through mountains, plains and deltaic ecosystems with a unique range of geographical features and biodiversity.

It is the lifeline of Pakistan as 85 per cent of the population residing in the region directly depends on its water. Its waters are home to one of the few species of freshwater dolphin worldwide, the Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor) and numerous species of distinctive fishes, many of which live in or migrate through the waters of the Indus River delta. Important food species like large fresh water shrimp are part of the abundant aquatic life of the delta.They said, the Indus delta was environmentally healthy till half a century back as it received sufficient flow of water but, with the construction of reservoirs, canals and barrages upstream, the water supply to the lower reaches of the Indus decreased. The situation worsened whenever there were no or very little rains, and sometimes almost drought-like situation.

The Forum while expressing concern on the situation, said that due to reduced flow of annual fresh water below Kotri, the situation in the Indus delta was becoming alarming, not only affecting the human and wildlife but harming the flora and fauna.

The participants observed that the negative impacts included increase in salinity, sea intrusion, change in geo-morphology, adverse impact on vegetation, habitat and biodiversity losses, social impact on unemployment.

They noted that mangrove ecosystem was being degraded and is now virtually mono-specific and comparatively stunted with 1.8 per cent losses per year due to reduced water flows, and over-use. Lack of drinking water and livelihood opportunities have forced the people of coastal area to migrate to other places.

The speakers were of the view that the impact on agriculture was also negative due to which value of agriculture land has been reduced. The prize of brown rice, milk, butter, palla fish, marine, wildlife, agriculture, and invertebrates, drinking water etc. either had disappeared or had been threatened due to shortage of water and pollution which has resulted into poverty, unemployment and migration of the inhabitants of the area.