MITHI, Jan 25: The government and NGOs should devise a comprehensive policy to mitigate the suffering of drought-hit Thar people. This was demanded by the speakers at a meeting held here on Saturday under the aegis of Maruara Coordination Council.

District Naib Nazim Ramsingh Sodho said Thar had been hit hard by drought, earthquake, cyclone or monsoon rains. He said the phenomena had caused ground water depletion, degradation of lands and destruction of flora and fauna.

He said calamities had claimed lives of people, animals, reptiles and birds but irony was the relevant quarters had not been able to devise a sustainable drought-combating strategy.

Mr Sodho said the people were lacking the knowledge about the ways storage of grass or corn for hard days, proper upkeep of livestock, changing the pattern of crops and management of water resources.

Dhaat and Thar president Qasim Soomro said the government should ensure adequate stock of grain and other required commodities were available at its godowns in every union council for emergency requirements.

He said before the Independence the administration used to declare the region a calamity-hit area by Aug 15 but the strategy was not continued. He said efforts were needed to formulate a befitting disaster management policy with the participation of the local people.

The district government should be fully authorized not only to declare Tharparkar a calamity-hit area but it should also be provided funds for relief operations, he suggested.

Khatau Jani said though Thar was hit by earthquake, cyclone 2-A, droughts and recent heavy rains but the relevant quarters could not undertake adequate relief measures.

Twenty people, who were assigned the task to conduct drought management survey in 47 union councils of Thar and Umerkot, said most of the people were living miserable lives due to incessant drought and government apathy of not providing healthcare, education, communication and water facilities. Dr Jaimal, Ram Lal, Darya Khan Samejo, Bharumal and Miandad Rahimoon also spoke on the occasion.