DADU, Nov 21: Fishermen have demanded release of fresh water into the Manchhar Lake from the Indus river to reduce the salinity of the lake water.

Talking to newsmen, the vice-chairman of the Pakistan Fisher folk Forum, Ghulam Mustafa Mirani and Manchhar lake unit president Hoot Mallah said waterborne diseases were spreading in the area and fish catch had decreased due to lack of sweet water.

They said 250 cusecs of sweet water had been released into the Manchhar Lake from the Rice Canal through the MNV drain which continued only for 20 days. They said the MNV drain was now discharging saline water which had increased the salinity of the lake.

They said the water level had risen to ten feet and this all was saline water which had reduced fish catch. They said the water level should be maintained at eight feet and more sweet water from the Indus river be released in the lake.

They said a large number of fishermen had migrated to Gwadar, Ormara and Pisni and at present only 250 to 300 boats were operating in the lake. They said grass which was the source of food for fish and birds had been destroyed due to the increase in salinity.

They said the officials of the RBOD and contractors were delaying work on construction of the drain which was aimed at carrying saline water of the main Nara valley to the sea.