THE people belonging to all strata of society thronged at the banks all over Sindh to mark 'Indus River Day' on Jan 24.

They threw rosé petals in almost the dried river bed and prayed for restoration of its past magnificence.

However, besides shortage of water, which is mainly on account of reduction in water flow in tributaries which discharge ultimately into the Indus, the threat of contamination the Indus is facing is man-made.

This threat comes from release of effluent and industrial and chemical wastes into the river bed throughout its voyage right from Kalabagh, where it enters into plains.

Qazi Bashir, in his letter 'Saving the Indus' (Feb 24, 2008) has rightly said that because of blatant release of all sorts of effluent, the Indus has been turned into a “world's great 'nullah', a sewerage drain”.

Situation has exacerbated further so much so that after the shortage of water in the river people are forced to drink highly contaminated water. They now suffer from various waterborne diseases throughout the province.

There is a need to observe 'Indus River purification day' to bring an end to the river's pollution.

Also, authorities should right away enforce Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 to safeguard biodiversity and keep clean and healthy our rivers and marine ecosystems.

It is time treatment plants were set up all over the country to cleanse sewerage and industrial waste and utilise its water for cultivation instead of releasing the wastes into rivers.

All those who dare to violate the law and damage our ecosystem should be taken to task, irrespective of their rank and social position.

ISHA KURESHI
Karachi