DADU, Feb 20: Leaders of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum have rejected construction of a dam on the Nai Gaaj saying it will stop Manchhar lake from getting rainwater. They said different species of fish, migratory birds and animals were dying due to release of brackish water of the main Nara valley drain into the lake.

Talking to reporters at the Dadu press club on Monday, PFF vice-president Ghulam Mustafa Mirani, Malook Mallah and Moula Bux Mallah said that release of brackish water was creating environmental hazards and pollution.

Members of the PFF also held a protest demonstration against release of brackish water into the lake. They said that fishing and hunting of migratory birds were source of livelihood of thousands fishermen of the area.

They said that fishermen were using lake’s water for drinking purpose due to which they were suffering from gastroenteritis, typhoid and skin diseases. They said about 30,000 fishermen with 400 boats had migrated to other places in search of livelihood.

They said WHO teams had recently taken samples of water from Manchhar and warned fishermen not to use this water for drinking which would be dangerous for their health.

They regretted that the government had not set up water treatment plants at Manchhar.

They said that the lake had been a big source of sweet water harvested from Nai Gaaj in the rainy season but Wapda officials were constructing a dam which would stop water into the lake and would destroy it.

They said the lake was the best tourism place in Sindh which could be further developed.

They said the government had launched the RBOD to protect the lake from pollution but irrigation officials were delaying construction.

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