Thatta: Organizations representing the fishermen community, Environmentalists, and leaders of public opinion expressed serious concerns and resentment over the ruination of the Indus delta owing to the low inflow of freshwater downstream, in a workshop convened apropos to international rivers day to be observed on 14th March.
Addressing the workshop organized by Fisher Folk Forum at Makli Gymkhana here on Thursday Yasmeen Shah, Environmentalist Professor Mukhtiyar Maher, Social Activist Mir Mohammad Baloch, Engineer Obhayo Kaushik, Waqar- Nisa, Ayaz Lashari, Hyder Shoro, Mahboob Brohi Iqbal Jakhro, and others said that; The delta was being destroyed under a deep-rooted intrigue by not releasing the required amount of water downstream.
They further said that the 17 creeks of the Indus delta through which the mighty river met the Arabian Sea were also on the brink of destruction.
The speakers stressed the importance of Personhood rights for the River Indus in the light of international law and treaties and said that the concerned authorities should take decisive measures to protect the Indus delta from destruction.
Rising the environmental challenges they said that; Following inadequate inflow of freshwater sea was pocketing large scale of land in the areas of Keti bunder and Kharochan.
Highlighting the importance of the Water accords and proposals presented by the senate standing committee they said that: Due rights should be given to the Indus river as per the water accords and required water should be supplied to the Indus delta or else the population of the coastal district would face ghastly consequences.
They denounced the mysterious silence of the provincial and federal government about the issue and said they would march to Islamabad for the survival of the Indus delta and the survival of the people of the coastal region.
It was unanimously decided that a phase-wise campaign would be launched to create awareness regarding international Rivers Day and for the personhood Rights of the Indus river.