2 days Ago By Dr Kamal Monnoo
Water scarcity is an existential threat confronting Pakistan. In such a situation, diverting Indus River water from fertile lands — the breadbasket of this country — to barren lands in Cholistan makes no sense. The Federal Government must come forward and educate the people.
Pakistan’s economy is primarily agro-based, and this will remain so until ground realities change. We must invest in human resource development, necessary for indigenous progress in science and technology, instead of focusing on real estate development. Merit must prevail.
The erosion of Sindh’s coastal belt is due to the soft soil along the seashore. Natural forms of erosion prevention include maintaining native vegetation such as mangrove forests and coral reefs, or building dykes, seawalls, and groynes, which interrupt water flow and limit sediment movement. Seawalls last 50–100 years, while groynes offer 30–40 years of protection.
Unfortunately, natural habitats are being cleared to facilitate land takeovers by real estate tycoons and developers, often with the Sindh Government’s support. Hundreds of thousands of acres have been given to them. Digital Future Conserving existing water resources and ensuring fair distribution is vital.
There should be a freeze on offering coastal land to developers and a ban on subsidised golf courses for the elite. Merely politicising the crisis will not solve it. The Sindh Government should build water storage dams along the water flow path, allowing only minimal water to reach the sea.
MALIK TARIQ ALI, Lahore. Tags: sindh coastal land.
