Hundreds of traditional fishermen families from marine and inland water bodies will stage a protest demonstration to voice their anger against the persisting water shortage downstream of Kotri barrage on August 19 at Kotri Bridge.
The fishermen along with their families from Keti Bunder, Zero Point Badin, Keenjhar, Hyderabad, Kotri and Jamshoro are expected to participate the demonstration to protest against the fresh water shortage downstream of Kotri barrage.
The spokesman of the fishermen folk forum alleged, "government authorities have no role to save Indus Delta and hundreds of other water bodies in the province. At least 600 water bodies out of total 1,200 have been dehydrated due to acute shortage of water in the river Indus."
Mustafa Meerani, vice chairperson of Pakistan Fishermen Folk Forum in his brief said that "hundreds of traditional fishermen families engaged at inland fisheries have started migrating towards other areas in the search of livelihood because there is no fresh water downstream Kotri."
He said that the event might be unique in its nature as hundreds of womenfolk and children of victim families of Deltaic region, and inland waters will take part in the procession. Besides, NGOs and CBOs representatives have also been invited to make the rally effective.
Rally will end at Hyderabad Press Club where leaders of the victim fishermen community as well as other people will address.
Saeed Baloch, PFF Secretary said "government has taken no initiative to invite the community people to prepare any policy draft.
The community people are real victims of certain decisions being made at federal and provincial capitals. He said traditional fish workers are being forced to be jobless as fish catch is declining with the passage of time.
The forum also criticised the deep-sea policy under which huge vessels were allowed which had ruin the fish stocks. Illegal netting at creeks and other outlets were also criticised.
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