Hirrak Development, an organisation working for the rights of an indigenous community of Sindh riverbed, Kehal/Mor, has urged the Punjab government to end fishing contract system and issue them special licenses for fishing in Indus River for their livelihood.
The demand was raised by the volunteers of Hirrak Development Zafar Lund, Rizwana and Zulfiqar in a briefing to Lahore Economic Journalist Association (LEJA) here on Wednesday. The discussion was arranged by the Actionaid, a non-government organisation assisting the Hirrak Development for the struggle of Kehal community.
They pointed out that before partition the community was living in good condition, as there was no restriction on fishing in Indus River. However, after partition, the government introduced contract system for fishing for revenue generation because of which, they are now leading a miserable life. The community comprises of almost 40,000 people residing in a 350-kilometre strip of Indus River stretched from Taunsa Barrage to Chashma Barrage. The community lives in riverbed, which is also known as katcha area, and totally dependent upon fishing for their livelihood.
They said that the fishing contract system destroyed their life, as the contractors were exploiting them. The contractors take labour from them for fishing in the Indus River and pay only Rs 10 per kg for fishing, which is sold at Rs 300 and above per kg. The contractors are influential of the areas and are also destroying the river eco system by illegally fishing during the fish breading period of May to August with the involvement of administration, they alleged. They said that out of total 40,000 people only two people have little ability to write, while rests are completely illiterate.
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