Speakers have said that vast coastal areas in Sindh province have been intruded by seawater disturbing the livelihood of common man as required amount of water to downstream and delta is not being released.
The intrusion of seawater could have been resisted if proper and required amount of freshwater had been released by the federal government, they said, adding that thousands of acres of land were intruded in Badin and Thatta districts by seawater.
They said this while speaking on the occasion of "World Water Day 2015" held at SEARCH office Hyderabad on Sunday which was organized by Indus Future Foundation (IFF) where a large number of civil society, media, students and other stakeholders participated.
Chairman Hari and Poriyat Council, Punal Sario said that thousands of acres of land were intruded by seawater in Badin and Thatta districts and the State should ensure the release of freshwater into seawater to stop such intrusion.
The Sindh University conducted studies on this issue where it showed intensity of problem if it was not resolved in time, he said, adding it also showed that if such intrusion continued on this speed, majority areas of Badin and Thatta and Karachi would be submerged by seawater within short span of time.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SEARCH, Waheed Jamali said that the intrusion of sea water also caused various other problems where the ground water had been saline which could not be fit for drinking.
"It has affected other various crops and other livelihoods in the province and it needs to be addressed on emergency basis," he demanded.
Co-ordinator Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Dr Ashothama said that the water was fundamental right of every person but after every passing day it was being previous resources where multi-national companies were selling at exorbitant prices and they were putting it in bottle.
Aside from this, other resources of water are depleting speedily due to not renewing groundwater because the freshwater is not being released in Indus, he added.
Chairman Indus Future Foundation, Asghar Laghari said that the government should take appropriate measures to resolve such issues.
Besides, the irrigation system in province should be improved for transparent distribution of water among small growers and farmers and for preventing losses of water occurring due to water seepage as the scarcity of water could be eliminated in the province.
Member of the HRCP, Sahib Oad said that there was a need of dialogue on the issue and in addition to this, the civil society should take all efforts to get it resolved.
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