The Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB) general council has expressed its strong reservations over the government intentions to construct Kalabagh Dam (KBD) during its meeting held here on Saturday. Abdul Majeed Nizamani chaired the meeting and was attended by council members from all over the province.
The Board said it had failed to comprehend why the government wanted to impose upon people a controversial water reservoir like Kalabagh Dam whereas more water could be conserved through better management and distribution of resources.
The council members discussed in detail the political, technical and economic aspects and the resolutions passed by all three assemblies of smaller provinces against the construction of KBD. They discussed world commission report on dam, world warming and growing industrial communication, natural clamities, trade imbalance, high tariff in export of vegetable, rice and cotton, and growing pressure on national economy. They suggested that small water reservoirs should be constructed on participatory basis wherever those were feasible.
The council demanded of the President, Prime Minister, National Assembly and the Senate to redo a thorough study over the construction of Dam, which might result in disharmony amongst the people.
The Council demanded further said 1991 Water Accord should be implemented in letter and spirit. Desilting of Mangla, Tarbela and Chashma should be carried out by applying modern technology. It said irrigation system should be streamlined and all corrupt and inept officials should be screened out and pace of lining project to improve watercourses should be accelerated to save 30.93 MAF water out of 177.34 MAF and schemes should be introduced to harness rain water in the country.
The council also demanded that modern methods of irrigation should be applied, less water consuming, and water logging and salinity resistant crops should be encouraged.
The council unanimously resolved that Rice growers should be protected and watercourses should be lined up to 60 per cent. The rotation system should be stopped and those watercourses, which fell under the system, should be exonerated from paying water tax. The sugar mills should be directed to start crushing season or legal action should be initiated against such mills.