The Gorano pond is a unique newly created wetland as it has attracted birds and also proved beneficial for rearing various kinds of farm fish in addition to providing ecotourism opportunities in the area, observes International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Field Survey of Gorano Pond, located near Engro Energy's Thar coal mining area, was conducted by IUCN, which is considered a global authority on the status different ecosystems and the measures needed to safeguard them. The report prepared by the ecological watchdog reviews flora and fauna of Gorano reservoir that has started rejuvenating habitat amid largely lifeless sandy desert.
Prof Z B Mirza, author of the report, shares findings of field visit to newly formed water pond close to village Gorano. The report also suggests further ecological uplifting of this artificially created wetland to attract more water birds, particularly the wintering migratory waterfowl.
Gorano water pond was artificially created with the construction of two earth bunds on 1500 acres of interdunal land on both sides after pumping of subsoil water from the Thar Block II coal mine into the pond in April 2017. The water was confined between two parallel sand dune ranges, by creating earth bunds on both sides.
Later in the year 2017, various kinds of farm fish were introduced in the pond by Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) - a flagship mining company of Engro Energy - which has started giving yield. The fish species were also certified as fit for human consumption by independent, competent laboratories.
The availability of small fish has also attracted several beautiful fish-eating birds like Little Grebes, Cormorants, Pelicans and White-breasted Kingfishers to the pond. The presence of these birds has been physically witnessed at Gorano Reservoir.
This area has also great potential for ecotourism, through which funds can be generated for the maintenance of the area and for the local community welfare. Ecotourism is suited to this area as such activity involves visit to such area without spoiling its ecological setup. The IUCN suggested that crowd tourism should be discouraged and limited eco-tourism should be introduced.
There are persons who would like to visit the real Thar Desert and the newly created desert wetland ecosystem with its flora and fauna. The funds generated from ecotourism will be available for the benefit of the local communities as well as for the maintenance of the area.
The IUCN in its report also recommends measures for further enriching biodiversity of the Gorano Pond. It suggests bringing bottom mud and other living creatures of a roadside similar wetland situated near Thatta to Gorano Pond. This step is likely to be successful to enrichment of the aquatic biodiversity of the newly created pond, observes the IUCN.
According to SECMC, with a vision of developing Gorano Reservoir, the company plans to develop this area for generating healthy activities for locals as well visitors. Rising of fish on a large scale in Gorano Reservoir, for instance, is aimed at providing livelihood opportunities for local Thari people whilst also focusing on the aspect of community nutrition. The successful fish farming of various species with 60 percent average breeding ratio.
In addition to taking steps for enriching wildlife at Gorano pond, the company has also taken measures for promoting eco-cultural tourism at Gorano. A MoU has been signed in this connection with Hashoo Foundation to develop Gorano and Thar as an eco-cultural tourism spot for developing this area as part of company's vision of sustainable towns and communities. Hence, SECMC is optimistic about transforming newly created desert wetland into a vibrant addition in the ecosystem having flourishing flora and fauna.