Dying Indus Delta threatens coastal livelihoods and Karachi’s future, speakers warn

Karachi: The once thriving Indus Delta, a vital ecosystem supporting communities, fisheries, and agriculture, is now deteriorating rapidly due to inadequate freshwater and sediment flow from the river, leaving coastal regions of Thatta, Sujawal, and Keti Bandar vulnerable and forcing residents to abandon their traditional livelihoods.

This was a primary concern highlighted by experts at a book launch ceremony at the Arts Council of Pakistan on Tuesday, where they warned that the delta's degradation poses a threat not only to Sindh's coastal communities but also to Karachi's future. The book, written in English by water expert Naseer Memon, titled "The Disappearing Delta: Ecological Devastation and Imperilled Livelihood in the Indus Delta," aims to make the issue accessible to younger generations and raise awareness about this critical crisis.

Memon traced the delta's decline to the construction of the Upper Bari Doab Canal in 1859 and subsequent interventions like dams and canals that disrupted the river's natural water distribution. He criticized the notion of water flowing into the sea as "wastage," emphasizing the importance of freshwater for maintaining the delta's ecological balance.

The delta's water requirements should be recognized as a natural right, according to Memon. The loss of mangrove forests and increasing seawater intrusion further exacerbate the situation, threatening Karachi's resilience to flooding and other climate-related challenges. The event was attended by journalists, environmentalists, and government officials who stressed the need for collective action to address the delta's decline and prevent further ecological devastation.