The Pakistani government’s approval of a plan to construct six new canals from the Indus River has triggered widespread concern among the people of Sindh and environmental experts. Critics argue that the project not only violates the fundamental rights of Sindh’s residents but also threatens to turn fertile lands barren and disrupt the region’s delicate ecological balance.
The proposed canals, aimed at irrigating arid regions like Cholistan and Thar, are part of a larger initiative to support corporate farming across 4.8 million acres of land nationwide. However, experts warn that the project could lead to the destruction of riverside communities and ecosystems, while also breaching inter-provincial water-sharing agreements.
In the Senate, the upper house of Pakistan’s parliament, the plan has faced intense scrutiny. Senators have called for the issue to be addressed by the Council of Common Interests (CCI), emphasizing the need for consensus among stakeholders. Sherry Rehman, Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party and parliamentary leader in the Senate, condemned the proposal, stating that it disregards Sindh’s rights. She warned that irrigating Cholistan’s barren lands could render Sindh’s fertile areas unproductive, displacing 20 million people and jeopardizing agricultural output.
Senator Kamran Murtaza of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) echoed these concerns, noting that the 1991 Water Accord is already under strain. He argued that the project could only be justified if surplus water were available, which is currently not the case.
Advocate Wassand Thari, President of the Sindh People’s Movement, highlighted the dire consequences for the Indus Delta, the world’s fifth-largest delta and a Ramsar site. He warned that the new canals would exacerbate the delta’s degradation, leading to environmental crises with global implications.
Environmental experts stress that the Indus River system has been heavily altered over the past 150 years, with the delta’s water flow drastically reduced. Nasir Memon, an expert on climate change and water issues, pointed out that the delta currently receives far less water than the minimum 10 million acre-feet stipulated under the 1991 accord. He described the canal project as an interference with natural systems, emphasizing the need for water to reach the delta to maintain ecological balance.
Experts have urged the government to explore sustainable alternatives for corporate farming, such as water filtration systems, pipelines, and modern irrigation technologies like hydroponics and drip irrigation. Dr. Hassan Abbas, a water resources specialist, suggested that pipelines could not only ensure efficient water transfer but also provide clean water to underserved communities along the way.
The consensus among experts is clear: the government must prioritize environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions to avoid further ecological damage and protect the rights of the people. As the debate continues, the fate of Sindh’s water resources and its communities hangs in the balance.
