Lake Manchhar: Lake Manchhar: a classic example of how a classic example of how

water projects affect water projects affect sustainable livelihoodssustainable livelihoods

Ali Abbas QazilbashAli Abbas Qazilbash

Ali Ahmed RindAli Ahmed Rind

Population & Environment Communication Center, Population & Environment Communication Center, SDPISDPI

IntroductionIntroduction

Location: West of Sewhan, Dadu district, Location: West of Sewhan, Dadu district, Sindh; 200 kms north of Karachi.Sindh; 200 kms north of Karachi.

Manchhar Lake is a vast natural Manchhar Lake is a vast natural depression, surrounded by hills of Khirthur depression, surrounded by hills of Khirthur mountain range to the west, Lakki hills to mountain range to the west, Lakki hills to the South, the Indus to the East and a the South, the Indus to the East and a flood protection bund to the north east. flood protection bund to the north east.

Largest Freshwater Body in all of South Largest Freshwater Body in all of South Asia ranging from 60 to 200 sq.km in area Asia ranging from 60 to 200 sq.km in area depending on the seasonal variations.depending on the seasonal variations.

Feeding SourcesFeeding SourcesThere are three main feeding sources:There are three main feeding sources:

1.1. Main Nara Valley Drain (MNVD), Main Nara Valley Drain (MNVD), which which later become the Right Bank later become the Right Bank Out-fall Drain Out-fall Drain (RBOD) from Hammal (RBOD) from Hammal Lake and drainage Lake and drainage canals from the canals from the districts north of the lake.districts north of the lake.

2.2. The River Indus, through 2 canals:The River Indus, through 2 canals:

Aral & DaniestarAral & Daniestar

3.3. Rain fed Hill torrents from Khirthar Rain fed Hill torrents from Khirthar Hills Hills

The uses of Manchhar

Three main uses of this wetland:Three main uses of this wetland:

1.1. Ecological haven for migratory Ecological haven for migratory birdsbirds

2.2. Source of livelihoods for:Source of livelihoods for:

(i)(i) Fishing communities - Fishing communities - fisherfolk - fisherfolk - MohanasMohanas

(ii)(ii) Non-Fishing communities - Non-Fishing communities - farmers; small business farmers; small business

folk / folk / traderstraders

Environmental Environmental DegradationDegradation

Our study identified two main causes of Our study identified two main causes of environmental degradation of the lake:environmental degradation of the lake:

1.1. RBODRBOD

2.2. Reckless fishing practicesReckless fishing practicesMohanas were using DDT mixed in cereal Mohanas were using DDT mixed in cereal

grains as grains as bait and motorized boats to cover larger bait and motorized boats to cover larger areas of areas of water.water.

MNVD/RBODMNVD/RBODMNVD constructed y the British in 1932 to MNVD constructed y the British in 1932 to control floods of Hammal Lake and low lying control floods of Hammal Lake and low lying areas of southern Sindh. areas of southern Sindh.

1982: Government of Pakistan remodeled this 1982: Government of Pakistan remodeled this canal and re-named it RBOD to act as a drain canal and re-named it RBOD to act as a drain to carry off the upstream agricultural to carry off the upstream agricultural runoff/effluents into the Arabian Sea. runoff/effluents into the Arabian Sea.

As this project did not arrive to its desired As this project did not arrive to its desired purpose, the RBOD was re-directed to purpose, the RBOD was re-directed to Manchhar lake as a temporary end point, Manchhar lake as a temporary end point, until the drainage project was completed.until the drainage project was completed.

Environmental Impact of Environmental Impact of MNVD/RBODMNVD/RBOD

The impact of the saline/polluted effluents of The impact of the saline/polluted effluents of the MNVD/RBOD did not appear during the the MNVD/RBOD did not appear during the initial years as the inflow of fresh water from initial years as the inflow of fresh water from the other sources was quite regular and the other sources was quite regular and uninterrupted, thereby diluting the effect of uninterrupted, thereby diluting the effect of the MNVD/RBOD runoff.the MNVD/RBOD runoff.

In the mid 90s, a year after the flood, and In the mid 90s, a year after the flood, and onwards this area experienced a prolonged onwards this area experienced a prolonged drought (5-7 years), which diminished the drought (5-7 years), which diminished the supply of freshwater.supply of freshwater.

Compounded by the upstream water projects Compounded by the upstream water projects the flow of water from the Indus was also cut the flow of water from the Indus was also cut off. off.

Laboratory analysis of water taken Laboratory analysis of water taken from MNVD/RBODfrom MNVD/RBOD

Temp: 25.6Temp: 25.6°°C C

pH: 7.44pH: 7.44

TSS: 562 mg/LTSS: 562 mg/L

TDS: 2,316 mg/L (WHO - TDS: 2,316 mg/L (WHO - 1000 mg/L)1000 mg/L)

Cl: 988 mg/LCl: 988 mg/L

Fl: 1.16 mg/L Fl: 1.16 mg/L

+ve for fecal coliforms 80 mpn/100ml, with +ve for fecal coliforms 80 mpn/100ml, with 120x10120x1033 cfu/ml cfu/ml

Water analysis of samples taken from Water analysis of samples taken from ManchharManchhar

Temp: 26.2Temp: 26.2°°CC

pH: 7.24pH: 7.24

TSS: 1564 mg/LTSS: 1564 mg/L

Cl: 1,930 mg/LCl: 1,930 mg/L

Fl: 1.71 mg/L Fl: 1.71 mg/L

+ve for fecal coliforms with 300x10+ve for fecal coliforms with 300x1033 cfu/ml cfu/ml

Other species include Other species include Bacillus cereusBacillus cereus and and Staphylococcus aureusStaphylococcus aureus

Results of water analysis conducted Results of water analysis conducted by University of Sindh. Year 2001by University of Sindh. Year 2001

University of SindhUniversity of SindhWHOWHO

pHpH 6.9-8.86.9-8.8 6.5-8.56.5-8.5

Total hardness (mg/l) Total hardness (mg/l) 715-966715-966100-500100-500

TDS (mg/l)TDS (mg/l) 757-6360757-6360 10001000

Salinity(mg/l)Salinity(mg/l) 80-560080-5600 0.65-0.65-300300

Chloride (mg/l)Chloride (mg/l) 320-2685320-2685 250250

Impacts of environmental Impacts of environmental degradationdegradation

Dwindling fish catchDwindling fish catchFish catch:Fish catch:

1950 – 3000 tons1950 – 3000 tons

1994 – 300 tons1994 – 300 tons

2003 – less than 100 tons2003 – less than 100 tons

The major fish harvested from these waters today is called the The major fish harvested from these waters today is called the Dayya which is small saline tolerant fish that fetches Rs5-6/kg, but Dayya which is small saline tolerant fish that fetches Rs5-6/kg, but the contractor who buys these fish, dries them and sells them as the contractor who buys these fish, dries them and sells them as poultry feed for Rs 500/40kg (~ Rs 12.5/kgpoultry feed for Rs 500/40kg (~ Rs 12.5/kg).).

Reduced number of migratory birdsReduced number of migratory birds

Poor water quality for irrigation of farm Poor water quality for irrigation of farm landslands

Impacts of environmental degradationImpacts of environmental degradation cont’d...cont’d...

Increase in waterborne diseases; Increase in waterborne diseases;

malnutrition and poor hygiene malnutrition and poor hygiene

Increased incidence of Gastro enteritis, Increased incidence of Gastro enteritis, Tuberculosis and Scurvy (lack of vitamin C)Tuberculosis and Scurvy (lack of vitamin C)

Enhanced POVERTYEnhanced POVERTY

Forced Migration (some 40,000 people are Forced Migration (some 40,000 people are reported to have migrated out of the lake out of reported to have migrated out of the lake out of a total population of 100,000)a total population of 100,000)

Impacts of environmental degradationImpacts of environmental degradation cont’d...cont’d...

So, the diminished catch size, low cash price and loss of So, the diminished catch size, low cash price and loss of aquatic plant life, compounded to enhance poverty aquatic plant life, compounded to enhance poverty amongst the Mohanas. amongst the Mohanas.

Adding to their misery was the lack of clean drinking Adding to their misery was the lack of clean drinking water, low crop yield for the farmers of Manchhar, as water, low crop yield for the farmers of Manchhar, as they too used the lake waters for irrigation, the socio-they too used the lake waters for irrigation, the socio-economic situation of the people of Manchhar economic situation of the people of Manchhar deteriorated.deteriorated.

As a result, the Mohanas began to practice unsavory As a result, the Mohanas began to practice unsavory fishing methods, using DDT, motorized boats, dynamite fishing methods, using DDT, motorized boats, dynamite and grain as bait to enhance their fish catch. Instead and grain as bait to enhance their fish catch. Instead they further polluted the waters of Manchhar and they further polluted the waters of Manchhar and worsened their chances of sustained livelihood.worsened their chances of sustained livelihood.

Social impacts of environmental Social impacts of environmental degradationdegradation

With increased poverty the fishing communities in With increased poverty the fishing communities in particular and non-fishing communities in general particular and non-fishing communities in general opted to migrate to other places like wetlands and opted to migrate to other places like wetlands and urban areas to seek source of livelihood.urban areas to seek source of livelihood.

The study revealed that majority of people left The study revealed that majority of people left behind were forced into peddling/begging for food, behind were forced into peddling/begging for food, while others turned to drugs to forget about their while others turned to drugs to forget about their problems problems

Those who migrated were trapped in bonded labor by Those who migrated were trapped in bonded labor by the contractors / money lenders. Some of them who the contractors / money lenders. Some of them who did return following the recent floods said that they did return following the recent floods said that they suffered greatly after migrating from the Lake. suffered greatly after migrating from the Lake.

Social Impacts Social Impacts cont’d... cont’d...

Due to the persistent flow of polluted waters Due to the persistent flow of polluted waters into Manchhar Lake, compounded by prolonged into Manchhar Lake, compounded by prolonged drought, improper/unsustainable fishing drought, improper/unsustainable fishing techniques, the fish population of the lake has techniques, the fish population of the lake has slowly but surely declined to levels that could slowly but surely declined to levels that could not support the livelihoods of the Mohanas – not support the livelihoods of the Mohanas – boat people of Manchhar.boat people of Manchhar.

As a result, reportedly 40,000 people of As a result, reportedly 40,000 people of Manchhar migrated to different areas Manchhar migrated to different areas throughout Pakistan and even abroad (Iran & throughout Pakistan and even abroad (Iran & Afghanistan) in search for a better life!!Afghanistan) in search for a better life!!

Social Impacts Social Impacts cont’d... cont’d...

As a consequence of this the social & human impact has As a consequence of this the social & human impact has magnified many fold:magnified many fold:

Diminished fish catch, aquatic plant harvest, Diminished fish catch, aquatic plant harvest,

Poor / contaminated water source / qualityPoor / contaminated water source / quality

Ill health – particularly amongst the children & Ill health – particularly amongst the children &

women women

Poor / no health facilities to cater for the growing Poor / no health facilities to cater for the growing

need for quality care and medicinesneed for quality care and medicines

Driven the Mohanas further into poverty leading to Driven the Mohanas further into poverty leading to

forced migrationforced migration

Social Impacts Social Impacts cont’d... cont’d...

Gender disparity in terms of healthcare:Gender disparity in terms of healthcare:

On average women at Manchhar work 12 –18 hours On average women at Manchhar work 12 –18 hours everydayeveryday

Yet few/none have access to mother-child healthcare Yet few/none have access to mother-child healthcare facilities – simply because none, or the one’s that exist facilities – simply because none, or the one’s that exist are ill-equipped or too far awayare ill-equipped or too far away

No lady doctors; No post-natal care; No LHVs/LHWsNo lady doctors; No post-natal care; No LHVs/LHWs

Social barriers prevent women from visiting male Social barriers prevent women from visiting male doctorsdoctors

Acute poverty has effected the nutritional status of Acute poverty has effected the nutritional status of women and children in particular – most malnourished women and children in particular – most malnourished and susceptible to preventable diseases, diarrhea, skin and susceptible to preventable diseases, diarrhea, skin infection, TB, RTI, etc. infection, TB, RTI, etc.

Social Impacts Social Impacts cont’d... cont’d...

Due to the prolonged drought over the past 6-7 years Due to the prolonged drought over the past 6-7 years there has been a paucity of fresh water inflow to there has been a paucity of fresh water inflow to Manchhar.Manchhar.

Arguably, the recent floods have somewhat relieved the Arguably, the recent floods have somewhat relieved the situation in terms of water quality & levels at Manchhar, situation in terms of water quality & levels at Manchhar, but at a human cost lives. but at a human cost lives.

Simultaneously, these flood waters have brought Simultaneously, these flood waters have brought some hope to these desperate people, but are some hope to these desperate people, but are wee to rely on natural calamities to solve our wee to rely on natural calamities to solve our ecological and socio-economic problems?ecological and socio-economic problems?

The government has finally admitted that MNVD/RBOD The government has finally admitted that MNVD/RBOD has been dumping saline/agriculture wastewaters into has been dumping saline/agriculture wastewaters into Manchhar and have come up with a plan “RBOD-II” to Manchhar and have come up with a plan “RBOD-II” to divert the contaminated waters of the RBOD, before it divert the contaminated waters of the RBOD, before it reaches Manchhar and dump this water into the sea reaches Manchhar and dump this water into the sea through a new drainage system.through a new drainage system.

RBOD - IIRBOD - II

This is a 6-year project and has latent flaws – the most This is a 6-year project and has latent flaws – the most glaring of which being that for a 3 km stretch the RBOD-glaring of which being that for a 3 km stretch the RBOD-II will share its banks with the Indus – increasing the II will share its banks with the Indus – increasing the chances of the contaminated waters to flow into the chances of the contaminated waters to flow into the Indus.Indus.

Over the next 6 years what is become of Manchhar Lake Over the next 6 years what is become of Manchhar Lake while the RBOD-II is being constructed?while the RBOD-II is being constructed?

Polluted waters will continue to enter the lakePolluted waters will continue to enter the lake

Fish stock will not be replenishedFish stock will not be replenished

Aquatic plants will perish, except for algae,which will Aquatic plants will perish, except for algae,which will grow at an accelerated rate since there will be no fish to grow at an accelerated rate since there will be no fish to feed upon them – resulting in eutrophication – feed upon them – resulting in eutrophication – suffocating all remaining life-forms.suffocating all remaining life-forms.

Study carried out at Study carried out at ManchharManchhar

Qualitative study designed, based two sets of Qualitative study designed, based two sets of questionnaires and interviews of selected individuals of questionnaires and interviews of selected individuals of the Manchhar, to ascertain:the Manchhar, to ascertain:

* If the devolution plan has had any effect in * If the devolution plan has had any effect in solving/ addressing the problems of communitysolving/ addressing the problems of community

* Advocating improved management of the * Advocating improved management of the natural resources at grass root levelsnatural resources at grass root levels

* To determine if the people can identify the * To determine if the people can identify the source of the environmental degradation of the source of the environmental degradation of the lakelake

* What remedies they propose to alleviate their * What remedies they propose to alleviate their problems and who local representatives can do to problems and who local representatives can do to help!?help!?

Findings from interviewsFindings from interviews

- majority, with the exception of RBOD officials, - majority, with the exception of RBOD officials, identified the MNVD/RBOD as the main cause of identified the MNVD/RBOD as the main cause of degradation of the lake.degradation of the lake.

- few saw it as a natural phenomenon following the - few saw it as a natural phenomenon following the long droughtlong drought

- of the farmers interviews, the majority blamed the - of the farmers interviews, the majority blamed the Mohanas – fisher folk and their callus of imprudent Mohanas – fisher folk and their callus of imprudent fishing methods for the environmental degradation fishing methods for the environmental degradation of the lakeof the lake

- other proposed strict regulation of fishing - other proposed strict regulation of fishing practices to prevent the Mohanas from using cereal practices to prevent the Mohanas from using cereal grains as bait, DDT and other toxic chemicals and grains as bait, DDT and other toxic chemicals and motorized boatsmotorized boats

Findings from interviewsFindings from interviews-the Mohanas agreed that the living conditions of the Mohanas agreed that the living conditions of those who migrated from the lake worsened once those who migrated from the lake worsened once they left the lake, some did return after the recent they left the lake, some did return after the recent floods to tell their frightful stories. floods to tell their frightful stories.

-However, other who left because of defaulting on However, other who left because of defaulting on their payment to the contractors did not return their payment to the contractors did not return fearing repercussions and further hardships.fearing repercussions and further hardships.

- many of the fisher folk expressed their many of the fisher folk expressed their disappointment with civil society groups disappointment with civil society groups (NGOs/CBOs) working in the area, claiming that (NGOs/CBOs) working in the area, claiming that they have failed to provide them with help, they have failed to provide them with help, guidance during their hour of greatest needguidance during their hour of greatest need-

Findings from interviewsFindings from interviews-few did identify one organization Basic Minimum few did identify one organization Basic Minimum Development Needs Program (BMDN), which Development Needs Program (BMDN), which through WHO funding had helped the Mohanas by through WHO funding had helped the Mohanas by introducing micro-credit schemes to assist the introducing micro-credit schemes to assist the purchase of nets, boats etc.purchase of nets, boats etc.

Solutions derived from the Solutions derived from the

interviewsinterviews

-eequally important for the survival of the qually important for the survival of the community are schools and hospitals, which the community are schools and hospitals, which the fisherman stated they needed to combat the fisherman stated they needed to combat the numerous water-borne diseases and other numerous water-borne diseases and other related ailments, and the need for the children related ailments, and the need for the children to get quality education. to get quality education.

-The fishermen recalled that in the 70s and 80s The fishermen recalled that in the 70s and 80s Manchhar was littered with boat schools and Manchhar was littered with boat schools and boat clinics. They said that through micro-credit boat clinics. They said that through micro-credit financing or projects driven by NGOs/CBOs financing or projects driven by NGOs/CBOs working in these areas, the boat clinics and working in these areas, the boat clinics and schools could be re-introducedschools could be re-introduced..

OIL & GAS EXPLORATION AT OIL & GAS EXPLORATION AT MANCHHARMANCHHAR

Regarding the possibility of oil and gas exploration by Regarding the possibility of oil and gas exploration by multinational companies, at Manchhar, a majority of those multinational companies, at Manchhar, a majority of those interviewed were aware of such plans. interviewed were aware of such plans.

However, some, saw no harm in the exploration, or operation, However, some, saw no harm in the exploration, or operation, within the lake as they identified this as opportunity for within the lake as they identified this as opportunity for employment and betterment. employment and betterment.

Many did disagree with such plans and said that it would harm the Many did disagree with such plans and said that it would harm the water quality. water quality.

Nonetheless, nearly all the people interviewed were skeptical, Nonetheless, nearly all the people interviewed were skeptical, based on previous records, whether multinational oil and gas based on previous records, whether multinational oil and gas companies would truly help the local communities in terms of companies would truly help the local communities in terms of employment opportunities or financial remuneration for the use of employment opportunities or financial remuneration for the use of their land/waters, citing the examples of the two big gas fields, their land/waters, citing the examples of the two big gas fields, Bhit and Badho operated by LASMO/ENI are only few kilometers Bhit and Badho operated by LASMO/ENI are only few kilometers away from the Lake. away from the Lake.

To a question of how they would react if the company goes ahead To a question of how they would react if the company goes ahead with its exploration and operation within the lake body, some with its exploration and operation within the lake body, some claimed that they would protest and take up the issue at the claimed that they would protest and take up the issue at the national level, if necessary while others were uncertain about their national level, if necessary while others were uncertain about their action plan. action plan.

Thank-youThank-you