Cutting the branch you are sitting on

Syed Tahir
As the Renaissance thinker, Leonardo da Vinci intimated, ”Water is the driving force of all nature,” these words ring true in Sindh where River Indus flows and nourishes the region’s ecosystems. It is safe to say that farming is not merely a business in Sindh. It is life for multitudes, ethnic customs, and an important sector for Pakistan’s national security. Often termed as “The land of milk and honey and the breadbasket of Pakistan” this province, with its bountiful harvest of wheat, rice, and cotton, sustains the economy of the nation and in turn, increases the GDP. With the development of new canals on River Indus, came the fierce controversies that demanded attention, wondering whether the attempts on water distribution control and the economy of Sindh’s agriculture would remain unscathed or if the lives of millions would be all but rendered useless. As the wise proverb goes, “Don’t cut the branch you’re sitting on,” and in this circumstance, the branch is none other than River Indus that nourishes the economy and ecology of Sindh. The agriculture industry is a significant source of revenue for Sindh, accounting for 23% of the country’s wheat, 31% of Pakistan’s rice, and 34% of its cotton produce. The sector provides direct employment for more than 60% of the rural populace and sustains millions of families. Besides farming, Sindh’s agricultural production also supports textile industries, which contribute to 60% of the exports of Pakistan, thus making it greatly influential to the economy of the country. Known as the ‘lifeline of Sindh,’ Indus River helps irrigate over 3.5 million hectares of farmland by providing 90% of the province’s irrigation water. In the absence of water, Sindh would not be able to showcase its agricultural wonders. New plans to build canals along the Indus River have caused concern for farmers, environmentalists, and economists. Proponents claim these canals could supply water to dry areas and stimulate development. Critics fear that these canals would be constructed at the expense of Sindh, where farms would be left parched. Constructing canals could lead to a further decrease in the flow of the Indus, creating water deficits for Sindh. The Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan only adds to this problem due to the reduced water supply from both countries. Further reduction could lead to an even greater problem of scarcity, which is painfully evident in Balochistan where water management has created droughts and severe agricultural loss. Sindh might face reductions in food security as well asan output loss of 15-20% in agriculture if there is a reduction in water flow by 10%. This reductionover 70 percent of Sindh depends on agriculture as a source of income. Auszahlung German translates to a water shortage these rural economies could go to the regions to poverty and a lot of them may migrate elsewhere Sindh might face reductions in food security as well asan output loss of 15-20% in agriculture if there is a reduction in water flow by 10%. This reduction over 70 percent of Sindh depends on agriculture as a source of income. Auszahlung German translates to a water shortage these rural economies could go to the regions to poverty and a lot of them may migrate elsewhere. In the Thar incrementally water scarcity has caused food insecurity and forced migration and in the Sindh region. New canals have the potential to replicate this crisis on an even larger scale as a result this could lead to a 5 to 7% decrease in GDP within Sindh. Additionally, a shortage of water in soil can cause salinity and turn farmers into barren deserts which makes for a unfertile land. Farming is already difficult in Central Asia, where the sea used to exist is/could be an even lower farmland productivity if not managed properly. Over 40 percent of land in Sindh is at risk of desertification and other regions facing the same issue can be known as thick skinned. Reduced fresh water flow may impact fishing activities and biodiversity in the Indus Delta, which is a highly essential ecosystem. Water diversion has already severely impacted communities and ecosystems in the Mekong Delta of Southeast Asia, which in turn, undermined the water level in the region. The Indus Delta is a primary source of fisheries in Pakistan, and having these ecosystems contribute $1.2 billion dollars to the economy. Coastal communities are already struggling, and water diversion will only worsen this situation. Advocates for new canals contend that they could help redistribute water to drier areas, increasing agricultural output in poorer regions. GOOD WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: The Sukkur Barrage has turned barren lands into green fields in the past. The proposed new canals would also boost local economies and employment in water-poor areas. The Indus Basin Irrigation System has been a “building block” in the success of agriculture in Pakistan, and new canals would replicate the same success in other regions. If they were appropriately designed, the canals could carry floodwaters during monsoon seasons and limit damage to crops and infrastructure. On the Tarbela Dam, whose name has become synonymous with flood control and storage and which has become a showcase of infrastructure projects. But as the saying goes, “Too much of a good thing can be bad,” and building new canals should be done in moderation. As examples around the world, like the Colorado River Basin in the U.S., have shown us, sustainable water management is essential. Of equal importance, Pakistan needs to give priority to equitable distribution of water, preservation of the environment and community engagement- this way, development projects will not come at the expense of forging Sindh’s future. To sum it up, Sindh’s agriculture is one of the pillars of Pakistan’s economy and River Indus works as its lifeline. Any initiatives on the Indus must strike a delicate balance between development needs and sustainability considerations, otherwise these could pose a risk to the livelihoods of millions, undermining long term economic considerations. CONTINUE They say a stitch in time saves nine, and we need to take care of these issues before they turn into a crisis down the line.