Save Sindh Agriculture Livelihood & Implement 1991 Water Accord
To: Government of Pakistan and Relevant Authorities
We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Pakistan to prioritize the implementation of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and to take immediate action to safeguard the agricultural livelihood of the people of Sindh. Agriculture is the backbone of Sindh’s economy, providing sustenance and income for millions of families.
Importance of Agriculture in Sindh:
Sindh is the highest tax-paying province in Pakistan and serves as the breadbasket for the country and the region. The fertile lands of Sindh are home to a diverse array of crops, supporting the livelihoods of farmers and their families. However, the ongoing water crisis threatens this vital sector.
Despite the 1991 Water Accord’s provisions for equitable water distribution, its implementation has been inadequate, leading to severe water shortages. According to the 1991 Water Accord, 10 million acre-feet (MAF) of water must be released downstream of the Kotri Barrage to maintain the Indus Delta ecosystem. However, this crucial requirement has often been neglected, exacerbating the ecological and agricultural crisis in Sindh.
Today, Punjab province is taking an undue share of water, and the telemetry system for monitoring water distribution is outdated and ineffective. This has resulted in Sindh being cheated out of its rightful water share. Additionally, the flood canals of Punjab, which were intended for irrigation purposes only during floods, are being used year-round, violating the spirit of the 1991 Water Accord and further disadvantaging Sindh.
The recent decision by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) to add canals in the province of Punjab, extending the jurisdiction of the Indus River, is unacceptable and unwanted. Such plans prioritize cultivating desert areas in Punjab at the expense of fertile lands in Sindh, where agriculture is already well-established. This decision not only threatens Sindh’s farmers but risks causing severe disruptions in the region’s law and order, leading to economic unrest and mass displacement. Further, such actions will destabilize an already strained water ecosystem, undermining the principles of equitable distribution outlined in the 1991 Water Accord.
Call to Action:
We urge the Government of Pakistan and relevant authorities to:
1. Ensure the full and immediate implementation of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.
2. Release the mandated 10 MAF of water downstream of the Kotri Barrage to maintain the Indus Delta ecosystem.
3. Address the issue of Punjab’s undue water share and update the telemetry system for accurate monitoring.
4. Stop the year-round use of flood canals in Punjab for irrigation, adhering to the principles of the 1991 Water Accord.
5. Reassess the CDWP’s decision regarding the expansion of canals in Punjab to protect Sindh’s water rights.
6. Develop policies that promote sustainable agricultural practices and effective water management.
7. Provide support and resources to farmers facing the consequences of water scarcity.
8. Stop planning additional canals or barrages over the Indus River in the future until a consensus is reached through a proper water resource study conducted by an independent body.
Impact of Inaction:
Failure to address these issues will lead to increased poverty, food insecurity, mass displacement, and the decline of Sindh’s agricultural sector, severely affecting law and order and causing economic unrest. We cannot allow the livelihoods of millions to be jeopardized any longer.
We call on everyone who values Sindh’s agricultural heritage and the well-being of its people to support this petition. Together, we can urge the government to take the necessary steps to protect our agriculture and ensure a sustainable future for Sindh.
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Agro Views Sindh - Pakistan ( Agriculturists of Sindh ) Contact the author of the petition