SINDH OPPOSES KALA BAG DAM
This is the very serious and burning issue of our times. Sindh is justified to oppose the construction of Kalabag Dam on the following grounds:
1. There is no much water left in Indus.
2. The “Katcho” will die.
Indus inundated area on both side of the river at an average 5 miles (8km)wide, total about 1/9 million areas, very rich in fertile due to aeons of nutritional silt deposition. Apart from this a thick riverine forest has grown on 598,880 acres (240,000 he ctraces) of Katcho. It depends entirely upon the inundation of Indus. Whernever the quantity of water flowing down the river is nor sufficient sub merge the ‘Katcho’ everything is affected and even wells for drinking water run low. If KBD is constructed/built, than:
· Loss of surface moisture – soil degradation, solinty, winal erosen – turning the land into desert.
· Soil erosen – decline of succession of plants – within 50 years forest will be invisible.
· More than one hundred thousand dependent people will face economic & social ruin.
· Shortage of honey,gum,timber,animals,meat,dairy,poultry & live stock.
3. Mangrove forests will be affected:
Most productive, protecting and nurturing thousand of botanical, aquatic & wildlife species,
Principle components of delta ecosystem, provide ideal nursery grounds for many commercial fish species. Support wild life species: Jackals, reptiles, dolphin, protect sindh coast as forest break the force of waves: hence 200 miles long coast protected, otherwise situation of Bangladesh to be witnessed.
They have tendency to filter, sand from the sea water and are protecting existing ports otherwise sand might have choked the ports.
4. Pollution of the water Resources:
Irrigation returns carrying surface salts & pesticides. Pakistan was about 25,000 of organic, phosphorus and organo-chloride pesticides, there are non biodegradable resulting adding of harmful poisons in Indus water.
· Human & industrial effluent from 40 cities and hundreds of villages situated on the river bank add to the pollution.
· Decreasing flow in Indus to warm and draw weather of lower Indus plain further add to the pollution.
· Natural lakes will disappear.
· The changing course of Indus has left thousand of small & large depressions that become natural lakes when fill with water. Sindh is therefore hom to some Asia’s largest lakes like Manchar, Kenjhar, Haleji & Hadero (Thutta) & Chotiari (In Sanghar). Most of them inundation lake. Loss of irrigating land, fish, birds, recreation – social economic loss.
· Salt water Intrusion:
· The flow of water in Indus effectively checks salt water intrusion from the Arabian Ocean into lower flood plains of Indus. If Indus River is chained at Kalabag, the unchecked sea water will start flowing up into Indus and its estuaries.
· The exorbitant cost:
When the economy of the country is reeling under external and internal debt of more than Rs 02 trillion, when each Pakistani is under debt, when the balance of payment is more than $ 3 billion in the red annually, then why to launch is mighty and costly project.
The GUL HAYAT INSTITUTE has prepared chronology of the events and activities to give some ideas about the Sind reaction on the issue. This chronology, though not comprehensive and 100% complete, as the sufficient to give clear picture of the story.
|
No. |
Date |
Activity |
Organized by |
Remarks |
|
1 |
3/5/1985 |
Article under the title: “Water problem & Punjabi think-tank”. |
Published in the Daily Newspaper “Aftab”, Hyderabad |
It was reaction on the statement of Hanif Ramy’s statement that “Indus River” be renamed as “Pakistan River” |
|
2 |
18-5-1985 |
Distribution of Indus River water must fulfill demands of smaller provinces. |
Syed Muhammad Shah, member Sindh Assembly |
Statement issued to the Press |
|
3 |
18-5-1985 |
Mangla Dam must feed 15,000 cusec water per day to Indus River so as to solve the problem of acute shortage of water that is now also affecting Karachi. |
Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Speaker Sindh Assembly |
Statement issued to the Press |
|
4 |
19-5-1985 |
Distribution of water with special reference to Punjab is being observed by our experts. We are just for our due rights. |
Syed Pir Sabghatullah Shah Rashidi, Provincial Minister for Irrigation. |
Statement issued to the Press |
|
5 |
20-5-1985 |
The distribution of water must be ensured as per the Water Agreement & reservations of smaller provinces be kept in mind. |
Jamait Islami, Sindh Majlis Shoora |
Resolutions passed in meetings. |
|
6 |
20-5-1985 |
Sindh Government disagrees with Punjab Government’s Proposal on distribution of water & demands “Rao Commission” formula must be adopted & implemented. |
Sindh Government |
As per News Item appeared in the Press. |
|
7 |
21-5-1985 |
Sindh be provided share of water as per “Fazal Akbar Formula”. |
Sikandar Hayat Khan Khuhawar, General Secretary, Sindh Abadgar Board, Shahdad kot. |
Press statement |
|
8 |
21-5-1985 |
Dams on the style of Mangla & Tarbela should be constructed in Sindh to solve the water problem. |
Hamzo Palijo, Senator from Sindh |
Press Statement |
|
Press Statement |
||||
|
9 |
22-5-1985 |
Keeping in view the acute shortage of Irrigation water, the effected areas of Sindh be declared calamity-hit areas. |
Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Speaker Sindh Assembly |
|
|
10 |
22-5-1985 |
We are getting lower share from the Indus Water & are ready to initiate dialog with Punjabi Politicians & intelligentsia |
Syed Pir Sabghatullah Shah Rashidi, Provincial Minister for Irrigation. |
Press Statement |
|
11 |
22-5-1985 |
Great loss to crops in Sindh predicted. |
Survey reports on the shortage of irrigation water, published in various Sindhi newspapers. |
News Items |
|
12 |
22-5-1985 |
Sindh must be given due share if Indus Water to avoid agricultural disasters. |
Pir Ali Bahadur Shah, President PPP Dist. Badin |
Press Conference |
|
13 |
24-5-1985 |
The Water Of Mangla Dam Reservoir For Affected Irrigation Land In Sindh, not possible. |
Rao Abdul Razaq, Irrigation Minister, Govt: of Punjab |
Press Statement |
|
14 |
25-5-1985 |
Distribution of Indus water on Adhoc basis, has created uncertainly in the economy. |
Pakistan Planning Commission |
Press Report |
|
15 |
25-5-1985 |
Sindh disapproves Government’s stand on Indus River water issue. |
Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani, President, sindh PPP |
Statement issued in Jacobabad |
|
16 |
28-5-1985 |
Sindh be provided required quantity of water to avoid certain drought. |
Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Ex-Vice Chancellor Sindh University |
Press Statement |
|
17 |
28-5-1985 |
Sindh be provided irrigation water according to Sindh Tas agreement |
Jeay Sindh Student’s Federation, Sanghar. |
Press Statement |
|
18 |
29-5-1985 |
Peoples’ Party, Khairpur demands due share of irrigation water. |
PPP Office bearer, Distt. Khairpur. |
Press Statement |
|
19 |
29-5-1985 |
The situation of irrigation water supply to Sindh Agricultural Land not satisfactory. |
Mukhtyarkar Aqil |
In the column “Sindh ki Diary” published in the Daily “Jang”, Karachi |
|
20 |
31-5-1985 |
Tribunal be appointed/constituted to look into the water issue in the country. |
Mir Zafarullaha Khan Jamali, Federal Minister for Water & Power. |
Proposal Through Statement |
|
21 |
31053 |
Due share of irrigation water be provided to Sindh |
Jeay Sindh Student’s Federation, Jamshoro & sindh Porhiyat Tanzeem, Village Mahood. |
Press Statement |
|
22 |
31053 |
Drought-hit Sindh demands its due share of irrigation water. |
Daily, Hilal-i-Pakistan Karachi |
Editorial |
|
23 |
31053 |
Demand of declaration of Sindh as a drought-hit province. |
Daily Hilal-i-Pakistan |
Editorial |
|
23 |
31084 |
National Assembly Members from Sindh meet in the Sindh House, Islamabad. Abdul Hameed Jatoi presided. Water issue was discussed in details. Later on meet with the press and demands 20,000 cusec water. |
Sindhi MNAs |
Meet the Press |
|
24 |
15-6-1985 |
Sindh is creating undue problem on the water distribution issue, and becoming high risk. |
Malik Ghulam Hyder, M.P.A Punjab Assembly |
Participating/speaking |
|
25 |
31204 |
Larkanians Demand For Distribution Of Indus Water On 1945 Water Pact formula. |
Abadgars, Social workers, intellectuals and political workers. |
Joint procession |
|
26 |
31204 |
Punjab Assembly Reolution demanding the opening of Chashma Jhehlum link canal criticized. |
Daily “Aftab”, Hyderabad |
Editorial under title: “Pani Mathay Jhoopra, Moorikh unh Mehran” |
|
27 |
31265 |
Opening of Chashma Jhelum link canal by Punjab the act of open dacoity. |
Ghulam Muhammad Soomro |
1st installment of the Article published in Daily AFTAB, Hyderabad |
|
28 |
22-11-1985 |
Constrauction of KB, no less than ruining of Sindh. |
Sindh Hari Committee, Branch Lalo Wari (Ghotki) |
Resolution passed in the special meeting |
|
29 |
31445 |
People to be vacated during the construction of the K.B, will be offered settlement in Sindh. Land to be provided in Pano Aqil Taluka-Move condemned. |
Islami Jamiat Tulba, Sukkur. |
Statement issued. |
|
30 |
31447 |
Chamber of commerece of Lahore, assured to full support of U.S.A |
U.S.A Councel General |
Assurance to the deputation of C.C Lahore. |
|
31 |
31598 |
WAPDA submitted revised design of K.B to the Governemnt and insists on the same location for the construction of the Dam. |
WAPDA |
Press News |
|
32 |
31598 |
Construction of K.B, high risk for the Sindh economy & environment, evemn for intergrity of the country. |
The Daily Ibrat, Hyderabad |
Editorial |
|
33 |
31598 |
Manshar lake be designed and converted into Dam. |
Sindh Taraqi Pasand Malah Tanzeem |
Press statement |
|
34 |
31629 |
Statement of Punjab ministers on the Indus water issue developed. |
The “Daily Aftab”, Hyderabad |
Editorial |
|
35 |
15-5-1986 |
The Governemnt resolved to construct K.B. |
Ministry of Water & Power Govt: of Pakistan |
Press News |
|
36 |
31724 |
To support the construction of K.B is to show enmity with Sindh. |
NGOs Co-ordination Committee, Thatta |
Press statement |
|
37 |
24-5-1987 |
The construction of the K.D opposed on varios grounds. |
Sindh Assemenly Committee |
Report submitted to the Chief Minister of Sindh |
|
38 |
14-6-1987 |
People & Land of Punjab will be more affected than NWFP. No substitute for KBD. |
Kazi Abdul Majeed Abid Federal Minister for information, Power & Water |
statement |
|
39 |
17-6-1987 |
Sindh is being victimized inconnection with getting itys due share from Indus water and is supposed to be ruined by K.B.D construction. |
Abdul Fatah Malik, MRD leader & eminent poet of Sukkur. |
Press statement |
|
40 |
20-6-1987 |
Chief Minister Sindh’s firm stands on the construction of KBD. |
The Daily “Ibrat” Hyderabad |
Editorial on Sindh Governemnt’s stand on the issue. |
|
41 |
23-12-1987 |
Kala Bagh Dam construction is the clear move of conspiracy against Sindh. |
Rasool Bux Palijo, Secretary Genaral Awami National Party. |
Responding to the question of the journalist at Rawalpindi Airport. |
|
42 |
24-12-1987 |
The report of the special committee constituted by Sindh Governemnt on KBD is the realistic and rational reflection of Sindh on KBD. |
Various Sindh Newspapers |
Editorial |
|
43 |
32264 |
KBD unacceptable. Its construction will be opposed Iron hands. |
Sindh girls students of various educational institutions. |
Procession & press conference at Hyderabad |
|
44 |
32295 |
KBD be constructed as soon as possible. It is in the greater interests of the economy of the country. |
Rais Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Founder National Peoples’ Party |
Statement in Multan |
|
45 |
22-1-1988 |
Provisional Governemnt be being taken into confideince in favor of the construction of KBD. |
Kazi Abdul Majeed, Federal Minister of Water & Power. |
Statement in Senate Section |
|
46 |
30-1-1988 |
General consensus must for the construction of KBD. |
The Daily “DAWN” Karachi |
Advised the Government in its Editorial. |
|
47 |
14-2-1988 |
Kala Bagh Dam unwanted. Project be withdrawn |
Pakistan Peoples’ Party |
Resolution |
|
46 |
19-2-1988 |
KBD will be high-risk for the integrity of the country. |
Sindh Committee of “Sindh Baloch Pashtoon Front”. Meeting presided over by Usif Talpur |
resolution |
|
47 |
24-2-1988 |
Inspite of outright rejection by Sindh, intentions of the Government to construct KBD is deplorable. |
Hussain Bux Narejo, Secretary Sindhi Peoples’ National Alliance. |
Press statement |
|
48 |
32205 |
KBD construction on the cost of the integrity of the country. The Government will be given tough time. |
Central leader of the sindh peoples’ students federation. |
Press statement held in Hyderabad. |
|
49 |
32236 |
Sindh outright rejects the KBD Scheme |
Rasool Bux Palijo, Abdul Hafiz Pirzado, Shah Muhammad Shah, Aftab Shah Jilani, Imdad Chandio, Masood Noorani, Hussain Bux Narejo, Ghulam Muhammad Soomro, Muhammad Hussain Panhwar, (Known as Mitt Panhwar), Mola Bux Chandio & Sattar Rajpar. |
Speeches delivered in the “Anti KBD Conference” |
|
50 |
32266 |
KBD construction will be opposed with Iron hands. KBD not acceptable to Sindh. |
Central Committee of the Sindh Hari Committee. The meeting presided over by Ghulam Rasool Sahito. |
Resolution |
|
51 |
15-3-1988 |
All the districts councils of Sindh have rejected the KBD scheme and its construction Deputation consisting of chairman of various District Councils to apprise the Prime Minister of the situation. |
Makhdoom Rafiq-u-Zaman, ChairmanDistrict Council, Hyderabad |
Press statement |
|
52 |
15-3-1988 |
Long march from Kiamari to Kalabagh, if construction of KBD announced by the Government. |
Mumtaz Ali Bhutto |
Press statement |
|
53 |
21-3-1988 |
KBD schemen against the interests of the country & will of Sindh. |
Jam Saqi & Hussain Bux Narejo |
Press statement |
|
54 |
24-3-1988 |
Disintegration of Pakistan is the sole motive behind KBD scheme. Sindh is the maker of Pakistan and will safeguard the interests of country. |
Rasool Bux Palijo, Shah Muhammad Shah, Hussain Bux Narejo. |
Speeches deliverd in the procession held by “Sindhi Quomi Itihad” in Sukkur. |
|
55 |
24-3-1988 |
KBD-an unwanted sheme |
Procession held at Karachi by Karachi Branch of Sindh Quomi Itihad |
Speeches deliverd |
|
56 |
25-3-1988 |
Hyderabad witnesses Anti-KBD Hunger-Strike |
Pakhtoon Shagird Tanzeem |
Anti KBD Hunger Strike |
|
57 |
28-3-1988 |
Sindh rejects KBD |
Sindh Hari Committee |
Procession in Hyderabad |
|
58 |
32206 |
KBD not to be constructed |
J.U.I Sukkur |
resolution |
|
59 |
32390 |
KBD not acceptable |
Sindh Peoples’ Committees working committees |
resolution |
|
60 |
32390 |
The KBD scheme aims to teach Sindh lesson for its contribution in making of Pakistan. |
Sindhi Quami Itihad |
Procession & Press Conference in Karachi |
|
61 |
13-04-1988 |
KBD not technical but political issue. Let it be constructed in the greater interests of the country. |
Zahid Anwar |
Article in daily “JANG” |
|
62 |
14-04-1988 |
Sindh opposes KBD |
Procession by sindh Quomi Ithad and other parties |
Speeches delivered |
|
63 |
18-04-1988 |
KBD scheme is aim at ruin SIndh |
Syed Ali Meer Shah, chairman sindh Abadgar Board |
Statement in Larkana |
|
64 |
28-04-1988 |
Consent of all provinces must before construction of KBD |
Raja ZAfar-ul-Haq federal minister |
Statement in Sukkur |
|
65 |
32268 |
KBD scheme is demaging national unity, it must be buried. |
Piyar Ali Allama, PPP leaders, Ex- Sindh ministers & Senators |
Statement in Karachi |
|
66 |
23-05-1988 |
KBD must not be made talk of the street. It will not be constructed until and unless four provinces do not agree. |
Kazi Abdul Majeed “Abid” Federal Minister for Information |
Statement at Tando M Khan. |
|
67 |
21-05-1988 |
KBD scheme is an agenda of ruining sindh |
Sardar Jam Feroz Unnar |
Statement issued in Nawabshah |
|
68 |
16-08-1988 |
KBD for the bright future of the country. Stand of Sindh & NWFP unreasonable |
Chairman WAPDA |
Lahore |
|
17-12-1988 |
KBD will pave way for creation of more differences amongst provinces and will make sindh crippled economically. |
Sindh Assembly |
Debate on the issue |
|
|
69 |
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|
70 |
19-12-1988 |
Sindh Assembly’s stand on KBD issue praised. |
The Daily “Hilal-i-Pakistan” |
Editorial |
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