News
‘Badin, Thatta to come under seawater by 2050’
* During last 35 years about two-kilometre area of Sindh and Balochistan has come under seawater
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Monday was informed that some areas of Malir, Karachi had come under sea water and by 2050 Badin and Thatta would also come under water. If the rising of sea continues at the current rate, the prediction is that Karachi will also be covered by sea water. The committee was informed that during last 35 years about two-kilometre area of the coasts of Sindh and Balochistan came under sea water. The committee was further informed that 200,000 acres of fertile land now were part of the sea and 31,000 acres of Badin were now under water. The committee held its meeting in the Parliament House with Senator Professor Sajid Mir in the chair. The committee discussed in detail intrusion of sea in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan. National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Director General Dr Asif Inam while briefing the committee said that UN Environment organisation in a report in 1989 included Pakistan in the list of those countries where sea water was on the rise. He said coastal areas of Badin and Thatta have badly been affected due to climate change. Monsoon floods and sea storm were mainly responsible for water rising in the sea, which affected the coastal areas. According to a report, the NIO DG said the sea water level was rising at the rate of 1.3 millimetres per annum which was affecting the coastal areas. The areas in Sindh surrounding the sea came under water. Due to the construction of dams and barrages used for irrigation purposes fresh water inflow to the sea was not being allowed, he maintained. The committee was also briefed in detail about the emergence of different islands in Makran coastal areas, where some appeared naturally and some were accidentally caused by climatic change and earthquake. Sindh University Professor Dr Sarfarz Hussain Solangi informed the committee that temperature rising along with climate change has had bad impact on the environment and the government will have to make proper preparation for it. According to a report, the Karachi temperature will rise by three degree centigrade and of Northern Areas by 5 degree centigrade which would further increase climate change. The sweet underground water is now converting into sour water, and it required a detail study to avoid such critical situation. Balochistan Coastal Development Authority informed the committee that Balochistan is also confronting the same problems and required proper attention on part of the federal government. Balochistan consists of 770 kilometres coastal areas and sweet underground water is also converting in to sour water. According to a WWF report, the committee was informed that about one kilometre area of Balochistan land came under sea water and the parliamentarians were requested to give recommendation to initiate a detailed study over coastal areas of Balochistan. Senator Karim Ahmad Khawaja said these being important matters should be raised at the forum of Council of Common Interest (CCI) and a comprehensive planning over these issues be made in coordination with concerned departments. A letter should also be sent to the prime minister so as to save Sindh and Balochistan from such problems, he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk