The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) announced on Monday that it will start a campaign against the construction of Bhasha Dam on March 14, the International Day of Action for Rivers. The smaller provinces of the country, especially Sindh, have always severely opposed mega dams on Indus River. When the current government again announced the construction of the controversial Bhasha Dam, the decision panicked the fisherfolk community of Sindh.
March 14 is the International Day of Action for Rivers. Every year, hundreds around the world raise their voice to celebrate the world’s rivers. It is day to celebrate victories such as removal of dams and restoration of rivers.
“Not only the fisherfolk of Sindh alone, but we will also motivate those in Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to come forward to protest controversial mega projects including Bhasha Dam,” said PFF Chairperson Mohammed Ali Shah.
In a meeting represented by the marine and inland waters across the country, it was decided that fisherfolk would be motivated to be ready for a struggle.
The meeting chaired by Mohammed Ali Shah asked the participants to strengthen unity among the fisherfolk community, who are the direct beneficiaries of the Indus River.
“If the river will stream safely without disruption by dams, the people will live happily. Otherwise, disasters will affect people, especially those tail-end communities,” said Shah.
“We are going to show our strength on the occasion to express solidarity with the world community, oppose building of more dams and display the will to keep the Indus River streaming. We do not need dams but want to see the river flowing the whole year to save our remaining lands, crops, pastures and villages, which are under threat due to persistent sea intrusion,” he added.
Focusing on Sindh, they said government departments do not have updated information on the current status of water bodies, which have either deteriorated due to the disconnection of their feeding sources, the canals. Hundreds of families have shifted to other waters and the process of migration is going on.
Fisherfolk community activists from different areas pointed out that the displacement is not only happening in the coastal areas, but those living along inland waters also are facing troubles because their resources are depleted and their livelihoods affected.
On March 14, the PFF has planned a variety of activities – theatres, cultural programmes and rallies – to sensitise the community about their natural resources, which are the property of their future generations.
Saeed Baloch and Majeed Motani from Karachi, Gulab Shah from Thatta, Ishaq Meerani from Kashmore, Hussain Bakhsh Meerani from Kambar-Shahdadkot, Mithan Mallah from Badin, Khuda Bakhsh Baloch and Aslam Baloch from Gwadar in Balochistan and Ghulam Rasool and Rahimdad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated in the meeting.
The community will stage protest rallies against destructive river development projects, for raising awareness about the dangers of large dams, elevating the call for adopting truly sustainable ways of meeting community needs for water and energy and uniting growing voices for the life-giving river.
The Indus River is facing an acute water shortage for many years. A policy change at the state level is required to ensure its natural flow by removing manmade hindrances and rehabilitation of forests, so that the communities depending on these resources for their livelihood take a sigh of relief.
This can happen only through unity among various communities, especially fisherfolk and farmers, who pay more price of the state’s negligence in the shape of floods and droughts.
The movement will be extended to the entire country against the contract system on fresh water bodies to ensure the safety of life and livelihood of the poor fisherfolks living along them.
Saeed Baloch said the government should take the issue of fisherfolk seriously and ensure protection of their rights.
“Four million people are directly involved in the fishing sector in the country. If they are ignored, they will start a campaign for the protection of their rights,” he said.
Majeed Motani said it is not only the issue of Indus delta but all fisherfolk and farmers, who depend on the Indus River for fish and cultivating lands. “Sea intrusion is increasing, occupying more lands and residential settlements and pastures, leaving the indigenous people to live in a helpless situation,” he added.
The PFF activists pointed out that at least 300 water bodies are under the control of contractors despite official orders to replace the system by issuing licences to bona fide fisherfolk.
The PFF also announced that it would hold a national farmers conference on March 25in Hyderabad in which hundreds of fisherfolk and farmers will participate.
