Muhammad Lateef
The land of melodious Mai Bhagi is again facing the challenge of natural
catastrophe; the drought has started taking its toll equally affecting the lives
of human beings, animals and flora and fauna in the desert at a fast pace
resultantly Tharparkar is gradually dying its death. The dry spell which started
in 2103-14 has adversely affected the routine life in the great desert which is
mainly dependent on limited agriculture and livestock; both in return dependent
on Monsoon rains. When the nature is kind and there is a good rainfall in the
months of June and July, the Thar gets to its full blossom, the beauty of the
desert is breathtaking, there is a light of hope in the eyes and a charming
smile on human faces and they are dancing to the rhythm of music, children get
good enough diet thus reducing the mortality rate, the animals are healthy and
less prone to diseases, the peacocks are dancing, screaming and flying around,
the flocks of deers are happily jumping and running in the desert and one can
listen to the mesmerizing sound of “Jerse” in the serene full moon nights.
But when the Nature is not so happy with the residents of Thar, the life gets
tough gradually becoming unbearable and shadows of death start looming large
along the width and breadth of dry Tobas, Sand Dunes and barren Dhars whispering
in the ears of the habitants of this peaceful land either to migrate or face
slow death. The unfortunate dry spell is on again and its effects are now
visible across the whole desert. The malnourished children are dying in Mithi
hospital, the crops are drying up and dying, the farmers are fast losing their
animals with their remains spread all over; one can see number of peacocks lying
dead in the desert as there is nothing left to feed or drink for human beings,
animals and wild life. The drought has virtually affected over 350,000 families
in the region of Tharparker and Umerkot; the severity of which reminds
unfortunate sufferings and memories of the infamous famine in Ethiopia. The
residents are left with no choice but to leave their homes and migrate along
with whatever is left in their families and livestock leaving behind the wild
life to the mercy of Mother Nature.
This natural calamity is required to be dealt with professionally by the Sindh
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) as after the 18th Amendment in
the Constitution, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is only a
policy making and coordinating agency whereas PDMAs are responsible to respond
on ground to any disaster in their respective provinces. Mere declaring of Thar
as calamity-hit area by the Sindh cabinet and initiation of routine bureaucratic
instructions and actions would not suffice to handle the human and wild life
tragedy at this mega scale. In the short term response, there is an immediate
need of food, drinking water, medicine, additional doctors and fodder for the
cattle which should be delivered to the affected population on ground by a
responsible committee preferably by the PDMA in coordination with the local
representatives at Union Councils and Sub Union Councils level. The donations in
cash or kind should also be routed through the coordination committee so that
aid could reach to allaffectees equally in an organized manner. The media should
also dedicate some time to sensitize the whole nation about the sufferings of
our drought-stricken brothers, sisters and children and create awareness among
the masses about the enormity of the prevailing situation and emerging famine
crisis. Moreover, Reverse Osmosis plant like facilities installed in Islamkot
for converting underground brackish and inconsumable water to sweet and clean
water fit for human consumption need to be extended to entire Tharparkar area.
In the long term, the Federal Government in coordination with Sindh Government
should work on provision of clean drinking water facility by installing number
of solar powered osmosis plants to all 2,500 villages spread across Tharparkar
at top priority basis. Moreover, the Federal Government and IRSA should also
plan supply of sufficient Canal Water to Thar area to save the agriculture,
livestock and wild life from perishing due to the changing climatic conditions.
It would be better to invest on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and avert the
disaster rather than responding to post calamity rehabilitation effort, which is
definitely much costlier and nonproductive option. Tharparker is blessed with
the natural beauty and a diverse culture where interfaith harmony can be
experienced at its best. Muslims, Hindus and Jains are living side by side
peacefully for centuries respecting each other’s sensitivities and culture. The
distribution of food at Temples, Ashrams and Masjids is without any
discrimination to the caste, colour, creed or religion and it is a well-knit,
visitor’s friendly and hospitable society. If our Tourism Ministries at Federal
and Provincial levels plan, make or invite sensible investments to attract local
and foreign tourists, it can change the fate of this region and not only earn a
good living for the locals but can also fetch a good revenue at provincial and
Federal levels. There is a need to adopt a proactive policy by creating an
environment of resilience in the Tharparkar area and develop it into a Touristic
Site averting and converting the disaster into an opportunity. Where, there is a
will, there is a way.
(The writer is freelance from Chakwal)