The Indus River Delta, once a thriving ecological and economic lifeline for millions, is now facing an alarming decline. Reports indicate that over 1.2 million people have been displaced as farmland turns barren and fishing grounds are destroyed due to reduced freshwater flow and seawater intrusion. This is not only an environmental tragedy but also a severe socio-economic disaster for communities that have lived in this region for generations.

The deterioration of the delta is the result of multiple factors, including climate change, rising temperatures, and unsustainable upstream water usage. Villages such as Abdullah Mirbahar, once self-sufficient, now stand nearly abandoned. Livelihoods dependent on agriculture and fishing have collapsed, forcing families to migrate in search of survival. While some restoration measures have been discussed, progress remains minimal, and the situation worsens with each passing season.

It is essential for the government to implement a comprehensive restoration plan prioritising equitable water distribution, ecosystem rehabilitation, and financial assistance for displaced families. Collaborative action between provincial and federal authorities, alongside civil society and international partners, is urgently required. 

Protecting the Indus Delta is not only about preserving a unique ecosystem—it is about safeguarding the future of the people whose lives are bound to it.

MUSFIRA NAJAM,

Lahore.