Frist day of the Long Macrh

Long March by PFF

As you know, The International Day of Action against Dams and for Rivers, Water, and Life was inspired and mandated by the participants of the 1997. Water for life, not for death; these words resounded at first International Meeting of People Affected by Dams in Curitiba, Brazil. Every year on March 14, people around the world celebrate victories such as dam removal and river restoration, teach others about issues threatening rivers and communities, and demand improvements in policies and practices of decision-makers. The goals for the Day of Action include: building and strengthening networks within the international movement working to protect and restore rivers, and defending the rights of communities that depend on healthy watersheds, protesting destructive dam projects and the development model they advance, and promoting alternative ways of meeting people’s needs for water and energy. IRN has declared to celebrate this year throughout the world with the theme of “Reclaim our Rivers, Our Rights”.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, in the continuation of this tradition, has organized a historical Long March from 2nd March to 14th March starting from Ketti Bander to Almanzar Jamshoro for the restoration of Indus River and Rehabilitation of Indus Delta. The Long March will end and turn into a Grand Gathering on 14th March at Almanzar Jamshoro in the bed of River Indus. This mega event is expected to be attended by more than 25,000 people belonging to different walks of life from both the genders.

First Day of the Long March (2nd March, 2010):

As per schedule of the Long March, the members and the personnel of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum belonging to different districts of Sindh gathered at Kharo Chhan at about 12 P.M. Kharo Chhan is a place along the coastal line of Thatta district where the Indus River falls into the Arabian Sea and forms the Indus Delta. It is noteworthy that various civil society organizations and political parties have already declared their moral support and participation in the Long March. Awami Tehrik, Sindh Taraqi Passand Party, Jiye Insan Tehrik and Delta Development Organization practically participated on the very first day of the march.

The emotions and enthusiasm of the members of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum were seemed to be doubled when their leader Syed Muhammad Ali Shah the Chairman of PFF, Senior Vice Chairperson of PFF Ms. Tahira Ali, General Secretary of PFF Mr. Saeed Baloch along with other senior officials of PFF joined them at the said venue. Initially a large number of people representing different school of thoughts participated in the Long March among which 40% were women. However, the majority of the participants were from PFF.

At the inauguration of the march, a formal gathering was organized which was addressed by a number of honourable speakers. Some of them were:

Mr. Gulab Shah (President PFF Thatta District), Mr. Ghulam Ali (STP), Mr. Bilawal Lashari (AT), Mr. Mithan Mallah (President PFF Badin District), Mr. Muhammad Mallah (President PFF Jamshoro District), Mr. Shafi Murghar (Indus Development), Mr. Majeed Motani (President PFF Karachi District), Mr. Amb Gopang (Expert in Latifiyat), Mr. Saeed Baloch (General Sectretary PFF), Ms. Tahira Ali Shah (Senior Vice Chairperson PFF) and Mr. Muhammad Ali Shah (Chairman PFF).

The speakers while expressing their views said that Indus River had been facing a severe shortage of water due to a dreadful conspiracy at the federal level that has resulted in creating a catastrophe throughout the Sindh province especially at the coastal areas and Indus Delta. The people of Sindh specifically to that of coastal areas are compelled to live a very miserable life totally at the mercy of merciless establishment. They strongly demanded the restoration of Indus River, Indus Delta and Rehabilitation of poor and disadvantaged population of coastal areas. Besides, PFF condemned any upcoming planning for the construction of more dams on the Indus River rather PFF demanded for a prompt Decommissioning of already existing Dams on Indus River.

The event was also attended by a number of senior officials of PFF including Mr. Hussain Jarwar, Mr. Mustafa Gurgaze, Ms. Mona Shah, Mr. Muzzafar Pahnwar, Mr. Nawaz Khatti, Mr. Ayoob Shan and Mr. Sami Memon. Besides, a large number of journalists representing both print and electronic media also participated in the event.

After the formal inauguration, the Long March arrived at Baghan covering the distance of about 25 kilometres. The inhabitants of Baghan along with the representatives of different political parties and social groups warmly welcomed the marchers and ensured their support for this noble cause. The caravan stayed night over there and will continue the Long March as per following schedule:

Date Venue Lunch Night Stay Distance
02-Mar From Kahro Chaan to Baghaan At Baghaan 25 KM
03-Mar From Baghaan to Buhaara Gharhoo Buhhaara 25 KM
04-Mar From Buhhara to Late Mirpur Sakroo Late 23 KM
05-Mar From Late to Sultanabad Gharoo Sultanabad 22 KM
06-Mar Sultanabad to Makli Gujoo Makli 22KM
07-Mar Makli to Saeedpur Thatta Saeedpur 22KM
08-Mar Saeedpur to Mahmood wah Daroo Moree Mahmood Wah 26 KM
09-Mar Mahmood wah to Shah Karim Jhook Shah Karim 27 Km
10-Mar Shah Karim to Pusya Goth Abadgar Sugar Mill Pusya village 24 KM
11-Mar Pusya village to Saree Tando Mohd Khan Saree 28 KM
12-Mar Saree to Fateh Chowk Noonari stop Fateh Chowk 20 KM
13-Mar fateh Chowk to Qasimabad Hyder Chwok Qasimabad 15 KM
14-Mar Qasimabad to Almanzar Jamshoro Grand Ceremony on the special occasion of International Rivers Day