Good Governance for dealing with water crisis in the Indus Delta

In June 2006, PFF and Alternatives Canada took initiative to materialize theme of Good Governance for dealing with water crisis in the Indus Delta. Both organizations are worried over the slow death of the Indus delta- seventh largest delta of the world. They worry because delta is dying which is a huge natural asset and source of livelihoods of millions of fishers, peasants as well as sanctuary of birds and animals.

Slow death of the delta and water crisis in the country are associated with the Pakistan’s water management policies and programmes. Therefore, PFF in collaboration with Alternatives Canada set off a project to encourage and facilitate good local governance around the issue of development of an integrated water management strategy for the Indus delta and the region.

The project is a part of PFF’s campaign for increasing freshwater flows to the delta and for developing an equitable water policy. This all greatly depends on alliances built between civil society organizations, local, provincial and national government representatives. Secondly, a forceful push from the affected communities on the government, particularly fishing communities, is required. For this, there is dire need to mobilize and organize the fishing communities, and then there comes their capacity building. Severely affected by the environmental problems facing the region, these communities have a weak lobby to advocate. Given their traditional role and responsibilities, women are among the most affected by the regional water crisis and no effective dialogue can take place without their involvement.

Most of the campaign activities are taking place in Sindh’s poorest districts Badin and Thatta where needs are greatest and local resources to meet them are scarcest. Very little has been done in the efforts to rehabilitate the region and to promote sustainable development. Thus, the direct beneficiaries of the project are the fishing communities.