How Indus Canal Diversions Are Worsening Water Scarcity in Sindh and Threatening Mangrove Ecosystems
How Indus Canal Diversions Are Worsening Water Scarcity in Sindh and Threatening Mangrove Ecosystems 1. Introduction The Indus River , often called the lifeline of Sindh, plays a pivotal role in sustaining the province's agricultural, ecological, and social systems. However, diversifying its waters through extensive canal projects has exacerbated water scarcity in Sindh, posing severe threats to its agricultural economy and fragile ecosystems. Sindh, the lower riparian region of the Indus Basin, already suffers from an inequitable water distribution. Reports indicate that Sindh receives 20% less water than its allocated share under the 1991 Indus Water Accord, with downstream areas like Badin and Thatta facing acute shortages. This reduced flow has led to seawater intrusion into fertile lands and a significant decline in freshwater reaching the Indus Delta, causing a 75% reduction in flow and affecting nearly 1.2 million acres of agricultural land. Sind faces shortage . ...