Canal mishap

The canal controversy is refusing to die down. Many in Sindh are protesting what they see as an unjust act that will only compound the province’s water woes. Climate change has already put our water resources under unprecedented strain and we must use available water resources efficiently and justly. Water conservation is need of the hour. Regardless of the merits of the canal project, it must be pointed out that no proper work is done to educate the people whenever a large project is launched in this country. As such, most are totally uninformed about the pros and cons about a particular policy when it is announced.

This leaves the field open for both reasonable critics who oppose the projects and also those with vested interests who can fill the vacuum with misinformation. I personally think that the canal project will eventually be abandoned due to the strong opposition against it. But, sadly, the damage to the national fabric and in terms of the resources wasted on the project and the businesses that have suffered due to the protests against it, is likely to be permanent.

Gulsher Panhwer

Johi