Growers urge Sindh to revitalise old canals, improve water governance

HYDERABAD: The old irrigation system built in 1932 is no longer suitable in 2017 due to the many changes, both manmade and natural, that have taken place. Hence, it should be revived to address the problems of growers, rural communities, and livestock to maintain the ecosystem.

This came under discussion at a dialogue with Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) and stakeholders on 'Water Management Challenges and Remedies', which attracted leading growers, agriculture extension department officials, researchers, and civil society members.

The programme was organised late Thursday evening by Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO). SPO is collaborating with SIDA, growers, relevant government departments and local communities residing on Akram Wah (canal) to improve water distribution system and avoid the loss of soil fertility.

The canal, which was designed and built in 1962 with 4,100 cusecs capacity, travels 80 kilometres from Kotri Barrage to irrigate 0.4 million acres located in Badin district's tail-end area, where the government had leased out pieces of lands to communities five decades ago.

The beneficiaries were brought from different areas to settle them at the new destination, where they established small villages and started cultivating the lands. However, after some years, people with political backing also starting claiming share from Akram Wah in Hyderabad and Tando Muhammad Khan districts.

Though initially there were 137 watercourses registered with the irrigation department on Akram Wah, now hardly 82 watercourses are functional, and the rest neither have proper share nor the government’s attention.

Communities residing on both sides of Akram Wah from Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, to Badin, are crying for drinking water and also demanding the government to build channels to drain out saline water and save the fertile lands.

Speakers pointed out that the British government, while designing huge irrigation systems had set rules to use 60 percent lands for summer crops and 40 percent for winter crops. This helped maintain soil fertility naturally. “We have violated the set rules and are cultivating the entire land with multiple crops, which has created problems,” they said.

They emphasised on conducting studies on each canal to see possibilities to save lands, lives and livelihoods of communities.

Zahid Bhurgari, representing Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, the major grower body and member Nara Canal Area Water Board, said, “When we say 70 percent of the population is associated with agriculture, we must realise that presently their lives and livelihoods are at risk because of water shortage, unequal water distribution, increasing contamination in water, and carelessness on the side of the government."

He pointed out to the seepage in canals which resulted in mixing saline water and contamination of ponds, hand pumps and wells.

"I have already given a detailed presentation before Sindh chief minister to resolve the issues faced by growers. I can show evidences of manipulation of funds in the name of development and renovation of canals and water systems," Bhurgari said.

Earlier, community women from Hyderabad district expressed concerns over how seepage in canals has destroyed their family lands, effected crop yield, and polluted water sources.

Rizwana Halepoto, a land owner, said, "In monsoon and during winter rainfalls we lose communication with rest of the world, because of standing water all around."

Omar Farooq Chairman Left Bank Canal Area Water Board (Akram Wah and Phuleli canal system) said apart from the local population, at least 20 million livestock also depended on Akram Wah for drinking water.

He said constant neglect of the authorities might cause colossal loss to agriculture and widespread displacement of communities.

Mustafa Baloch, head of SPO Hyderabad region, said they wanted the provincial government to ensure equal water distribution under SIDA Act 1997 and Sindh Water Management Ordinance 2002. He said they were mobilizing tail-end communities, especially women to play a role in decision-making.

He said the consultation of rural farmers must be ensured while designing policies and legislation, giving priority to their suggestions.

He said activation of farmers organisations on canals could bring change and ensure water governance. The SIDA is working on three canals out of the total 14 canals in Sindh. They have formed farmers’ organisations (FOs) to resolve issues on their own while respecting each other to take equal share of water.

Philippe Floch, representing UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) participated as an observer. SIDA managing director Muhammad Khan Nizamani, Abdul Ikhlas of Agriculture Extension Department, Nazir Essani, M Perkash Advocate, peasant rights activist Punhal Sario, Pervez Banbhan and others also spoke on the occasion.