Revista Sextante

Coastal Land Degradation, Seawater Intrusion and Delta Erosion Mechanism in Thatta and Sujawal Sindh Pakistan

Mukhtiar Ahmed Mahar

Professor, Centre for coastal and Deltaic Studies, Sindh University Campus Thatta

Sanaullah

Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Sindh Pakistan

Muhammad Farooq Buledi

Department of Coastal and Marine sciences, University of Sindh Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan

Hameer Rebari

Department of Coastal and Marine sciences, University of Sindh Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan

Aakash Bozdar

Office of Deputy Commissioner Sujawal, Sindh Pakistan

Abdul Rauf Odho

Department of Coastal and Marine sciences, University of Sindh Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan

Abu Bakar Buledi

Department of Coastal and Marine sciences, University of Sindh Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan

Abdul Khalique

Department of Coastal and Marine sciences, University of Sindh Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan

Bakhtawar Shaikh

Department of Coastal and Marine sciences, University of Sindh Jamshoro Sindh Pakistan

Keywords: Seawater intrusion, Sindh coastal zone management, Indus delta shrinking, costal land degradation, coastal land erosion

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Abstract

The coastal line of Thatta and Sujawal on the left and right sides of Indus River is about 185 km. Thatta district occupies 133 km and Sujawal coastal area approximately 52 km left side of the Indus River. It is too difficult to calculate the proper figure of seawater intrusion and coastal erosion at Thatta and Sujawal coastal area. However, according to revenue data of Thatta district about 52 dehs with area 170,198 acres are significantly affected by seawater intrusion. About 23,930 acres have been submerged in 14 dehs in Mirpur Sakro. In Ghorabari, 07 dehs have lost a total of 32,060 acres to the advancing sea, making the situation equally bad. The most damage has been felt in Keti Bunder, where 114,208 acres are currently underwater and an astounding 31 dehs have been impacted. The data received from district administration Sujawal shows 707,352 acres out of 1,805,617 are destroyed by seawater, and 81 dehs out of 256 dehs are partially eroded and flooded. The taluka wise details indicated as in taluka Kharo Chhan area has a saline potential under sea incursion with 31 dehs under seawater intrusion with incredible 173,210 acres (90.87%) out of total number 190,610 acres, only 17,400 (9.13%) acres of its barren land mass remain after in the taluka, the dehs are; Karfully, Leepto, Thori, Palki, Moosa, Authrki, Mutni, Lailpur, Chotkiyon, Takro, Rappar, Kenjhar, Padwari, Shore, Chorgujo, Joshewari, Ghorah, Meeran, Kun, Tango, Dhoodhati, Takro, Warasiyo, Kalikpot, Garho, Pakhiaro, Eracho, Nind, Adhyari, Lakhogot and Sultan Pur. Similarly, 34 Dehs and 534,142 acres of taluka Shah Bunder merged in seawater intrusion out of total number of 92 dehs and 735,634 acres, only 201,492 (27.39%) acres are productive in nature, the effected dehs are; Shah Bunder, Khumbhati, Ladhai pato, Qasim Soomro, Lari Sanhro, Suhpur, Thul, Jhalyoon, Leyari, Khanai, Warai, Allah Dino Wada, Pir Jani Shah, Gul Muhammad Jakhani, Ukerpur, Karsia, Wari, Nabi Bux Jakhani, Bagh Deh, Pehlo Hindo, Gujjo, Babli, Bagh Bahar, Takio Sanyo Shah, Dhatoria,  Kathore, Purano Deero, Shah Mehro, Bagh Wah, Hajia, Imam Bux, Umer Jawan, Morlo and Bux Ali Kalhoro. In taluka Jati, 16 dehs out of 133 and 292254 acres out of 879,373 are merged currently under seawater, or 33.23%. Effected dehs of taluka Jati; Gandho, Sari, Lakha, Oranga, Chalko, Dhang, Mehri, Aapan, Lass, Gadap, Chan Belo, Chubatti, Jhim, Toberro, Hetman and Doohar. Therefore, the seawater affected the area in district Thatta about 688.766 km² while in Sujawal district the area of about 2,862.81 km² damaged which was calculated from different data sources. This has usually occurred with 45 years period from 1979 to 2025, due to insufficient supply of freshwater and nutrient solid budget through the River Indus which is drastically affected by manmade interventions such as building of dams, barrages and diversions of freshwater through canals someone else sides. If situation remains same as it has been for the last 30 years, then the Indus delta will lose its actual position. The national and international authorities are urged to ensure the ecological flow of freshwater into River Indus from Kotri downstream to save the Indus delta ecosystem. The Sindh Forest department took some initiatives for mangrove plantation in Karachi and Thatta zones that is clear indication of restoration mechanism. But the situation at Sujawal and Badin is quite difficult which needs strong attention.