ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF HALEJI LAKE AND PROPOSED PROJECT

Prof. Dr. Shahabuddin Mughal, Director, Sindh Development Studies Centre (SDSC), University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Email: [email protected]

SUMMARY

Haleji Lake is situated between the arid and irrigated belts of district Thatta, about 88 kilometers from Karachi, and spread over (4.3 square) 18 kilometers.

Haleji Lake had been a natural lake, developed as water reservoir in 1940, with a strong capacity of ten thousand million gallons (10,000/mg), to fulfill drinking water needs for Karachi and local population.

Haleji lake used to supply 50 million gallons daily (mgd) of water to Karachi and 0.1 mgd to local population of the arid belt. Besides, the lake had been functioning as a most important and an emergency Water Reservoir in the scheme of Karachi bulk water supply system of Indus River Sources (Indus Source)

The lake had been a very beautiful picnic place for Karachi and tourists all over the world.

Haleji Lake, being situated on the Indus flyway rout of migratory waterfowls of the cold regions, was brought up on the Ramsar list of Wetlands in the Ramsar convention Agreement, signed by the Pakistan Government in 1976.

In 1977, at the insistence of Sindh Wildlife Management Board (SWMB)/ Wildlife department Sindh, Haleji Lake was declared as “Haleji Wildlife Sanctuary”, on the ground to protect the migratory waterfowls in the lake, more safely. Therefore, the annual commercial fishing rights of KWSB were banned, no outlet of fish stock directed, and the collaboration of SWMB staff was allowed in the watch and ward duties with the KWSB staff.

However, after sometime, the local officials of SWMB, with the collaboration of local CBA leaders of KWSB, started the illegal fishing of the Haleji lake fish stock for their personal gain. and the malpractice has been in vogue since last 21 years at the Haleji lake.

In so far as, due to the massive commercial over-fishing, excessive hunting of the precious species and the misappropriation of huge funds, donated for the conservation of the Ramsar site (Haleji Lake), by the officials of SWMB, the food-web (food-chain) of Haleji Lake got terminated. Consequently, in 1995, Haleji Lake reached at the Eutrophic level (Excessive weed growth and water pollution)

Moreover, in 1992, the conflicts between KWSB and SWMB officials grew greater, on the fish wealth of Haleji Lake. It was therefore, the Sindh Assembly (Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah) made an amendment in the Sindh Wildlife protection ordinance 1972, called the Sindh Wildlife protection (Amendment) Act 1993, under which, the fish (of Haleji Lake) was declared as wildlife specie and went under the direct protection of SWMB. But, even then, SWMB could not restore the terminated food-chain (ecosystem) of Haleji Lake, during the last 8 years. Thus, since 1995, the beneficial use of Haleji Lake is prevented for all

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) OF HALEJI LAKE

1. Haleji Lake used to supply 50 mgd of water to Karachi. But due to the water pollution of the lake, KWSB has suspended the supply from Haleji Lake since 1995. and fulfilling the water needs from other sources, temporarily. (Note: in 1992, KWSB completed its separate bulk water supply channel, with 600 mgd, from Kinjhar lake reservoir to Gujjo Head works (K.B.Canal). and, the Haleji Lake Reservoir remained with the irrigation Dept. net work. That, for the time being, brought Haleji lake reservoir at a Secondary Position (Only an Emergency Water Reservoir), in the Scheme of Karachi bulk water supply system of Indus source. However, at present the city’s water needs are estimated at 700 mgd, as against the 350 mgd in 1992. and due to the dry spell in the catchment area of hub Dam since last 3 years, the supply from Hub Dam to Karachi is reduced from 100 mgd to 20 mg per week and about to halt. Thus, the supply of whole Karachi division is put on the Indus source. Whereas, the K.G Canal can afford only 600 mgd to Karachi).
2. Haleji lake, with a storage capacity of 10,000/ mg has had been functioning as a most important and an “Emergency water Reservoir” in the scheme of Karachi bulk water supply system of Indus source. But, due to the increasing weed growth in Haleji lake, the storage capacity of the lake has been considerably decreased from 10,000/mg to 6000/mg and decreasing proportionally towards the collapse (Vegetation occupy space). Thus, KWSB is near to lose the most important and the emergency water reservoir of the Indus source.
3. Haleji lake is regarded as one of the Ramsar site (World heritage site), a most important wintering place of the migratory water fowls in Eurasia. It was therefore, the Haleji Lake was declared as Haleji wildlife sanctuary to protect the migratory waterfowls in the lake, more safely. But, due to the indiscriminate commercial hunting of the migratory waterfowl species through the SWMB officials, the number ot the visiting bird varieties is considerably reduced from 222in 70s and 80s to 80 in 90s, and the quantity of the birds, is reduced from 3 lack to thousand only at the lake, reputed as “Bird Lovers Paradise”. Thus, the matter is being rendered as a matter of great shame for the country.
4. Haleji Lake rests between the arid and irrigated belts of the tehsils, Thatta and Mirpur sakro. Almost 50 thousand population of the arid belt, including railway stations: Jungshahi and Ishaque Koh, use to draw 0.5 mgd of drinking water from Haleji Lake. However, to drinking the polluted water of Haleji Lake, the gastro intestinal diseases (water borne diseases) are broke out in the arid vicinity of the lake. Each family of 8 persons has been spending rupees one thousand per month. Thus, collectively, Rs. 6.2 million per month are being spent on the medicines by the poor population of the arid belt since 1995, besides the future health hazards.
5. the ultimate seepage, of Haleji lake and its contributing canals (seepage channels), has slowly and gradually raised the underground water level of the agricultural lands, to the extent that, about 10 thousand acres, in the immediate vicinity of Haleji lake and its seepage channels (so called Haleji wildlife sanctuary), are become unproductive (waste land) and the per acre yield of about 10 thousand acres, of the adjoining area, is decreased to 50% and declining proportionally. Thus, the water logging/water salinity has worsened the socio-economic conditions of the people residing since fore father in the area.
6. The seepage channels (out fall drains) of Haleji lake run over 20 kms from Haleji lake to Gharo Creek (Arabian sea). Since the origin of Haleji Lake Reservoir, neither KWSB nor SWMB repaired/maintained the seepage channels of the still saline waters-livestock breeding has had been a mean of subsistence of about 75% local population of the adjoining area. Thus, to drinking the saline waters of seepage channels, the livestock breeding (sector) has been diminishing returns since a long. That has brought a vast unemployment (abject poverty) in the area. In so far as, the incidents of snatching& robberies are increased at Haleji Lake and, it has been one of the reasons that tourists have stopped visiting the lake since a long.
7. However, besides the abject poverty, deteriorating law & order conditions and loss of a considerable amount (foreign exchange) from tourism, the Eco- system (biodiversity) of the whole area is going to be destroyed to and irremediable extent. (still waters run deep than flowing waters).

REMEDIAL MEASURES

TO CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION OF HALEJI LAKE

Since, the over growth of weeds (Eutrophication) in Haleji lake has been determined the very cause of Haleji lake water pollution and the collapse, excluding the other environmental impacts of the lake. Hence, for the removal (de-weeding) of the excessive weeds from Haleji Lake, the related agencies/departments have been suggesting following remedial measures, since 1995.

1. SWMB: The officials of SWMB have been insisting KWSB to restart mechanical grazing method (de-weeding through machines) in Haleji lake. And, they don’t consider or understand the terminated food-web (food-chain) of the lake).
2. KWSB: The officials of KWSB (Bulk Water) have observed that, for such a hung weed quantity and increasing weed growth, the mechanical grazing method would be ineffective and very costly, and KWSB can’t afford the funds. [Although the officials of KWSB may not understand the sensitive composition of the food-chain of a trophic lake (Haleji Lake), but they know that for the elimination of excessive weeds in Haleji Lake their predecessors had used the grass fish method (de-weeding through fish species) in 1964, successfully. Whereas, at present they don’t suggest the grass-fish method due to the unfavorable circumstances (certain failure), and kept silence].
3. Conservationists & Environmentalists: The local & world nature conservationists & Environmentalists came forward in 1997, and observed that the food-chain of haleji lake has got terminated. They suggested the involvement of local NGO in Haleji lake affairs, in order to cope the corruption at grassroots level and restore the balanced food-chain of the lake. But SWMB officials refused the suggestion and kept insisting for mechanical grazing method by KWSB.
4. Society for conservation and environmental protection-Thatta, a local NGO, observed the mechanical grazing method an outdated, and a futile practice until and unless the measures for the balanced food-chain of the lake are not initiated altogether. And the society suggested and offered services for the grass-fish method (de-wedding through natural method), commonly being used for the elimination of excessive weeds in water reservoirs and lakes of the country. However, the Chief Engineer KWSB (Bulk Water) gave consent but then conservator of SWMB did not agree and stood persisting for the mechanical grazing method by the KWSB. (please refer a comparative study of the mechanical grazing method and the grass-fish method).

However, as the officials of SWMB have been very influential officials in Sindh Govt. they use to arrange the illegal hunting/shooting games in the protected areas for every succeeding landed aristocracy and the top bureaucracy of Sindh Govt. and in return they use to receive expensive favor (gifts) from them. Thus, the exploitation of Haleji lake resources (fish stock, water fowl stock, precious species and funds) have been one of the gifts for SWBM officials, availing since last 21 years at Haleji lake. And, through the amendment (Sindh wildlife protection (Amendment) Act, 1993), a legal cover was provided to the corruption of SWMB officials at the Haleji Lake. It was therefore, neither KWSB nor local or world nature conservation organization could stop the corruption of SWMB officials at Haleji Lake. In so far as, since 1995, the poor MD KWSB used to make promises in every winter to start the mechanical grazing method in summer, but the summer did not come, so far. Because, according to the bulk water officials, KWSB has no such funds now to please the SWMB officials on the behalf of the hunting-shooting fond landed aristocracy & bureaucracy of Sindh Govt. who, in fact, have depleted wildlife from game reserves (Rural Sindh) and Dwindled the number in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.

MECHANICAL GRAZING METHOD

The mechanical grazing method consists: weed-cutter machines, waves and labour. The weed-cutter machines used to cut weeds, currents help in bringing (pushing) the weeds to inside the embankments and labour pick the weeds out of the embankments of the lake.

Generally, lakes are characterized by low to medium velocity of currents (from 0.001 to 0.01 meters per second at surface). Currents in the lake are multidirectional as against the flowing waters, which are unidirectional. And under the influence of climatic condition, currents in the lake occur vertical mixing or alternatively.

In the lake mechanical grazing operation is managed in accordance to the direction of currents/climatic conditions, prudently. Since, the aquatic vegetation (weeds) has high nutritive value, therefore, the improper use of method will produce more nutrients and cause excessive weed growth in the lake.

Mechanical grazing method is effectively used in the flowing waters (rivers and canals) than lakes. In the lake, the method is advised for surface plants (weeds) and ineffective for under surface weeds (algal weeds). In 1950s, the grass-fish method (de-wedding through fish species) was introduced to remove algal weeds in the reservoir lakes. Since the mechanical grazing is advised in the flowing water only.

In the food chain terminated fish depleted lakes, as Haleji Lake, the use of mechanical grazing is even a dangerous practice, because it will produce more nutrients and cause multiple re-growth with great speed. That will lead the lake to early disaster (Ecological Disaster).

MECHANICAL GRAZING IN HALEJI LAKE

The mechanical grazing method was originated along with the origin of Haleji Lake. Before 1977 (Haleji wildlife Sanctuary), the KMC/KDA used to auction commercial fishing by the contractors, consequently excessive weed growth, in any part of the lake, the concerned officials used the mechanical grazing method effectively. Thus the balanced food chain (Eco System) of the lake was being maintained under a “balanced economies” and favorable environment.

In 1977 Haleji Lake was declared as “Haleji Wildlife Sanctuary”, the collaboration of SWMB was allowed and the commercial fishing rights of KDA were banned. After 1987 the, conflicts between KWSB and SWMB officials grew greater over the fish wealth of Haleji Lake.

Since on the one hand the officials of SWMB, with the collaboration of local CBA leaders of KWSB, continued the excessive commercial fishing in the lake and on the other hand, KWSB officials reduced funds and the range of the Mechanical Grazing method in the lake and after the amendment of 1993, the SWMB official started massive commercial over fishing/hunting independently, and the KWSB officials put the two old/weed cutters wrecked out of the lake and retired the considerable no. of the weed cleaning workers (labour), under the Golden Handshake Scheme respectively.

GRASS FISH METHOD (GRASS CRAP TECHNOLOGY)

Grass fish is the habitat of Riverine areas of East China & Russia. Grass fish a fish of sweet water and can survive in mild saline waters. The maturity age (spawning age) of grass fish is 5 to 7 years. The fish can survive at the normal temperature between 18’C to 40’C.

Grass fish is famous for its peculiar quality of eating grass and all kinds of aquatic vegetation more than its body weight, daily. And the average growth per year of a fish is 2.5 kg.

Grass fish method is introduced as a Grass crap technology, in about fifty countries of the world. In Pakistan, the Grass fish was firstly imported from China in 1964 by the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) for the elimination of excessive weeds in the Haleji lake reservoir. Due to the success of the method, in the Haleji Lake it was applied in the water reservoirs and lakes of the Islamabad in 1975, successfully. Since, the method is commonly being used as a Grass crap technology for the de-wedding of excessive weeds in the water reservoirs and lakes of the country. And the Grass fish is raised as a commercial food fish is in the irrigated belts of Punjab and Sindh provinces.

Method: The grass fish method consists of the grass fish and some other fish species proportionally The chief ingredients of the method are:

A)   Silver Fish: Silver is foreign fish of riverine areas of China and Russia, use to eat excrements of grass fish and water food species in the water reservoir or lake.

B)    Theli (Cotla Cotla): Theli is a local fish, use to eat phytoplankton, floating plants and excrements of the water fowl species and the grass fish, in the water reservoir or lake.

C)    Rao (Labeo Rohita): Rao is a local fish, use to eat algae, spoiled plants and excrements of the water fowl species and the grass fish, in the water reservoir or lake.

D)   Morakhi (Cirrhina Mirgala): Morakhi is a local fish, called bottom feeder. And use to eat algae, fungi and some organic matters of the plant species at the primary producers level.

E)    Gulfam: Gulfam is habitat of the riverine areas of china and is called bottom feeder. The fish was introduced in Pakistan in the 80s and raises as the food-fish in the country. The fish use to eat spoiled plants, aquatic insects and excrements of grass fish and water fowl species.

However, in operating the grass fish method, the quantity of the fish is used to be determined in accordance to the quantity of the weeds and predators, present in the water reservoir or lake. 

PROPOSED PROJECT OBJECTIVES:

1. To protect and preserve Haleji Lake through community participation;
2. To use grass-fish method (de-wedding by natural method) in the Haleji Lake; and
3. To Aware communities, CBOs / NGOs, representatives, Government Official, electoral Representatives regarding this issue through publications, seminars and social mobilization efforts.

PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS AND BENEFICIARIES:

• Community of the area especially women of the area
• District Government
• Karachi Water Board
• Wild Life Department, Sindh
• Media Persons,
• UNDP - GEF-SGP
• NGOs.

ANTICIPATED OUTPUT OF PROJECT:

• Rehabilitated Haleji Lake during the project period
• Community aware for making friendly environment
• Community, Government and line department will own the Haleji Lake.
• Local and provincial government will implement policies and laws regarding wildlife and forest protection.
• Community will be made responsible to manage their natural resources.
• There will be pressure group in this area there are risk of opposition by the hunter, dealers of this wildlife species, no government agency will oppose this project.
• The overall impact of this project will be positive impact on environment as well as on beneficiaries.
• The weeds will be reduced from the lake by using and operating the grass fish method.
• There will be positive impact on the human beings and the animals of the area by restoration and rehabilitation of Haleji Lake.

PROJECT STRATEGY

The project is intended to be made participatory involving the Donor, Community and the recipient organization. To run the project smoothly to achieve the desired objectives of the following committees would certainly be formed. In each committee one member from the community would be part of the committee.

To recruit the staff, run the project the project committee will be held responsible. To purchase the infrastructure the project committee is responsible. This organization has already consulted the various organizations and groups who feel the same tree in danger. The organization has already identified the NGOs, Government bodies, academia and other local organizations. This organization has developed the directory of Organizations working in this District. So it is not difficult or this organization to identify the local, national as well as international organizations to coordinate and get support from their experiences and skills. This organization will look after and carry on over all activities of this project but the assistance from other local organizations and network will be appreciated. Women who are direct victim of this menace will be made beneficiaries who collect the wood.

Local people and the environment friendly groups who got information with the support of District Government will carry on the project activities after the ending of the funding. Project will be linked with local government, forest department and handed over the Haleji Lake area who will be the totally responsible to protect, preserve and rehabilitation of Haleji Lake and Birds and end the hunting of Birds and fish. SRD will entirely responsible for sustaining the project. Communities will be practically involved for ownership of Haleji Lake and species.

TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY

Organization has skilled manpower having the same project expertise and experience. The activities of the project need the skilled staff to conduct the base line survey, publication of the booklets, pamphlets, posters, to conduct workshops ad seminars, to mobilize the community, to keep record of the project, skilled persons for reporting and finally the persons for monitoring and evaluation. The organization has already worked on various projects successfully. So the many members of the organization are prepared to work on this project successfully. If the GEF provides assistance in all above said activities, this will be the lesson and learning for this organization. GEF is voluntarily invited to monitor the ongoing of the project activities. This will help the NGO to achieve the objectives successfully. In the data collection the surrounding area of the Lake will be contacted and information will be got. Other NGOs, which are working in the fields of environment, will be coordinated and contacted to get the benefit from their experience. The advertisement will be published in local newspapers; poster and handouts will be distributed to invite the experiences of the said people and institution.

ANTICIPATED RESULTS

• The overall impact of this project will be positive impact on environment as well as on beneficiaries.
• The weeds will be reducing from the lake by using and operating the grass fish method.
• There will be positive impact of this project on human beings and the animals of said area by restoration and rehabilitation of Haleji Lake.